March 24, 2022
There’s nothing better than getting the kids outdoors and sharing a love of fishing with the next generation of recfishers. With school holidays upon us, it’s the perfect time to plan your next family fishing adventure or register to attend one of the many family friendly events that will be held during the holidays.
Below we’ve listed some of the upcoming events that will be held over the coming months, during the April school holidays and May, and some tips to get your family out fishing.
APRIL & MAY 2022 FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS
COME AND TRY FISHING CLINIC | FISHCARE VICTORIA
Fishcare Victoria have released their upcoming school holiday program in the Melbourne region. Their come and try fishing clinics aim to promote and educate anyone interested in fishing around responsible angling practices and get them hooked on fishing around Victoria.
Anglers will get the chance to learn about the rules and regulations, how to rig a fishing rod and try their hand at catching a fish.
Fishcare’s fishing clinics will be held during April with sessions planned for St. Kilda and Williamstown.
Fishcare Victoria is a community based not-for-profit organisation promoting responsible and sustainable fishing practices. For more family fishing tips visit the Fishcare website.
WET’N’WILDER | NORTH CENTRAL CMA
North Central CMA are hosting a wet’n’wilder event on the 10 April from 10:30am-1:30pm at Kerang Regional Park.
- Loddon Carp Catch – register on the day, bait supplied, bank fishing only… with heaps of prizes!
- Welcome to Country
- Turtles Australia & Native Fish Australia displays
- BBQ lunch
- “Ask me about Waterbugs” with Waterwatch
- Kids’ colouring competition
- Hear about our Native Fish Recovery Project and NCCMA’s work to bring back native fish
- Learn more about Loddon River flows
- …and lots more!
VIC FISH KIDS | VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY
Vic Fish Kids is an initiative from Victorian Fisheries Authority to encourage kids to get into fishing. The 2022 calendar will kick off in May and include events in Bendigo, Moorabbin, and Seymour.
The program has already helped thousands of kids catch their first fish and learn about knots, casting, bait selection and what to do when they land their first fish. Vic Fish Kids continues to give kids a chance to learn how to fish from some of the recreational fishing leaders and hopefully picking up a lifelong passion.
Each event is fun for the whole family, featuring free fishing clinics for children, activities, food, drink and more. Best of all, youngsters will get the chance to catch a new hobby in a safe and supportive environment with help from experts. Lee Raynor will lead the fishing clinics along with help from fishing clubs, Fisheries Officers and Fishcare.
TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR KIDS FISHING OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Below we’ve listed some tips to take your family fishing over the school holidays.
WHAT’S BITING?
If you are travelling around Victoria and aren’t familiar with what’s biting in the area, local tackle stores are a fantastic resource for tips and advice to make your fishing a success.
FAMILY FISHING LAKES
If you are looking for somewhere to go fishing with the family, there are a number of family fishing lakes across Victoria. Prior to the school holidays, these lakes are stocked with ready-to-catch rainbow trout and provide families with an opportunity to easily hook a fish as rainbow trout respond to a variety of baits and lures. For more information on family fishing lakes, including a list of lakes, visit the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s school holiday trout stocking webpage.
FIND A STOCKED FISHERY
The Victorian Fisheries Authority have stocked over 250 waterways across the state which means there are are ample opportunities to reel in a fish. Over the summer, native fish are stocked across the state. Natives are now also stocked into metro-lakes so you can reel in a mighty Murray Cod close to home. You can check out their Fish Stocking Database to see which fish have been stocked into your favourite waterway.
FISH BY THE RULES
Most fish species in Victoria have restrictions regarding their capture. This may include size limits, bag and possession limits as well as closed seasons. The Victorian Fisheries Authority have created a handy guide with all Victorian rules for recreational fishers called the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide.
If you suspect illegal fishing activity, contact the Victorian Fisheries Authority on 13FISH (13 3474).
VRFISH CODE OF CONDUCT
VRFish have developed a Code of Conduct for recreational fishers in Victoria. We as recfishers have a responsibility to look after our fisheries resources for the benefit of the environment and future generations of recfishers and show respect for other users of the aquatic environment. We love fishing and encourage all fishers to adopt the guidelines.
LET’S MAKE FISHING BETTER
While you’re out fishing, if you have any ideas on how we can make your fishing even better, get in contact with us! You can send us an email via [email protected] – let us know how your fishing is going, what the fishing is like at your favourite waterway, any stocking you’d like to see, and any other suggestions that can make your fishing better.
