Recreational Fishing Initiative

Constructing a fish ladder on the Ovens River

Fish cleaning table at Lake Purrumbete

Stewarts Bridge track before upgrade

Stewarts Bridge track after upgrade

Improved facilities at Tooradin boat ramp

More recreational fishing reefs

Improved facilities at Corinella boat ramp

The Victorian Government is demonstrating its strong commitment to improving fishing opportunities by investing around $16 million over four years.

These funds are in addition to project funded by recreational fishing licence fees.

The Recreational Fishing Initiative is breeding more Murray cod, golden perch and rainbow and brown trout for stocking. It's also improving access and building more recreational fishing reefs.

Other projects that are being delivered under the Recreational Fishing Initiative include:

• Developing new recreational fisheries by stocking trout cod, Macquarie perch, Australian bass and estuary perch into suitable waterways;
• Improving fish migration by installing  fish ladders and removing instream barriers at Hollands Creek and the Ovens, Broken and Goulburn Rivers;
• Improving access tracks on the Latrobe River and the Murray and Goulburn River junction;
• Improving boat launching facilities at locations such as Lakes Eildon, Toolondo, Hindmarsh and Elingamite, and Corinella and Tooradin;
• Installing fish cleaning tables at locations such as Torquay, Tooradin, Blind Bight and Lake Purrumbete;
• Conducting more public forums for recreational fishers and Fisheries Victoria to exchange ideas on ways to improve recreational fishing;
• Increasing fisheries patrols on weekends and public holidays; and
• Undertaking research to support recreational fishing.

As the initiative enters its third year, many projects are being completed bringing significant benefits to recreational fishers across Victoria.

Recreational fishing generates significant regional economic activity and growth while providing substantial social benefits for families and communities. The Recreational Fishing Initiative will boost fishing in Victoria and will ensure that Victoria remains the best place in Australia to catch a fish.