Fisheries Victoria recently released 82,000 Australian bass into nine Gippsland waters to further improve recreational fishing opportunities in the region.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said releases of bass in previous years were starting to deliver for anglers, and this latest stocking would further boost local fishing opportunities.

“Australian bass are a popular sportfish, highly regarded by freshwater anglers,” Mr Bull said.

“Fisheries Victoria has now stocked more than 400,000 bass into Gippsland since 2002 and this investment is paying off with legal size bass of 27 centimetres becoming increasingly common.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to improving recreational fishing opportunities across the state and maintaining Gippsland’s status as a quality fishing destination.

“We are spending $16 million through the Recreational Fishing Initiative to not only stock fish but also improve access and facilities, upgrade boat launching facilities, build new fishing reefs, undertake more fisheries research and strengthen fisheries enforcement and education.

“On top of this the Recreational Fishing Grants Program invests licence fees straight back into local projects that improve angling opportunities across the state.”

The bass fingerlings, averaging 2-3cm each, were released into:

Blue Rock Lake – 25,000             Lake Glenmaggie – 10,000 Mitchell River– 10,000             Tambo River – 10,000 Nicholson River – 10,000             Narracan Lake – 10,000 Avon River  – 3,000                 Cowwarr Weir – 2,000 Macalister River, downstream of Lake Glenmaggie – 2,000

Mr Bull said Lake Glenmaggie in particular was gaining momentum with anglers enjoying success from the shore using worms.

“One local man and his father landed five bass between 25 and 28cm in one session at Lake Glenmaggie during September. He was so happy about it he rang Fisheries to report his success,” Mr Bull said.

For more information about fish stocking visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/fisheries