Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford has today announced that nearly 70 small lakes across Victoria will be stocked with catchable size rainbow trout during the September school holidays.
The Family Fishing Lakes program aims to improve fishing opportunities for newcomers by stocking lakes across Victoria with 26,000 rainbow trout that have been grown at Snobs Creek hatchery, near Eildon.
Rainbow trout provide beginner anglers with a better chance of catching a fish, and are part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Target One Million plan for recreational fishing that aims to get more people fishing.
Some of the better known Family Fishing Lakes to be stocked include Marysville Lake (450 rainbow trout), Rowville Lakes (550), Lilydale Lake (1800), Karkarook Lake in Moorabbin (1000), Kennington Reservoir in Bendigo (500), Morwell Lake (750), Victoria Lake in Shepparton (600) and Tea Tree Lake in Mortlake (200).
Most of the lakes provide convenient access for families with picnic tables, fishing platforms, bankside tracks and other family friendly facilities.
Anglers are reminded that a daily bag limit of five trout applies in Family Fishing Lakes, of which only two trout can exceed 35cm. For more information about fishing rules refer to the Recreational Fishing Guide, available free from tackle shops, online at or by downloading the free ‘Vic Fishing’ smart phone app.
For a full list of waters stocked with trout for the holidays visit
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“The Andrews Labor Government is investing in recreational fishing, to encourage Victorians to spend more quality time outdoors enjoying this great pastime."
“These stockings of rainbow trout are great for those new to fishing because they were relatively easy to catch and take a variety of baits and lures.”
“With more people fishing more often, we will be well on our way to reach one million anglers by 2020.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021