Recreational fishers are receiving a welcome stock up of local lakes.
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Ararat’s Green Hill Lake received an influx of 2000 brown trout and 2000 rainbow trout.
A further 8000 rainbow trout were released at Bellfield Reservoir and 10000 at Lake Fyans.
The releases were carried out by Fisheries Victoria.
Western Victorian MP and Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford said would be a benefit to lakes throughout the region.
The initiative is a key part of the Target One Million Plan, which aims to increase participation of anglers to one million by 2020.
The plan was created to foster recreational fishing, which according VRFish is worth $381 million to the regional economy.
“Improving fishing opportunities in waterways like Green Hill Lake and Bellfield Reservoir is a great way to attract newcomers to fishing and grow participation in regional communities,” Ms Pulford said.
“Our Target One Million plan for recreational fishing has also helped fishing clubs attract new members and improve facilities.”
The program has also established a marine stocking program with estuary perch and mulloway, and is ending commercial net fishing in Port Phillip Bay, Ms Pulford said. Further restocking as part of the local lakes program will continue until the end of July and other lakes set to benefit from it include:
- 200 rainbow trout for Goldfields Reservoir, St Arnaud
- 10,000 rainbow trout for Wartook Lake, Halls Gap
- 10,000 brown trout for Wartook Lake, Halls Gap.
- 300 rainbow trout for Alexandra Lake, Ararat.
- 300 rainbow trout for Cato Lake, Stawell.
- 200 rainbow trout for Great Western Racing, Recreation Reserve Lake.
“Fishing is such an important recreational activity for many Victorians and I would much rather see kids casting a line that sitting at home on an ipad,” Ms Pulford said.
“As the Minister responsible, I’m determined that we do our bit to make sure fishing is a fun, safe and rewarding activity for Victorians of all ages.”
