From the Department of Primary Industries

Thursday, July 3, 2008

FISHING FUN KICKS OFF SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN LILYDALE

More than 90 families attended the most recent Family Fishing Day at Lillydale Lake last weekend, Fisheries Victoria Acting Executive Director Dallas D’Silva said today.

Mr D’Silva said light winds and an overcast sky made for ideal fishing conditions with over 160 children fishing for the specially stocked rainbow trout.

“More than one hundred rainbow trout were caught, and 30 children went home delighted with catching their first ever fish,” Mr D’Silva said.

“Catch rates were improved courtesy of expert assistance provided by volunteers from the Yarra Valley Fly Fishers, who call this lake home.

“Additional fishing instruction and informative workshops about knot tying and casting were
provided by Fishcare.”

To improve everyone’s chances of catching a fish, the lake had been stocked with over 1,000 rainbow trout a week earlier.

Many of these fish were large ‘Premier’ trout weighing more than a kilogram each.
Mr D’Silva said plenty of the stocked fish remained in the lake so families keen on wetting a line during the school holidays should try their luck.

“For those who missed out, another larger Family Fishing Festival is planned for Saturday 20 September and I encourage everyone to come along,” Mr D’Silva said.

In addition to last weekend’s activities the September event at Lillydale Lake will include a range of stalls, displays and entertainment for the whole family, young and old.

Other free Family Fishing Festivals scheduled for this year include Kennington Reservoir
(Bendigo) on 10 August and Jubilee Lake (Daylesford) on 18 October.

Family Fishing Festivals are 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.

For more information visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing or ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.