Setting A New Trout Stocking Record In Victoria
29 December 2017
Recreational anglers in Victoria are celebrating the release of more than a million trout in 2017 – a new record that will substantially improve freshwater fishing opportunities for keen anglers and their families.
Increasing fish stocking is a cornerstone of the State Government's Target One Million plan, which aims to grow participation in the popular pastime to one million anglers by 2020.
Nearly 140 waters throughout the state shared in the stocking milestone including:
| Lake Toolondo | 16,800 | Lake Burrumbeet | 15,000 |
| Barkers Creek Reservoir | 8,000 | Green Hill Lake | 4,000 |
| Blue Rock Lake | 27,250 | Lake Hume | 69,000 |
| Lake Eppalock | 166,000 | Hepburn Lagoon | 10,000 |
| Lake Bullen Merri | 14,900 | Lake Wendouree | 28,750 |
| Cairn Curran Reservoir | 27,000 | Lake Purrumbete | 32,500 |
| Devilbend Reservoir | 15,000 | Hopkins River | 6,000 |
| Lake Eildon | 83,000 | Tullaroop Reservoir | 53,000 |
| Lake Fyans | 20,000 |
Most of these fish were yearling brown trout, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon grown at the Victorian Fisheries Authority's Snobs Creek hatchery, which has enjoyed record investment to upgrade facilities and production capacity courtesy of fishing licence fees and the Target One Million plan.
The release of native fish has already begun with Australian bass, Estuary perch and Murray cod, then Golden perch.
More than four million native fish are scheduled to be stocked this summer, which when combined with 2017's million trout will deliver on Target One Million's commitment to stock five million fish.
For the full list of waters stocked this year visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/troutstocking2017 or check out the new stocking database for all fish releases at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/database
Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
"2017 has seen fish stocking records tumble for recreational anglers across Victoria and there remains even more to look forward to."
"From historic Lake Tooolondo in our far west, right up to our north east – we aren't leaving any angler dry on their quest to reel in a catch."
"The enormous leap in trout production at Snobs Creek is a credit to dedicated Fisheries staff who are committed to growing, transporting and releasing fish that make a real difference for anglers."