Easter break the perfect time for family fishing fun - Vic DPI

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Media release: Easter break the perfect time for family fishing fun

3 April 12 - Victoria DPI

Recreational fishers are being encouraged to take advantage of some great fishing opportunities along the state’s coast and in its rivers and lakes during the Easter holidays.

Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Anthony Hurst said Victorian anglers were enjoying boom times for both saltwater and freshwater species thanks to healthy fish stocks and the Victorian Government’s extensive drought recovery stocking program.

“Bay and inlet anglers have enjoyed a fantastic summer for snapper and King George whiting which is expected to continue over the next few weeks,” Mr Hurst said.

“Flathead, bream, calamari, trevally and Australian salmon are commonly encountered in our bays and inlets and will provide some great fishing for beginners and experts alike.

“There have been strong catches of gummy shark, silver trevally and snapper and southern bluefin tuna coming on the bite in southwest Victoria.

“Yellowtail kingfish are being caught off the Mornington Peninsula, salmon, bream and flathead around Mallacoota and black bream in the Hopkins River.

“And if you can’t get to the coast, Victoria’s revitalized inland waterways can also provide Easter treats with good catches of native fish and trout from lakes and streams.”

Around Lake Eildon and the local rivers, anglers can find redfin, trout, golden perch and Murray cod.

“People can catch their own Easter supper confident they are eating products from well-managed and sustainable fisheries,” Mr Hurst said.

Mr Hurst said Victorian consumers could also be confident they were buying fish products from a well managed, sustainable fishery that supported a viable commercial fishing industry with substantial regional economic and social benefits.

He also reminded fishers about their obligations to comply with fishing bag limits and other regulations and said Fisheries officers would be out in force over the break conducting inspections of fishers and their vessels.

To report suspicious fishing activity, call the fisheries reporting line 13FISH (13 3474).