Fishing festival for open season

THE Ballarat Fishing Festival is returning next month to mark the opening of trout fishing season.

The all-day free event will be held on Saturday, 3 September at Lake Wendouree and is part of the State Government’s $35 million Go Fishing Victoria initiative.

Minister for Fishing and Boating, Sonya Kilkenny, said the festival will offer ample fishing opportunities for attendees.

“It’s great to have this fishing festival return to Ballarat, providing a wonderful opportunity for keen anglers and kids to try their luck landing their first ever fish with experts on hand and all the gear and bait they need,” she said.

Veteran fishers will be available to teach novices how to catch trout and redfin while prize draws, raffles and children’s activities will also be on offer.

Fishcare and Victorian Fisheries Authority staff will also run a free fishing clinic alongside the event, and rods will be available to take home.

A seafood cooking demonstration will also take place and kids will be able to assist in placing trout grown at Snobs Creek hatchery into Lake Wendouree.

This year’s trout and salmonid season will open on the same day for rivers and streams.