More families will have the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime in metropolitan Melbourne, with a further 500 ‘stonker’ rainbow trout stocked into lakes around Melbourne this week, including Lillydale Lake and in Ferntree Gully.
Minister for Boating and Fishing Melissa Horne said following a positive response to the first round of fish stockings, 500 more trout were making their way to Melbourne’s lakes.
The rainbow trout weigh at least 4 kilograms each, with some up to 7 kilograms, and add to the 500 catchable-size trout recently stocked into metropolitan lakes.
The latest round of lakes being stocked include:
• Albert Park Lake (90 fish)
• Karkarook Lake (60)
• Yarrambat Lake (60)
• Lillydale Lake (45)
• Pakenham Lake (40)
• Navan Park Lake (30)
• Spavin Lake (30)
Lakes in Berwick, Emerald, Casey Fields, Rowville, Roxburgh Park, Caulfield and Ferntree Gully are also being stocked with additional fish.
For the full metropolitan list of ‘stonker’ stocked waters, an interactive map showing your nearest location and the dates each lake will be stocked can be seen at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/metrostonkers.
A daily bag limit of five trout applies to family fishing lakes, of which only two trout can exceed 35 centimetres. To learn more about catch limits visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones.
Under current restrictions, fishing and boating are permitted activities within 25 kilometres of home or permitted workplaces, with up to 10 people from a maximum of two households allowed. You must be able to keep 1.5m distance from others, including while on a boat, and you must wear a fitted face mask at all times unless a lawful exemption applies.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said, “As restrictions safely and gradually ease, visiting these lakes for family-friendly activities like fishing makes for an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors.
“It’s great to see fishers safely wet a line again and this stocking program will give more people that opportunity in lakes close to their homes.”
