The Loddon River is Victoria's second longest river, stretching an impressive 392 kilometres through the heart of north-central Victoria as part of the Murray-Darling Basin. Rising in the highlands near Daylesford and flowing northward through Bendigo and beyond, the river passes through a diverse range of landscapes — from forested uplands to open agricultural plains — before eventually joining the Murray River system. Along its journey, the Loddon is impounded by two significant reservoirs: Cairn Curran (147,000 ML capacity) and Laanecoorie (12,000 ML capacity), which influence flow regimes and create distinct fishing environments throughout the system. The river is characterized by clean water and abundant timber structure, making it an excellent habitat for both native and introduced species. The surrounding region carries a rich gold-rush history set within box-ironbark forests, and the river corridor offers excellent camping, swimming, and scenic opportunities alongside the fishing.