Extra trout stockings boost fishing opportunities

[fishingvic]

Media Release
Friday 16 October 2015 | Media contact: Nick Foster (03) 8392 6254
www.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au

Extra trout stockings boost fishing opportunities

Nearly 28,000 extra trout will be stocked into four Victorian lakes in coming months to boost freshwater fishing opportunities and encourage newcomers to wet a line this spring.
Fisheries Victoria Executive Director, Travis Dowling, said all of the rainbow trout and brown trout would be catchable size, weighing between 200 grams and 1kg each when released.
“The extra fish complement the State Government’s Target One Million plan for recreational fishing, which aims to get more people fishing, more often, by boosting participation to one million anglers by 2020,” Mr Dowling said.
“They also contribute to the plan’s commitment to increase stocking to five million fish per year.
“The Eildon Pondage is the big winner with 22,000 extra rainbow trout, averaging 200 grams each, to be released at regular intervals between now and January. A further 500 bigger rainbow trout, of around 1kg each, will be stocked during Christmas and New Year.
“Closer to Melbourne, Lake Karkarook will receive 800 extra rainbow trout averaging 200g each.
“Pykes Creek Reservoir, near Ballan, will be stocked with 3,000 extra trout, consisting of 1,200 brown trout around 300g each and 1,800 rainbow trout of 200 grams each.
“Devilbend Reservoir, on the Mornington Peninsula, will receive 1,200 extra rainbow trout around 200 grams and 400 brown trout of 300 grams each.
“All four of these lakes feature family friendly facilities, particularly the Eildon Pondage, which is ideal for a weekend getaway and close to accommodation at Eildon or Alexandra.
Mr Dowling said low winter rainfall and drying conditions elsewhere across the state would see some trout stockings redirected to places with more water.
“Several of our planned stockings will not proceed this spring because of falling water levels, but our fisheries managers have tried to keep fish in the district so that local anglers won’t miss out.
“Amongst the beneficiaries for redirected trout will be lakes Gillear (3000), Wartook (7000), Konong Wootong (4000), Rocklands (10000), Aringa (2000), West Barwon (4000), Hamilton (1000), Wurdiboluc (5000) and the Merri River (3000).
“Fisheries Victoria’s fish stocking program, which includes trout and native fish such as Murray cod and golden perch, is funded by recreational fishing licence fees and Target One Million.”
Learn more at www.vic.gov.au/targetonemillion