Families across Western Victoria can look forward to fishing these school holidays with the Andrews Labor Government stocking almost 7,000 catchable size rainbow trout into 23 lakes across the region.
The stockings, from Geelong to Casterton and up to Murtoa, are part of almost 35,000 fish going into more than 70 lakes across the state, just in time for the end of term.
The state-wide fish stocking blitz is funded by recreational fishing licence fees and the Andrews Labor Government’s $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan to get more people fishing, more often.
The family-friendly waterways provide the perfect opportunity for those new to fishing to give it a go as most feature fishing platforms, bankside tracks and picnic areas, which create safe and convenient access for families.
Rainbow trout are perfect for kids or newcomers to the pastime because they are easy to catch and take a range of bait such as worms and Powerbait, and lures too.
The trout were grown by the Victorian Fisheries Authority at its Snobs Creek hatchery, which played a huge part in stocking a record-breaking 10 million fish last season including nearly two million trout and salmon.
Stocked waters in western Victoria for the September school holidays include:
- Alexandra Lake (300)
- Bannockburn Lagoon (300)
- Cato Lake (300)
- Cobden Lake (300)
- Coleraine Lagoon (450)
- Dunkeld Arboretum (200)
- Ess Lagoon (500)
- Haddon Reservoir (200)
- Jubilee Lake – Daylesford (200)
- Lethbridge Lake (300)
- Marma Lake (350)
- Minyip Wetlands (200)
- Old Hamilton Reservoir (400)
- Pertobe Lake (450)
- Police Paddock Dams (250)
- Rokewood Reservoir (300)
- St Augustine’s Water Hole (750)
- Simpson Rec Reserve Lake (300)
- Tea Tree Lake (300)
- The Gong (200)
- Victoria Lakes (500)
- Lismore Golf Club Dam (300)
- Esmond Lake (250)
In Family Fishing Lakes, a daily bag limit of 5 trout applies, of which only 2 trout can exceed 35cm. For the state-wide list of stocked waters these holidays visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“The fish stocking in Western Victoria are a wonderful outcome for the community, and we can’t wait to see families head to water these school holidays.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford
“We’re giving Victorians 35,000 reasons to wet a line over the school holidays and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.”
