My big catch

Victoria’s huge trout opening is on again in September, with the Goulburn River set to be a major drawcard with 2,000 “stonker” trout to be stocked thanks to the state government.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) would release the giant rainbow trout, boasting a combined weight of seven tonnes, at 11 family-friendly sites near Eildon.

“The release of 2,000 rainbow trout into the Goulburn River was a massive success last year attracting thousands of fishers to the district for opening weekend and many months that followed.”

“Be sure to get along to the Goulburn Fishing Festival for a free tour of the Snobs Creek hatchery, which grows millions of trout and native fish for the state-wide stocking program.”

The stocking is funded by recreational fishing licence fees and the Labor Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan to get more people fishing, more often, in more places.

The bumper stocking was a massive success last year and attracted thousands of keen freshwater fishers providing a boost to the local economy.

This year the Goulburn River between Molesworth and the Eildon Pondage will receive 1,500 big trout, with 500 to be released into the Eildon Pondage itself.

Families heading to the Eildon district can also visit the free Goulburn Fishing Festival on Saturday 7 September, based at the Eildon Community Centre.

Free activities at the Festival will include fishing clinics, fly-fishing lessons, seafood cooking demonstrations and live trout releases into the Pondage.

The event will also boast fishing tackle displays, prizes and raffles, a jumping castle and face painting for the kids, plus the Fisheries education trailer. Fireworks will light up the Eildon Pondage at 7pm to cap off the day.

For more information, including a map of the 11 stocking sites, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/goulburnfishfest.

Meanwhile, if you see or suspect illegal fishing activity any time, phone the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).

Club Corner

If you are an angling club and you wish to let people know what’s going on within your club as well as help promote your club, email [email protected] and we will post your club news here

Photos

I would also like to remind everyone to keep those photos coming in of your big catch! Please forward them to [email protected], with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch.

Anglesea:

• Fishing conditions continue to be poor
• Still a few salmon off local beaches
• A few flathead have also been reported offshore
• The odd gummy shark has also been caught
• A few pinkies

Reports supplied by the Rusty Anglers Anglesea

Barwon Heads

• Still reports of a few snapper offshore
• Reports of small trevally and mulloway and a few pinkies in the river
• Some salmon being caught off the beaches.

Report provided by the Ocean Grove Angling Club

Torquay

• A few King George whiting have been reported
• A few pinkies have also been caught
• Salmon catches continue off local beaches
• Spring Creek still producing bream.

Report provided by Torquay Angling club

Queenscliff:

• St Leonards reports some King George whiting, along with flathead and squid.
• Clifton Springs has whiting, flathead along with some squid
• Queenscliff has reports of whiting, flathead, a few pinkies and squid continuing
• The creek reports consist of a few trevally and salmon being caught
• Swan Bay has reports continuing of a few squid and whiting near the entrance.
• Point Lonsdale reports trevally and salmon
• The White Lady continues to produce a few whiting and squid
• Indented Head reports flathead, King George whiting and squid being reported.