Three new native fisheries for the Macedon ranges

23 March 2019

Original media release available here.

For the first time ever, the Malmsbury, Upper Coliban and Lauriston Reservoirs have been stocked with Golden Perch and Murray Cod to create three exciting native fisheries for anglers across the Macedon Ranges to enjoy.

Today, Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas celebrated the inaugural stockings by adding another 5,000 Golden Perch into Malmsbury Reservoir.

All three reservoirs received 10,000 Golden Perch last week, with Lauriston also receiving 25,000 large Murray Cod fingerlings weighing 5g each.

This stocking plan is a brand-new venture developed by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) together with local angling clubs, Futurefish Foundation and VR Fish at a recent Vic Fish Stock meeting in Bendigo on March 6.

Stocking more fish into Victorian waterways is a major part of the State Government’s Target One Million plan to get more Victorians fishing, more often.

These reservoirs have historically been managed as trout fisheries, so these native fish stockings are a new commitment implemented as a special treat for anglers.

There are further plans to stock all these waters with more native fish including Silver Perch, Golden Perch and Murray Cod in future. To top it off, Brown Trout stockings will also be increased this winter.

The newly stocked fish will take a few years to reach catchable size, so anglers of all abilities can look forward to some phenomenal trout and cod fishing in the near-future, especially considering that these three reservoirs are on the Target One Million agenda to allow boats and kayaks with electric motors on-water access.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:

“This will create fantastic fishing for both native fish and trout all-year-round. It’s a game changer for these reservoirs.”

“Target One Million boasts many exciting flagship commitments for inland anglers. One of these is to allow anglers to use boats and kayaks with electric motors on many lakes and reservoirs, which include Malmsbury, Lauriston and Upper Coliban.”