Lovers of fishing and fresh seafood can enjoy their Labour Day long weekend in style at next month's free Hooked on Lakes event on Sunday 9 March.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said this year's festivities had been tuned up with more live music than ever before plus kids fishing clinics and activities, catch and cook demonstrations, a fishing and outdoors swap meet and loads more.
Based at the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Reserve, the free event will run from 10am till 4pm, with live music, food and drinks continuing through until 8pm.
"Lakes Entrance is a fishing and boating haven and Hooked on Lakes provides an ideal opportunity to plan a family trip to East Gippsland," Mr Dowling said.
"There's activities for all ages with kids' clinics to get youngsters hooked on fishing, lots of demonstrations and education, tastings of fresh Victorian seafood, the chance to swap your unused fishing gear and the Pierce Brothers rocking the stage into the night.
"We're also showcasing commercial fishing with tours at the historic Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-Op (LEFCOL) highlighting the importance of the sector to the community."
Accessible via shuttle bus, co-op tours will feature samples, filleting demos and the chance to buy fresh seafood direct from the Bullock Island facility, which also boasts the Off The Wharf café. The café will run a local seafood extravaganza on the Saturday night.
Other activities at Hooked on Lakes this year include:
- Stands selling fresh fish, locally-sourced prawns and cooked seafood including Mitchelson Fisheries
- Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network leaders providing a range of fishing and boating tips as well as guidance on how to get involved with the network
- Fish dissections to discover the fascinating anatomy of popular species
- Expert tips and fishing talks from VFA Ambassador Lee Rayner
- Free 'Come and Try' fishing clinics run by Fishcare and casting clinics for kids
- Kids Zone including craft activities with Fisheries' education team
- Seafood Industry Victoria and an aquaculture hub including Mainstream
- Family-friendly areas to lay down a picnic rug and enjoy the waterfront views.
Hooked on Lakes also is backed by East Gippsland Shire Council and Emergency Recovery Victoria's Local Government Bushfire Recovery Funding.
