Have your say on the 2026/27 draft fish stocking plan
With continued support from the State Government, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) continues to commit to the release of over 10 million fish into Victorian waterways for the 2026/27 financial year to enhance recreational fishing opportunities and recover native fish populations throughout the state.
Fish stocking is funded from a combination of recreational fishing licence fees and State Government initiatives, including the Go Fishing and Boating Victoria Plan.
Recreational fishers, angling clubs and associations are invited to provide their feedback on the 2026/27 draft fish stocking plan which details the planned release of 10 million fish, comprised of 12 species, into approximately 247 waters across Victoria between July 2026 and June 2027.
The 2026/27 draft fish stocking plan has been developed by the VFA in conjunction with the recreational fishing community over several decades of annual Vic Fish Stock consultation feedback, angler catches, fish population survey data and fisheries research.
Past fish stocking in Victoria can be found by searching the Fish Stocking Database and by reading the annual Vic Fish Stock reports.
The VFA invites feedback submissions from recreational fishers which help refine the 2026/27 Draft Fish Stocking Plan, to continue to provide exciting and productive recreational fisheries and maximise the rebuilding of native fish populations.
Click here to open the full Draft Fish Stocking plan (PDF)
Key highlights in the 2026-27 draft stocking include:
- New Macquarie perch waters, including Loombah Lake and the Yarra River;
- Macquarie perch to be released in the Goulburn River above Lake Eildon for the first time since local extinction;
- Resume the historic stocking of Murray cod and golden perch releases into Mollison Creek at Pyalong;
- First ever stocking of rainbow trout into Pretty Valley Reservoir (subject to TEP advice);
- Continuing to stock over 1 million native fish each year into Rocklands Reservoir;
- Walpeup Lake near Ouyen added as a new water to be stocked with golden perch.
Total numbers proposed in the 2026/27 draft stocking include:
Species | Total Proposed 2026/27 |
Australian Bass | 268,000 |
Brown trout | 676,500 |
Chinook salmon | 90,000 |
Dusky flathead | 47,500 |
Estuary perch | 280,000 |
Golden perch | 4,481,500 |
Macquarie perch | 100,000 |
Murray cod | 2,976,100 |
Rainbow trout | 542,100 |
Silver perch | 526,500 |
Tiger trout | 13,000 |
Trout cod | 100,000 |
Grand Total | 10,101,200 |
How to have your say
To have your say on the 2026/27 draft fish stocking plan, please email your submissions to Mark Adams, Stocking Manager at mark.adams@vfa.vic.gov.au by Friday 3 April, 2026.
To guide your submission, you may wish to view the Suggested Stocking Submission Checklist on page 33 of the 2024-25 Vic Fish Stock Report.
Past fish stocking in Victoria can be found by searching the Fish Stocking Database and by reading the annual Vic Fish Stock reports.
All submissions will be considered by the VFA and tabled with regional recreational fishing representatives at the annual Vic Fish Stock meetings, planned to be held in April 2026.
Following the Vic Fish Stock meetings, the 2026/27 plan will be finalised and implemented by the VFA.
For further information about the Fish Stocking Plan, the Vic Fish Stock Forums, or the consultation process, please email Mark Adams, Fisheries Manager at mark.adams@vfa.vic.gov.au