Community
19 September, 2024
No fish restocking for Tea Tree
FISH intended to be stocked at Tea Tree Lake ahead of the school holidays have been redirected to Warrnambool, with the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) citing poor water quality in Mortlake.
Mortlake will miss out on the restocking of 450 rainbow trout ahead of the school holidays, which is funded under the Victorian Government’s Go Fishing Victoria plan by recreational fishing licence fees.
The program is designed to encourage families to get outdoors and enjoy a spot of fishing, however the VFA announced this week Mortlake would not be restocked this week.
Western District Newspapers understands water quality is tested with specialised equipment prior to stocking to ensure the fish are entering suitable conditions.
One element of water quality VFA staff test is the level of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Dissolved oxygen can be lower in water which is stagnant, has high levels of sediment or where blue-green algae is present.
Due to low inflows of water it was determined Simpson Recreation Reserve Lakes, Cobden Lake and Tea Tree Lake in Mortlake all had poor water quality.
The 900 fish which were planned to be restocked across the aforementioned lakes will be instead stocked into Lake Pertobe in Warrnambool, a larger lake with suitable water quality.
“As part of our statewide school holiday program, our Snobs Creek team has been stocking catchable size rainbow trout into waters ahead of the September school holidays,” a VFA spokesperson said.
“Before any stocking activity, we test water quality to ensure fish are entering a safe environment and can thrive. Last week, testing showed water quality at Simpson Lake, Cobden Reserve and Tea Tree Lake was not sufficient for fish to be stocked.
“The fish intended for these lakes will be stocked into Lake Pertobe in Warrnambool, to make sure families in the south west still have a chance to catch a rainbow trout these holidays.”