General News
21 September, 2022
Rainbow Trout released
FAMILIES are encouraged to wet a line during school holidays after the State Government restocked almost 7000 catchable size rainbow trout into 23 lakes across the region.
FAMILIES are encouraged to wet a line during school holidays after the State Government restocked almost 7000 catchable size rainbow trout into 23 lakes across the region.
The stockings, from Geelong to Casterton and up to Murtoa, are part of almost 35,000 fish going into more than 70 lakes across the state, just in time for the end of term.
Stocked waters in western Victoria for the September school holidays include:
Mortlake’s Tea Tree Lake (300);
Cobden Lake (300);
Pertobe Lake (450);
Simpson Rec Reserve Lake (300); and
Lismore Golf Club Dam (300).
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney encouraged locals to enjoy a day on the lake.
“The fish stockings in Western Victoria are a wonderful outcome for the community, and we can’t wait to see families head to water these school holidays,” she said.
The state-wide fish stocking blitz was funded under the recreational fishing licence fees and the Andrews Labor Government’s $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan to get more people fishing, more often.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the State Government saw the program as an opportunity to encourage the community to enjoy the outdoors.
“We’re giving Victorians 35,000 reasons to wet a line over the school holidays and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,”she said.
The family-friendly waterways provide the perfect opportunity for those new to fishing to give it a go as most feature fishing platforms, bankside tracks and picnic areas, which create safe and convenient access for families.
Rainbow trout are perfect for kids or newcomers to the pastime because they are easy to catch and take a range of bait such as worms and Powerbait, in addition to lures.
The trout were grown by the Victorian Fisheries Authority at its Snobs Creek hatchery, which helped to stock a record-breaking 10 million fish last season including nearly two million trout and salmon.
In Family Fishing Lakes, a daily bag limitof five trout applies, of which only two trout can exceed 35cm.
For the state-wide list of stocked waters these holidays visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout.