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’ve got grants up for grabs so local clubs can host an event – keep reading for more details.
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.
Want to host an event and get funding support?
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.
Fishing clubs - apply for funding now
To help fishing clubs and community groups get involved in Gone Fishing Day and run their own community fishing event, grants of up to $5,000 can be applied for through the Recreational Fishing Small Grants Program. Examples of what funding can be provided for include catering, equipment hire (marquees, toilets, etc.), service providers (e.g. first aid provider, lifeguards, etc.), bait and tackle, promotion (including through digital platforms) and other running costs.
We encourage you to plan a potential event and make an application as soon as possible. Applications for grants to fund Gone Fishing Day events will be considered through until Friday 29 August 2025. The Small Grants Program will remain open year-round for other funding applications.
For groups that are successful in securing a grant, the VFA will also provide a promotional pack which will include community giveaways (eg. stickers, magnets, pens) plus social media and poster templates to promote your Gone Fishing Day 2025 event.
Conditions and Guidelines can be found here.
Click here for the online application form.
Eligible groups include community not-for-profit organisations, fishing clubs/associations, and incorporated bodies/associations in Victoria. For more details on our Small Grants program, click here.
To help promote fishing clubs and the community events, we will be listing them on our web page at a later date. Please send us details about your event to include!
We’re here to help. Any questions, please contact Belinda Lorensini on Belinda.lorensini@vfa.vic.gov.au