National Gone Fishing Day
Sunday 19 October is National Gone Fishing Day, encouraging Australians to get out on the water with family and friends to celebrate our love of fishing.
It doesn't matter if you haven't fished before, Gone Fishing Day is for everyone!
The theme for 2025 is ‘Fishing for Community’, encouraging everyone to connect with local fishing clubs, participate in fishing competitions or community fishing days, and discover the community and social benefits that fishing generates.
To get in on the fun, you can join an organised fishing event or simply take the family, grab a friend or enjoy some time out for yourself wetting a line.
We’re also planning our own events to mark Gone Fishing Day 2025 and look forward to sharing details soon.
Licence-free day
To make it easier for new anglers to catch a new hobby, a recreational fishing licence will not be required by anyone in Victoria on Sunday 19 October 2025.
Hook a new hobby at these free Gone Fishing Day events
| Location | Organiser | Time | Preregister Required | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenrowan Recreation Reserve | King River & District Fishing Club | 10:00am - 2:00pm | Not needed | Regina Callaway 0432 601 337 r_crama@hotmail.com |
| Lake Marma, Murtoa | Murtoa Angling Club | 7:00am - 12:00pm | Not needed | Shane Wouters 0459 093 397 shanewouter@gmail.com |
| Portland Town Jetty foreshore (opposite Portland Sports Fishing Club) | Portland Sports Fishing Club | 10:00am onwards | Register via Compleat Angler Portland. Visit the store or call 03 5521 1844 | Cameron Slaninka 0421 499 792 trifishing@hotmail.com |
| Ess Lagoon, Casterton | Casterton Angling Society | 10:00am - 3:00pm | Register on arrival to event | Brian Murrell 0488 063 352 brianmurrell@aapt.net.au |
| Psyche Pumps, Kings Billabong, Psyche Bend Road, Irymple | OzFish Unlimited | 9:30am - 3:00pm | Register here | OzFish Sunraysia 1800 431 308 sunraysiachapter@ozfish.org.au |
| Barnetts Road, Howqua Inlet, Lake Eildon | Howqua Angling Clubs Fish Protection Association | 9:00am - 2:00pm | Register via texting Mick Caufield 0417 411 209 | Mick Caulfield 0417 411 209 mick.shower@gmail.com |
| Sandringham Foreshore | Sandringham Anglers Club | 10:00am - 2:00pm | Not needed | Sandringham Anglers Club |
| Fisherman's Beach, Torquay | Torquay Angling Club | 8:00am - 11:00am and 11:00am - 2:00pm | Register here |
Want to host an event?
Fishing clubs and community groups – we’d love you to get involved and host an event in your patch! Fishing clubs and community groups are being encouraged to run their own Gone Fishing Day community fishing events in their local area on 19 October 2025. It could be off a local pier, at one of our Family Fishing Lakes or along one of our many beautiful rivers and creeks.
Gone Fishing Day Grants are now closed
Gone Fishing Day Grants applications closed on 29 August 2025.
Click here for more information on our Recreational Fishing Small Grants Program that runs year-round.
We’re here to help. Any questions, please contact Belinda Lorensini on Belinda.lorensini@vfa.vic.gov.au