Around 35,000 rainbow trout were recently released into an array of Victoria's many lakes, with Eildon Pondage receiving several thousand new reasons to stick a rod in the water.

The state government said that it released the fish into more than 70 lakes across the state in an effort to provide Victorian families a fun, affordable activity.

Backed by the $96 million Go Fishing and Boating plan and recreational fishing licence fees, Victoria supposedly stocks more fish than all other states and territories combined.

The rainbow trout are just some of the 10 million fish the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has stocked into the state’s waters across 2024/25, the third time in four years at least 10 million fish have been released into Victorian waterways.

The recently released rainbow trout were grown at the Snobs Creek hatchery.

The VFA say that, at approximately 200 grams each, they are an ideal catch for beginners because they take a variety of widely available, low-cost baits and can also be caught with lures cast and retrieved from the shore.

Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Outdoor Recreation, was delighted to be able to offer parents, and children, fun, healthy and free activities for the school holidays.

"Our nation-leading fish stocking program will ensure Victoria's recreational waterways are brimming with plenty of fish, which will also reel in additional business for local shops and communities.”

Lake Eildon is regularly stocked with larger brown and rainbow trout, making it a great spot year round for anglers of all ages.