VIC: Holiday trout treats for young anglers

Thousands of ready-to-catch trout are being released into urban lakes across Melbourne and larger rural centres for the September school holidays.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst, said 60 small lakes would be stocked with rainbow trout.

“With the approaching warmer weather, what better time to be outdoors,” Mr Hurst said.

“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the environment and get the kids out of the house.

“These lakes provide an ideal opportunity for kids to experience the sport of fishing.

“Rainbow trout take a variety of baits and lures and provide a range of angling experiences.

“The waters have been selected because they are close to urban centres or regional towns and provide a great opportunity for children to learn about fishing.

“Most also provide easy access with a variety of fishing platforms and bank-side tracks.

“Rainbow trout are relatively easy to catch and the fish being released are advanced yearlings, suitable for immediate capture.

“The number of fish we release varies depending upon the size of the water body and the ease of access.”

Mr Hurst said the stocking program will overlap the school holidays and some waters would not get their quota until early in the first week (see table).

Anglers are reminded that a daily bag limit of five trout applies, of which only two can exceed 35cm.

To find the closest family fishing lake to you, consult the chart below.

Family Fishing Lakes:

Water

Location:

Species

Number Stocked

GIPPSLAND

Heyfield Racecourse Dam

Heyfield

RT

200

Hyland Lake

Churchill

RT

1,000

Morwell Lake

Morwell

RT

750

NORTH-EAST

Allans Flat Dredge Hole

Allans Flat

RT

350

Arboretum Dam

Euroa

RT

200

Cummins Reserve Lake

Yea

RT

200

Eildon Pondage Weir

Eildon

RT

2,000

Felltimber Creek Wetlands

Wodonga

RT

250

Golf Course Dam

Longwood

RT

200

Les Stone Park Lake

Wodonga

RT

100

Marysville Lake

Marysville

RT

450

Mooroopna Rec. Res. Lake

Mooroopna

RT

100

Sambell Lake

Beechworth

RT

750

Stanley Ditch Dam

Stanley

RT

500

Victoria Lake

Shepparton

RT

300

Wodonga Racecourse Lake

Wodonga

RT

1,000

Yalumba Drive Lake

Wodonga

RT

100

NORTH WEST

Foletti Caravan Park Lake

Donald

RT

300

Forest Lake

Kangaroo Flat

RT

200

Kennington Reservoir

Strathdale

RT

500

St.Arnaud Old Swimming Pool

St. Arnaud

RT

200 

Tchum Lake

Birchip

RT

1,000

Tom Thumb Lake

Eaglehawk

RT

200 

PORT PHILLIP

Bannockburn Lagoon

Bannockburn

RT

250

Casey Fields Lake *

Cranbourne

RT

500

Caulfield Racecourse **

Caulfield

RT

300

Darlingford Lake

Melton

RT

300

Don Lake

Healesville

RT

250

Emerald Lake *

Emerald

RT

500

Hanging Rock Lake

Woodend

RT

300

Jack Roper Reserve *

Campbellfiled

RT

300

Karkarook Lake

Moorabbin

RT

1,000

Lethbridge Lake

Lethbridge

RT

250

Lilydale Lake

Lilydale

RT

800

Navan Park Lake **

Melton

RT

300

Rowville Lakes Sutton L.**

Rowville

RT

400

Rowville Lakes Hill L. **

Rowville

RT

150

Roxburgh Park Lakes *

Roxburgh Park

RT

250

Seagull Lake

Geelong

RT

800

St. Augustines Water Hole

Geelong

RT

400

Yarrambat Lake *

Yarrambat

RT

600

SOUTH WEST

Alexandra Lake

Ararat

RT

200

Calembeen Lake

Creswick

RT

200

Cato Lake

Stawell

RT

300

Cobden Lake

Cobden

RT

100

Coleraine Lagoon

Coleraine

RT

250

Old Dunkeld Arboretum

Dunkeld

RT

200

Esmond Lake

Ballarat

RT

200

Ess Lagoon

Casterton

RT

500

Glenlyon Dam

Glenlyon

RT

200

Great Western Racing Rec Reserve Lake

Great Western

RT

200

Haddon Reservoir

Haddon

RT

200

Jack Emmett Lagoon

Rupanyup

RT

300

Jubilee Lake

Daylesford

RT

200

Minyip Wetlands

Minyip

RT

200

Jubilee Lake

Skipton

RT

250

Nhill Lake

Nhill

RT

200

Old Hamilton Reservoir

Hamilton

RT

200

Police Paddock Dam

Horsham

RT

300

Rabl Park Lake

Murtoa

RT

300

Tea Tree Lake

Mortlake

RT

200

Victoria Lakes

Ballarat

RT

400

* To be stocked on September 26

** To be stocked on September 27