First ever fish stocking at Kings Billabong
27 February 2018
For the first time, Kings Billabong near Mildura has been stocked with 20,000 Murray cod to improve recreational fishing opportunities across the Mallee region.
A further 20,000 golden perch fingerlings and 40,000 silver perch will be stocked on Wednesday, creating an exciting new freshwater fishery on the doorstep of Mildura and bringing the total native fish stocked to 80,000.
The fish stocking is all part of the State Government's Target One Million plan, which is investing a record $46 million to increase participation to one million anglers by 2020.
Kings Billabong is situated eight kilometres from Mildura and is popular with nature lovers including bushwalkers, birdwatchers, canoeists, campers and, in years to come, anglers.
The fingerling fish, averaging 1 gram each and 2-3cm when released, will take three to four years to reach catchable size.
More fish stockings with these three native species are planned each summer to add depth to the developing fishery.
Target One Million is also improving angler access and facilities by building fishing platforms, jetties and fish cleaning tables, helping angling clubs attract new members, saving the iconic Lake Toolondo near Horsham, and creating new native fisheries such as Rocklands Reservoir.
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
"Creating new fisheries like Kings Billabong is at the heart of our Target One Million plan and will help us increase fish stocking to 5 million."
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
"We are passionate about getting more people fishing more often, and this first ever stocking at Kings Billabong does exactly that. We look forward to watching the fishery flourish and anglers flock to the region to wet a line."
Quote attributable to chair of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation Janine Wilson
"Indigenous people of the Millewa Mallee region have enjoyed the billabong's healthy and productive wetland for thousands of years with shell middens and scar trees indicating a lifestyle celebrated on its banks."