Families and children can catch a new hobby these school holidays with the stocking of more than 32,000 catchable size rainbow trout into almost 80 waters across Victoria.
The stocking bonanza has been made possible by recreational fishing licence fees, the Andrews Labor Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan to get more people fishing more often, and the Snobs Creek fish hatchery.
Rainbow trout are a great species for inexperienced and new fishers as they’re easy to catch with a wide range of baits and lures and taste great.
Most of the stocked lakes have good access to fishing platforms, walking tracks and picnic areas – creating a safe and convenient environment for people to wet a line.
Stocked waters for these school holidays include Albert Park Lake, Lilydale Lake, Emerald Lake, Spavan Lake in Sunbury, Morwell Lake, Victoria Lake in Shepparton and Hyland Lake in Churchill.
Pakenham Lake, St Augustine’s Water Hole in Geelong, Kennington Reservoir in Bendigo, Darlingsford Lake in Melton, Pertobe Lake in Warrnambool and Yarrambat Lake have also been stocked as part of this program.
For the first time, the VFA has also stocked Rockwood Reservoir, near Cressy in southwest Victoria, with 200 rainbow trout.
Creating new fisheries like Rockwood is at the heart of the Target One Million plan to boost participation, ensuring fishing opportunities in urban and regional centres are close to home and easy to visit.
Casey Fields Lake in Cranbourne and Karkarook Lake in Moorabbin were also stocked with rainbow trout for the school holidays, complementing the release of catchable size native fish like Murray cod and golden perch earlier this year, which delivered on a Target One Million commitment.
A daily bag limit of 5 trout applies to Family Fishing Lakes, of which only 2 trout can exceed 35cm.
For more information about catch limits get hold of the 2019 Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, available free from most tackle shops, online at vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or by downloading the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app.
For the full state-wide list of stocked trout waters these holidays visit vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford
“Our school holiday trout stocking program will see hundreds of kids landing their first-ever fish from a local lake right across metropolitan and regional Victoria.”
“Fishing with family and friends is a wonderful way to get active and enjoy time with the people we love most in Victoria’s great outdoors.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020