Dry conditions blamed for Vic fish deaths

A spike in fish deaths at a Victorian river and lake is nothing sinister - it's just El Nino weather conditions, authorities say.

The Environmental Protection Authority says fish deaths at Avoca River in Charlton and Lake Colac reported earlier this month were caused by the natural drying of waterways and low water flow conditions.

"The prolonged period of below-average rainfall across Victoria has significantly reduced water levels of inland waterways - particularly in the north, northwest and southwest of the state," the EPA's Damien Wells said.