Fish stocked for school holiday fun

The great outdoors: Lakes across Victoria have been stocked with fish ahead of the school holidays. Photo: FILE

AHEAD of this school holidays, about 35,000 trout have been released into Victorian lakes by the state government.

The initiative aims to provide families with a fun and affordable school holiday activity and is supported by the $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Plan and recreational fishing licence fees.

More than 70 lakes across the state have been replenished with fish.

“We know parents are always fishing for fun, healthy and free activities for the school holidays,” Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said.

“Our nation-leading fish stocking program will ensure Victoria’s recreational waterways are brimming with plenty of fish, which will also reel in additional business for local shops and communities.”

Victoria stocks more fish than all other states and territories combined and across 2024 to 2025, at least 10 million fish were released.

Rainbow trout are ideal for beginners to catch. Widely available, low-cost baits can be used, and they can be caught with lures cast and retrieved from the shore.

They have been released into lakes close to residential areas or activity centres.

To see a list of fishing spots, head to vfa.vic.gov.au/holidaytrout.