Community
17 April, 2024
Fishing milestone
THE Victorian State Government’s record-breaking fish stocking program has again hit a high-water mark with 10 million fish stocked this year, so more recreational fishers can wet a line close to home across the state.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos announced the major milestone last week.
“Our fish stocking program continues to deliver record-breaking results for Victorian anglers and another year of 10 million fish being stocked means great fishing for future generations and attracting more families and friends to every corner of Victoria to enjoy this great activity,” he said.
The government’s $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Plan has backed the Victorian Fisheries Authority to stock more than 26 million fish since 2021.
This year, more than 1.4 million brown and rainbow trout have been stocked in waterways across the state while 7.4 million native Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings are also now in waters for recreational fishers to enjoy.
Local fish stockings in the 2023/24 time frame have included:
Lake Cobden – 300 rainbow trout;
Simpson Recreation Reserve Lakes, 300 rainbow trout;
Lake Elingamite – 10,000 Australian bass, 2000 brown trout and 1500 rainbow trout;
Lake Bullen Merri – 10,000 Australian bass, 25,000 brown trout, a record stocking 90,500 chinook salmon and 10,000 rainbow trout;
Lake Purrumbete – 10,000 brown trout, a record stocking 72,700 chinook salmon and 10,000 rainbow trout.
More Victorians can now also play a part in boosting fish populations across Victoria, with the Victorian Government’s Fish Habitat Improvement Fund program helping recreational fishing groups and larger organisations create better fish habitats in freshwater, marine and estuarine fisheries.