Greta news today as the announcement of the updated trout regulations for Victorian waters sees a lowering of bag limits and the introduction of a 25cm minimum size on a number of Victoria’s premier trout waters. This is a big step in protecting the future of our trout fisheries, especially certain rivers that are regular spawning grounds for good populations of fish. This extract was taken from the press release today :
The Andrews Labor Government has announced a suite of improvements to recreational fishing rules for trout that will boost angling opportunities in Victoria’s freshwater rivers and lakes.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford announced the changes today, which include the introduction of a minimum size for trout in several waters set out in the Labor Government’s Target One Million plan, which is investing a record $46 million to get more people fishing, more often.
The new rules commence on Saturday, 2 September 2017 and include:
- A minimum size of 25cm for all species of trout in the Rubicon River, Mitta Mitta River upstream of Lake Dartmouth, Ovens River upstream of the Porepunkah Bridge, and Nariel Creek upstream of the Colac Colac Bridge
- A minimum size of 30cm for rainbow trout and 45cm for brown trout at Lake Toolondo, and a reduced daily bag limit 3 trout – down from 5
- A minimum size of 45cm for all trout and a daily bag limit of 3 at Hepburn Lagoon
- Removal of the trout closed season from the Merri and Hopkins rivers.
The introduction of a minimum size in four rivers will help promote these waters as high quality trout fishing destinations.
The changes are expected to produce more trophy trout in the two lakes, both of which are stocked annually with yearlings grown at the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Snobs Creek hatchery, funded largely by fishing licence fees.
The removal of the closed season in the Merri and Hopkins rivers will give anglers year-round access to stocked populations of brown trout, some of which grow to more than 2kg.
This has been a long time coming, especially with no minimum size for trout across Victoria in the past and for those of us who practice careful catch and release fishing, it is a very welcome development. More information can be found here : vfa.vic.gov.au/bettertrout
I am totally opposed to this ludicrous legislation, yet another con job by fisheries or whatever name they call themselves this month.
First they wanted to poison all trout being in their own words “invasive, imported species” Now they claim how they want to nurture Trout and o0ther fisheries.
25 and 30cm represent large and certainly pan sized trout in all our rivers so how anglers want these as minimum sizes is a joke.
Fishing has been so poor over the past few years due to drought, flood and fires that catching a trout is the exception rather than the rule. yet fisheries people have done little if anything to help. Stocking is at best a dump and run excersize and no where near as much effort is used as many years ago..
Fisheries insights are pure fiction and I for one challenge their validity.
Community consultation is a crock, all they have done is create a false sense of inclusion by speaking with some fools clearly suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
I have fished for decades and am annoyed at the way government seems hell bent on ruining yet another pastime.
There is no scientific or anecdotal evidence to suggest size limits will see more trophy fish in fact it will have a detrimental effect given the challenges of the Australian weather etc..
Hi There,
Where is that beautiful little creek you are fishing, would love to visit it!