Perfect prawning attracts fishers to Lake Tyers
25 March 2022
Lake Tyers in East Gippsland is experiencing its best prawning season in 30 years, with locals and visitors flocking to the region to enjoy the event.
A natural occurrence resulting from the system opening then closing to the sea means millions of prawns have made their way to the lake, congregating in the shallows each night.
Drawing people from across Victoria to Lake Tyers, crowds have been wading in the water on calm nights equipped with dip nets, head torches and prawning lights to scoop up their haul.
With a bag limit of 30 litres per person, keen anglers can walk away with more than enough for a prawn cocktail or two and a gourmet barbecue.
While the best prawning in three decades is a drawcard for visitors, Lake Tyers is also a premier fishing destination with countless options for anglers, including dusky flathead, bream, tailor, and trevally.
Anglers can also try their luck at catching a Golden Tag fish worth up to $10,000, with the State Government extending the competition until 31 December 2022.
Launched in February 2020 to encourage visitation to Gippsland and Victoria's northeast following the season's devastating bushfires, the competition was later expanded statewide to support local businesses following pandemic restrictions.
Hundreds of tagged fish are still uncaught across the state, including in Gippsland waterways such as Mallacoota, Bemm River, Lake Glenmaggie, Gippsland Lakes, Lake Tyers, Blue Rock Dam, Dartmouth Dam, Upper Mitta Mitta River, Tamboon Inlet, the Snowy River, and the Victoria River.
Tagged species include flathead, bream, estuary perch, luderick, King George whiting, silver trevally, tailor, brown and rainbow trout, and Australian bass.
Most fish are worth $2,000; however, there are still some $10,000 fish up for grabs.
The Golden Tag competition provides an outstanding opportunity for locals to wet a line in their favourite spot close to home and encourage recreational fishing tourism, which has enormous economic benefits for communities.
For more information on the Golden Tag details and terms and conditions, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/goldentag.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
"This natural occurrence is not only providing a phenomenal chance to experience the best prawning in 30 years, but it is encouraging people from right across Victoria to visit Gippsland, a region where tourism is significant for local businesses and jobs."
"The extension of our Golden Tag competition is a chance to bring people back to the region while showcasing some of the best fishing opportunities Gippsland offers."