THE newly created Willow Lake in Hopetoun, Victoria, is officially open to the public and received its first ever stocking yesterday with the help of local school kids, families and community groups.
Hopetoun locals were filled with pride and enthusiasm at the opening of Willow Lake which will provide the local community with new fishing opportunities away from motorised, water-based activities at the nearby Lake Lascelles.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority officially opened the lake with the inaugural stocking of 20,000 golden perch fingerlings. The fingerlings will take about three years to grow to a catchable size. Next year, Willow Lake will also be stocked with Murray cod.
The hard work of Lake Lascelles/Corrong Committee of Management, the Hopetoun Angling Club, Hopetoun Ski Club and Yarriambiack Shire Council has truly paid off. Willow Lake was created using the shell of a decommissioned town water reservoir and features two new fishing platforms.
