Melbourne lakes set for trout fishing bonanza
28 August 2026
Melbourne anglers are in for an exciting spring, with 1,000 trophy-sized rainbow trout stocked into 17 metropolitan lakes across the city this week.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said the metro “stonker” stockings have proved immensely popular with anglers since they began in 2021.
“From Albert Park Lake and Karkarook Lake to Lilydale Lake and Yarrambat Lake, the stockings provide excellent fishing opportunities close to home,” Mr Dowling said.
“Many of the lakes offer easy shore-based access, walking tracks, playgrounds and picnic facilities, making them ideal destinations for families looking to enjoy the outdoors.”
The initiative forms part of Victoria’s nation-leading fish stocking program, funded by recreational fishing licence fees and the Victorian Government’s $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture. Victoria stocks more fish than all other states and territories combined, supporting local communities, regional economies and outdoor recreation.
These ex-broodstock rainbows – weighing up to 4 kilograms each – take a variety of baits and have been released into Family Fishing Lakes close to Melbourne, offering a great day out for families and fishers alike.
The metropolitan trout release comes just ahead of the traditional trout season opening on Saturday 5 September, with celebrations continuing through events including the Goulburn Fishing Festival and Ballarat Fishing Festival, both featuring family-friendly activities and fishing experiences
“The stocking gives metro fishers the chance to target the same ex-broodstock "stonker" trout that are released into iconic trout fisheries such as the Eildon Pondage and Goulburn River for the opening of the trout season each year,” Mr Dowling said.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority is stocking 1,000 huge rainbow trout into the following 17 waterways:
Waterway | No. of rainbow trout stocked |
Albert Park Lake | 120 |
Casey Fields Lake | 40 |
Caulfield Racecourse Lake | 50 |
Don Lake (Healesville) | 30 |
Emerald Lake | 30 |
Garfield Lake | 10 |
Guru Nanak Lake (Berwick Springs Estate Lake) | 40 |
Karkarook Lake (Moorabbin) | 150 |
Lilliput Lane Reserve (Pakenham) | 10 |
Lilydale Lake | 130 |
Navan Park Lake (Melton) | 30 |
Pakenham Lake | 80 |
Rowville Lakes (Sutton and Hill Lakes) | 40 |
Roxburgh Park Lakes | 30 |
Spavin Drive Lake (Sunbury) | 30 |
Quarry Lake (Ferntree Gully) | 60 |
Yarrambat Lake | 120 |
For regional Victorians who love their trout fishing in rivers, the season re-opens on Saturday 5 September. Large trout will be stocked around Eildon as part of the free Goulburn Fishing Festival (also on 5 September) to celebrate the opening.
The free Ballarat Fishing Festival will be held the same day at Lake Wendouree, and each will feature kids’ fishing clinics, opportunities to release fish and a range of family-friendly activities.