Families across north east Victoria can catch an exciting new hobby these school holidays thanks to the stocking of almost 8,000 catchable size rainbow trout into 16 lakes across the region and 2,000 stonkers into the Goulburn River.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said the stockings, from Healesville to Wodonga, were amongst 32,000 fish going into more than 80 lakes across the state just in time for school holidays.
The school holiday stockings are part of the Victorian Fisheries Authority goal to stock 10 million fish this year and funded by your recreational fishing licence fees and Go Fishing Victoria, the Victorian Government's $35 million plan to get more people fishing, more often.
Family Fishing Lakes boast good access with waterside platforms, walking tracks, picnic areas and other facilities, creating a wonderful environment for people to breath in some fresh air and exercise whilst wetting a line.
On top of the lake stockings, the Eildon Pondage and Goulburn River between Eildon and Molesworth received 2,000 stonker rainbow trout weighing 4-5kg which are sure to test fishers if they're lucky enough to hook one.
Rainbow trout are perfect for kids or anyone new to fishing because they are easy to catch and take a range of bait such as worms and Powerbait, and lures too. The catchable size rainbow trout for Family Fishing Lakes were grown by the Victorian Fisheries Authority team at their Snobs Creek hatchery, near Eildon.
Family Fishing Lakes in north east Victoria stocked for the September school holidays include:
- Allans Flat Dredge Hole (750)
- Anderson Lake (500)
- Arboretum Dam (300)
- Bartlett Lake (150)
- Eildon Pondage (2,000)
- Felltimber Creek Wetlands (600)
- Glenrowan Rec Reserve Lake (600)
- Longwood Golf Course Dam (300)
- Les Stone Park lake (300)
- Marysville Lake (450)
- Mooroopna Rec Reserve Lake (150)
- Sambell Lake (450)
- Stanley Ditch Dam (500)
- Sumsion Gardens Lake (400)
- Tronah (Top) Harrietville Dredge Hole (400)
- Victoria Lake (750)
A daily bag limit of 5 trout applies to Family Fishing Lakes, 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
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
"Casting a line into a local lake is a great way for families to get some exercise together and enjoy Victoria's great outdoors these school holidays."
"Family Fishing Lakes are a wonderful option because they combine good facilities with safe access and stocked fish that are relatively easy to catch by fishers of all ages and skill levels."
