Victorian rivers trout fishing season closes soon

by Paul Sellars on 28 May 2013 Recreational anglers are reminded that on Monday 10 June at midnight the season for trout and salmon fishing in Victorian rivers closes.

Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Anthony Hurst said the annual closure protects most spawning trout and enables wild stocks to replenish undisturbed each winter.

'The Queens Birthday long weekend provides freshwater anglers with one last opportunity to catch trout in our rivers this season,' Mr Hurst said.

'Although the rivers close for about three months during winter, anglers can still fish for trout and salmon in Victorian lakes and reservoirs.

'The annual trout closed season applies only to rivers and streams.

'More than 130 lakes are stocked by Fisheries Victoria annually using fishing licence fees and the Victorian Government’s $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative, so there are still plenty of good fishing opportunities on offer while the rivers are closed.

'One of the best performing waters currently is Lake Toolondo, south west of Horsham.

'It’s been producing trout to two kg for anglers and has rebounded strongly following several years of
drought and low water levels.'

Other stocked lakes worth a visit during winter include:

· Lake Wendouree
· Tullaroop Reservoir
· Lake Purrumbete
· Lauriston Reservoir
· Lake Hume
· Lake Bolac
· Blue Rock Lake
· Cairn Curran Reservoir
· Barkers Creek Reservoir
· Eildon Pondage
· Devilbend Reservoir
· Lake Fyans
· Hepburn Lagoon
· Mount Beauty Pondage
· Lake Wartook

Mr Hurst said the trout fishing season in rivers re-opens at midnight on Friday 6 September this year.