Families can expect to reel in a big catch these school holidays, with more than 35,000 catchable rainbow trout stocked into lakes across Victoria, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny and Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage have stocked Yarrambat Lake with 1000 catchable rainbow trout so keen anglers in Melbourne's northern suburbs won't be telling stories about the one that got away.
Yarrambat has had its previous allocation almost doubled in 2023 due to the popularity of fishing among families in the growing area.
The annual school holiday stocking program forms part of a record-breaking stocking effort funded by the Labor Government's $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture - supported by recreational fishing licence fees.
The program complements the commitment to deliver 95,000 Little Angler Kits to Victorian primary school students next term, encouraging more kids to fish with family.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has stocked more than 26 million fish in the past three years to ensure fishing is great all year round.
More than 80 Family Fishing Lakes, most of which were also stocked ahead of the mid-year school holidays, will share in the good times with trout grown at the VFA's Snobs Creek hatchery near Eildon.
From Rutherglen's King Lake to Ess Lagoon in Casterton, Lake Hyland in Churchill and Albert Park Lake in the heart of Melbourne, budding anglers can begin their fishing journey at family-friendly waters - many of which boast all-abilities access including platforms or pontoons, walking tracks, playgrounds and facilities like barbecues.
The stocked rainbow trout are ideal for newcomers as they take a variety of widely available baits like worms or PowerBait.
For the full list of waterways stocked ahead of these holidays, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout. In Family Fishing Lakes, a daily bag limit of five trout applies, of which only two trout can exceed 35 centimetres.
More information about bag and size limits, permitted equipment and licensing can be found in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, available free from most bait and tackle shops, online at vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or via the free 'Vic Fishing' app on your smartphone.
As stated by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny
"The weather's starting to warm up so what better time to grab the kids or grandkids, a few rods and get the next generation hooked on fishing."
"Lakes like Yarrambat will be full of life these holidays and with many featuring facilities like walking tracks, playgrounds and barbecues, you can enjoy the great outdoors with a picnic lunch and maybe even take fresh fish home for dinner."
As stated by Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage
"Yarrambat Lake is incredibly popular with fishers each and every school holidays, and now there'll be nearly twice as many rainbow trout here to bring big smiles to the faces of local fishers and their families."
