Recreational fishers are closer to reeling in a big catch as thousands of rainbow trout are stocked into 16 of Melbourne's most popular fishing lakes, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny today joined Member for Sunbury Josh Bull and Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman at Spavin Drive Lake to release trophy-sized trout weighing up to 5 kilograms each, helping to bring many locals and visitors to these destinations.
Fish stocking is funded by recreational fishing licence fees and the Labor Government's $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture. With Victoria releasing a record 26 million in the last three years, recreational fishers across the state can expect to reel in more trout, Murray cod and golden perch.
The pastime is also more accessible than ever with the Government delivering on its commitment to make fishing licences now free for holders of a Victorian Veterans Card and providing Little Angler Kits to the next generation in time for a fun-filled summer holidays.
Over the last week, The Victorian Fisheries Authority has stocked rainbow trout into the following 16 waterways, providing easy and safe land-based access for fishers and their families:
- Albert Park Lake
- Berwick Springs Estate Lake
- Casey Fields Lake
- Caulfield Racecourse Lake
- Don Lake (Healesville)
- Ferntree Gully Quarry
- Garfield Lake
- Karkarook Lake (Moorabbin)
- Lilliput Lane Reserve (Pakenham)
- Lilydale Lake
- Navan Park Lake (Melton)
- Pakenham Lake
- Rowville Lakes (Sutton and Hill Lakes)
- Roxburgh Park Lakes
- Spavin Drive Lake (Sunbury)
- Yarrambat Lake
Regional Victorians can also look forward to another summer of trout fishing when the season re-opens on Saturday, 2 September. To celebrate, large rainbow trout will be stocked around Eildon as part of the Goulburn Fishing Festival on the same day.
Learn more about Melbourne's rainbow trout stocking at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/metrotrout
As stated by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny
"These stockings of trophy-sized rainbow trout are yet another way we're providing more opportunities for families to make lasting memories in the great outdoors by wetting a line at a local lake."
As stated by Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman
"By making fishing licences exempt for holders of the Veterans Card - Victoria, we're creating more recreational and wellbeing opportunities for veterans across the state."
As stated by Member for Sunbury Josh Bull
"The prospect of landing one of these fish inspires even long-time fishing fanatics and so these stockings offer budding fishers in Sunbury an experience they won't soon forget, right here in our local area."
