With the arrival of some warmer weather, keen anglers in the region may be looking to pull the rods out of the shed and start searching our local waterways in hope of a nibble.
To help support this recreational activity, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) have an extensive program of fish stocking, which sees the release of fish stocks to grow, and perhaps end up on the end of a fishing line.
Our local HRCC area is host to some great fishing spots. Here is what has been released in some of the waterways in our municipality this year:
Taylors Lake – Golden perch in March, Murray cod in February
Green Lake – Golden perch in February
Police Paddock Dams – Rainbow trout in September, rainbow trout in June
Wimmera River – Golden perch and silver perch in February
Miga Lake – Golden perch in March
In neighbouring local government areas, the following waterways have also received fish stocks this year:
Bellfield Reservoir – Rainbow trout and brown trout in July, golden perch in March and Murray cod in February.
Lake Bolac – Rainbow trout in July
Lake Charlegrark – Murray cod in March
Lake Lascelles – Golden perch in April and silver perch in February
Rocklands Reservoir – Murray cod in July and June, golden perch in March, and Murray cod in January and February
Lake Wallace – Rainbow trout and brown trout in August
Wartook Lake – Brown trout in August and rainbow trout in July
Yarriambiak Creek – Golden perch in April
The sizes of the stocks released in these water bodies range between 10cm and fingerling size at time of release.
For those not already familiar with the regions angling options, the VFA have a list of Wimmera Angling Waters. This list provides notes on each location including fish species and access points.
It is also important to be familiar with the latest edition of the Recreational Fishing Guide to ensure you know the size and catch limits and other regulations in place to help you act within the law when fishing.
Another key step to staying within the law when it comes to fishing, it to make sure you have an up to date license. To obtain a fishing license, people can visit the VFA website.
