THE Victorian Fisheries Authority has reported a highly successful opening to the trout season, with a strong turnout to the Goulburn and Ballarat fishing festivals.
Despite poor weather conditions, anglers fishing the Gouldburn River and Eildon Pondage recorded some impressive trout captures, following the stocking of 2,000 trout from 2-6kg into the system.
Those attending the Gouldburn Fishing Festival were given a close up look at the Snobs Creek hatchery facilities to see how fish are grown for stocking into Victorian lakes and rivers.
Meanwhile, at the Ballarat Fishing Festival, kids were able to assist the VFA in stocking hundreds of live trout from the Snobs Creek hatchery into Lake Wendouree.
The free fishing festivals also included trout and redfin talks, fly tying and cooking demonstrations and prize draws and raffles.
The trout opening festivals were funded by phase two of the Victorian Government’s Target One Million plan, which plans to invest $35 million to get more people fishing.