THE Victorian Coalition Government has improved rec fishing opportunities across the state with more than two million native fish stocked into lakes and rivers for the fourth consecutive year.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the total included more than 1.2 million golden perch and a record 107,000 estuary perch fingerlings. Also stocked were Murray Cod, trout cod, Australian bass, Macquarie perch, silver perch and catfish.
“The Coalition Government recognises the economic and social contribution of recreational fishing to our state and is committed to improving opportunities for anglers,” Mr Walsh said.
“These native fish stockings have been funded by fishing licence fees and the Coalition Government’s $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative.
“The Initiative is also installing fish cleaning tables and fishing reefs, expanding angler access, improving fish passageways and strengthening fisheries enforcement and education.
“The Coalition Government is helping to ensure that Victoria remains a top fishing destination for local and visiting anglers.”
Mr Walsh said Fisheries Victoria’s Snobs Creek Hatchery had produced a significant number of the native fish stocked, including 514,000 Murray cod.
“Snobs Creek also produced very good numbers of Macquarie perch and trout cod, both of which are classified as threatened species. Trout cod remain off limits to anglers for now while several stocked fisheries are developed,” Mr Walsh said.
Most Murray cod were stocked into Lake Nagambie, the Goulburn River, Gunbower Creek, Loddon River, Kangaroo Lake, Lake Eppalock, Lake Eildon and Cairn Curran Reservoir.
Waters stocked with golden perch included Lake Eppalock, Lake Hume, Loddon River, Campaspe River, Lake Eildon, Kow Swamp, Broken River, Wimmera River and Taylors Lake.
Visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/nativefish2014 for a list of waters stocked with native fish in 2013/14.
