Lake Hyland Family Fishing Festival - 19 April 2008

More than 80 families attended the Family Fishing Festival at Lake Hyland in April 2008. Over 160 children participated in fishing related activities that ranged from workshops with Fisheries Officers to knot tying classes with Fishcare volunteers. Casting clinics, fishy balloons, Flathead Fred shows, face painting, a jumping castle and cooking demonstrations all proved popular. Rainbow trout were stocked prior to, and again on the day of the event. Enthusiastic children were delighted to see the fish released into the lake. Some of these fish from the Fisheries Victoria truck weighed more than 1 kg each. As a result of the day: 96 per cent of families surveyed said they planned to return to Lake Hyland sometime in the next 6 months, Every family said they were more likely to go fishing in Victoria, and 94 per cent said their fishing knowledge has improved. Nearly 700 trout stocked into Lake Hyland for Saturday’s event will offer great fishing opportunities for families over the coming months. More trout will be released prior to the June school holidays. Lake Hyland is one of five Premier Lakes being developed across the State as part of the Government’s $3.2 million Go Fishing in Victoria investment in recreational fishing, which aims to increase participation in fishing, particularly amongst families. Families going to Lake Hyland will be able to enjoy using a new BBQ facility and have improved fishing access with additional fishing platforms around the banks of the lake. Families are encouraged to make the most of Lake Hyland, now and into the future, as improvements are made and further fish stocking is undertaken.