Ballarat Fishing Festival 2026

Celebrate the opening of river trout season on Saturday 5 September 2026 by attending the annual Ballarat Fishing Festival! Now in it's 11th year, this family-friendly event on the banks of Lake Wendouree has so much to offer.

Details

When: Saturday 5 September 2026

Where: Windmill Drive, Lake Wendouree

Time: 9 am - 2 pm

Activities

• Help our Snobs Creek hatchery team stock Lake Wendouree with catchable-size trout.
• Kids fishing clinics with bait and tackle provided, guided by Fishcare. Bookings essential!  Register here.
• Fly fishing lessons for teenagers and adults, guided by the Ballarat Fly Fishers Club. Register here.
• Delicious fish cooking demonstrations by MasterChef Australia Semi-Finalist Tim Bone.
• Take a free tour of the Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society hatchery, which has been raising trout in the region for more than 150 years.
• Check out the display of freshwater fishing boats.
• Get some tips in the art of fly tying from Ballarat Fly Fishers Club members and learn about the insect life that the flies imitate.
• Chat to our Fisheries Officers and leaders from the Women in Recreational Fishing & Boating network (WIRFAB).
• BBQ and coffee van for refreshments.

The 2026 trout and salmon closed season in rivers and streams is from Tuesday 9 June until Friday 4 September inclusive. The first open day is on Saturday 5 September 2026.