Lake Nillahcootie duck hunting map

Duck Hunting at Lake Nillahcootie

Recreational duck hunting is permitted in Victoria during the designated duck hunting season.

Duck hunting in Victoria

The Victorian Government, via the Game Management Authority, sets season dates, and manages duck hunting sustainably and bag limits, to ensure the conservation status of game species isn’t threatened.

Goulburn-Murray Water permits duck hunting at many of its water storages during Victoria’s designated duck hunting season.  This includes Lake Nillahcootie.

Caring for Lake Nillahcootie

Lake Nillahcootie is a beautiful natural resource. This duck hunting season, you can help care for the reservoir by:

  • Staying at commercial caravan parks and clubs. Camping is prohibited at GMW managed foreshores and perimeter land.
  • Using gas or electric (where available) barbeques. Campfires are prohibited at GMW reserves, foreshores and lakebed areas.
  • Taking your rubbish home with you. No rubbish services are available at GMW managed recreation reserves and foreshore areas.

Staying safe

Many people use our water storages for a range of activities and it’s important that all visitors, including hunters, consider other members of the public and the environment, by acting in a safe and responsible way.

Public access for any purpose (including duck hunting) is prohibited along GMW’s channel network at all times.

The use of firearms and hunting in public recreation areas and around storage assets is also prohibited. These areas are clearly signed and marked on the water storage map below.

Unsafe behaviour

Irresponsible behaviour at our water storages can affect the enjoyment of other users.

Any irresponsible or unsafe hunting behaviour should be reported to the Game Management Authority by phoning 136 186. All information will be treated in confidence.

Urgent issues relating to the carriage of firearms should be reported to the Victorian Police on 000.

Further information

The Victorian Game Management Authority has developed the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2016-2020, which details responsible and sustainable hunting, and improving hunting opportunities.

The Game Management Authority has also developed a smart phone app to assist hunters this season. It can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.

Lake Nillahcootie Duck Hunting Prohibited Areas

Map showing Lake Nillahcootie with various activity zones. The 'No Duck Hunting' area is marked in pink at the northern end of the lake near Lima South. Yellow zones indicate areas with a 5 knots speed restriction, while blue zones represent unrestricted speed areas. The map highlights boat ramps, public toilets, picnic facilities, camping sites, and BBQ facilities along the lake's perimeter. The Midland Highway runs parallel to the lake's western shore, with key roads such as Youngs Road and Henders Lane connecting to it

Guidelines

Important information:

This map identifies where duck hunting is prohibited on land under control of GMW.

On open waters (such as lakes or swamps), you are not permitted to hunt duck from a motor boat if the motor is running, whether in gear or not.

All hunters must comply with the Firearms Act 1996 and any Acts, regulations or codes that apply to duck hunting

Duck hunting is not permitted:

  • on the channel network
  • outside of the times and dates of the specified duck hunting season

Visitors must:

  • Remove their litter from GMW land and waterways
  • Be aware lake water is not suitable for human consumption
  • Not light fires on GMW managed land
  • Not camp on GMW managed land, with exception of commercial caravan parks. 

Contact details:

  • Urgent issues relating to the carriage and use of firearms should be referred to Victoria Police by dialling 000
  • Information on duck hunting in Victorian waters is available from the Game Management Authority by phoning 136 186 or the Game Management Authority's website

GMW reference DM4158689