In the Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley, the foothills and beyond some of Melbourne’s most popular fishing spots will soon become an angler’s paradise with huge rainbow trout – weighing up to four kilograms each – being stocked across 17 lakes across Vicotria.
Emerald Lake, Don Lake, in Healesville, Lillydale Lake, Liliput Lake Reserve in Pakenham and Quarry Lake in Ferntree Gully are just some of the iconic spots that will soon be home to a good catch.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos announced on 28 August that the restocking across Melbourne will give anglers of all abilities the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime close to home.
“There has never been a better time to throw your line into Melbourne’s lakes,” he said.
The annual stocking of 1,000 enormous rainbow trout is backed by the government’s $96 million package to improve fishing, boating and piers right across the state.
Now in its fourth year, the restocking means anglers in and around Melbourne can catch the same trout that are stocked in Eildon Pondage and Goulburn River, to celebrate the opening of the trout fishing season.
Thousands of smaller rainbow trout – averaging 200 grams each – will be stocked across the state ready for the school holidays.
The 1,000 huge rainbow trout are being stocked currently into the following 17 waterways. The locations are: Albert Park Lake, Berwick Springs Estate Lake, Casey Fields Lake, Caulfield Racecourse Lake, Don Lake in Healesville, Emerald Lake, Garfield Lake , Karkarook Lake, Lilliput Lane Reserve, Lilydale Lake, Navan Park Lake,Pakenham Lake, Rowville Lakes in the Sutton and Hill Lakes, Roxburgh Park Lakes, Spavin Drive Lake in Sunbury, Quarry Lake in Ferntree Gully and Yarrambat Lake.
Aspiring junior anglers will be able to get in on the action using their free Little Angler Kits, which were given to school-aged children to inspire more kids to get outdoors and give fishing a go. Information on what bait they should use and how to rig up is available in the guide that came with the kit.
Minister Dimopoulos said fishing is a great way to get outside and spend time with family and friends in nature.
“You can do this close to home with Melbourne’s most popular lakes stocked ahead of spring,” he said.
For regional Victorians who love to catch trout from the river, the season re-opens on Saturday 7 September.
To celebrate, large rainbow trout will be stocked around Eildon as part of the Goulburn Fishing Festival, which starts on 7 September and the Ballarat Fishing Festival starts on the same day at Lake Wendouree.
