Silver and gold for Gone Fishing Day in Shepparton
11 October 2018
Anglers celebrating Gone Fishing Day at Victoria Park Lake on Sunday will have a great chance of reeling in a catch thanks to the stocking of 70 large golden and silver perch today.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford released 20 of the fish today to promote the free event being hosted by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) from 11:00am-3:00pm.
There’ll be free food too, so bring along your deck chairs and fishing rod to cast in a line with family and friends.
The golden and silver perch being stocked into Victoria Park Lake for the event are all catchable size and will readily take baits and lures.
Better still, as part of Sunday’s events, 50 lucky children will get the chance to release one from the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA) fish stocking truck.
The VFA has stocked around 8 million native fish into 100 waterways over the last three years, including thousands into the Goulburn River around Shepparton, to improve freshwater fishing opportunities and help recover threatened native fish populations.
The Shepparton event on Sunday is one of more than 15 happening right across the state to celebrate National Gone Fishing Day.
To encourage newcomers to try fishing for the first time, a recreational fishing licence will not be required on the day by anyone wetting a line in Victoria.
The event complements the State Government’s Target One Million plan, which is investing a record $46 million to get more people fishing, more often.
The Goulburn Broken (CMA) has delivered a range of projects to improve recreational fishing, including fish habitat improvement in rivers, angler access and facilities, and community events like Gone Fishing Day that promote responsible fishing practises.
Learn more about Gone Fishing Day events at vfa.vic.gov.au/gonefishingday.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“Gone Fishing Day is a wonderful opportunity for Shepparton locals and visiting anglers to get outside, wet a line and enjoy Victoria’s great outdoors.”
“Fishing is a healthy pastime that brings people together – that’s why we’re delivering better facilities, better angler access and more fish stocking.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“This Sunday will have something for everyone – from free food to a chance to reel in a golden or silver Perch or even to just experience our great outdoors. It’s not to be missed.”