Bigger and better fishing facilities for the Wimmera

03 August 2018

Original media release available here.

The State Government is helping get more people fishing more often across the Wimmera with better facilities for local angling clubs.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford announced funding for three projects in northwest Victoria that will help more families enjoy one of Victoria’s most loved past-times.

The new projects are part of the 2017-18 Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which reinvests revenue from the sale of fishing licences into worthwhile projects that make a difference across the state.

The program complements the State Government’s Target One Million plan, which is investing a record $46 million, including $9 million from fishing licence fees, to get more people fishing, more often.

The Jeparit Angling Club will receive a grant of $55,500 to install a floating pontoon on the Wimmera River at Jeparit. Stocked with more than 100,000 golden perch fingerlings last summer, the Wimmera River is a productive waterway and very popular with anglers.

The Murtoa Angling Club will receive $31,520 to build a new all-abilities fishing jetty at Lake Marma that will help youngsters make the most of the catchable-size rainbow trout and golden perch fingerlings that are stocked each year.

The third project will be managed by the Hindmarsh Shire and will use $54,700 to install a floating pontoon at Nhill Lake, which receives rainbow trout from the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Snobs Creek hatchery for the September school holidays.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford

“Our inland fisheries are going from strength-to-strength, with coordinated investment to increase angler access, fish stocking and fish habitat.”

Quote attributable to VRFish Chair Rob Loats

“It’s great to see anglers’ own licence fees contributing to projects that will get kids fishing and attract newcomers to the pastime.”

Quote attributable to guide Trevor Holmes

“Target One Million and fishing licence fees have done a lot for inland fisheries including saving Lake Toolondo and stocking a record number of 6 million fish into lakes and rivers across the state.”