One of Victoria’s top trout fisheries is on the road to recovery with thousands of brown trout yearlings stocked into Lake Toolondo in the state’s west, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny today announced the stocking of more than 3500 fish into the popular local fishery. With the lake’s large weed beds creating the ideal conditions to produce trophy trout, this stocking will help more locals and visitors score the catch of the season.

The trout are the first fish stocked into the Lake Toolondo since 2019, with plans for a further 14,000 brown trout and 10,000 rainbow trout to be stocked later this year - returning the lake to the top of many Victorian trout fishers’ lists of go-to destinations.

This round of fish were grown at the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA) Snobs Creek hatchery near Eildon. The fish average 115 grams each and will take 6 to 12 months to grow to catchable size. The lake is located half an hour south-west of Horsham and is known for producing some of the fastest-growing trout in Victoria.

The VFA works with recreational fishers Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority to reduce carp numbers in the reservoir. In the past 18 months, more than 130 tonnes of carp have been removed from Lake Toolondo.

In 2022, almost 10 million fish were stocked into lakes and rivers across Victoria.

The release is part of the Labor Government’s state-wide stocking program, supported by the sale of recreational fishing licenses and Government’s $96 million investment to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture over the next four years.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny

“Today’s stocking is another step toward Lake Toolondo reclaiming its place as one of Victoria’s very best fisheries for brown and rainbow trout.”

“When conditions are right the lake produces some of the biggest trout in the state and lures anglers from all over Victoria to travel to catch the fish of a lifetime, which is great news for regional tourism.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora

“With trout stocking and boating upgrades here at Lake Toolondo and millions of native fish stocked into the booming Rocklands Reservoir nearby, our region provides fishers from near and far with opportunities to wet a line all year round.”