West Gippsland men fined over trout fishing incident

23 November 2017

Three men have been charged for taking trout using a firearm and a multi-pronged spear after facing the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The fines were handed down after the men were caught fishing in the Tarago River during the closed season, as a result of an operation by Victorian Fisheries Authority and Victorian Police.

The men, all from the Drouin area pleaded guilty and have each been ordered to pay fines of $1,400. Firearms and equipment has also been forfeited.

The closed trout season in Victoria runs from early June until September. During this time, anglers must not take or possess trout in rivers and streams.

Acting Eastern Regional Supervising Fisheries Officer Bill McCarthy said the closed season is there to protect spawning trout.

Quotes attributable to Mr. McCarthy:

"This is a strong message that this type of activity is not tolerated by the court."

"Regular patrols and targeted operations of this nature will continue into the future."