A community fishing weekend will be held at Hazelwood Pondage on 4 and 5 February 2017 to celebrate barramundi and encourage more people to try their luck wetting a line for these iconic fish.
Permits to fish from boats at Hazelwood will not be required during the weekend, nor beyond March 1 2017, simplifying access and providing everyone with an opportunity to land their own barra.
The event is a partnership between the Latrobe City Council, ENGIE and the Latrobe Valley Yacht Club, which will open its boat ramp near the caravan park to complement the public ramp and improve overall launching capacity.
Stocking barramundi into Hazelwood Pondage is a landmark initiative of the Andrews Labor Government’s Target One Million plan, which aims to get more people fishing, more often, and increase participation to one million anglers by 2020.
To safely carry increased boat traffic, special waterway rules will apply for the weekend including a 5 knot speed limit across the whole Pondage.
Traffic management staff will also be onsite to direct visitors and those wanting to launch boats and park trailers.
The event will run from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February, although boaters can launch prior.
More than 4,000 people made 25,000 applications to boat-fish the Pondage through the ballot process, indicating just how much interest there is in barra in Victoria.
Since opening in December, barramundi over 80cm have been landed by anglers fishing from the shore and aboard boats.
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Agriculture Jacinta Allan
“Recreational fishing is a healthy outdoor pastime the whole family can enjoy. It is good for mental health, good for relationships and good for regional towns that depend on tourism.”
“Through our Target One Million plan, we’ve saved Lake Toolondo, increased fish stocking and put an end to commercial net fishing in Port Phillip Bay.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This is great for our Latrobe Valley communities, and even better news for anglers eager to wet a line. I’d especially encourage local families to join in for a weekend of barratastic adventures kicking off February 4.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020