CELEBRATE the start of the trout and freshwater fishing season in Victoria with the Ballarat Fishing Festival.
The free and family-friendly event will run from 10am until 4pm on 7 September at Lake Wendouree, north of Windmill Drive.
Festival goers can take a free tour of the nearby Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society’s trout hatchery or get the kids into a free fishing lesson with Fishcare, where all bait and tackle is provided.
Festival goers will hear from experienced anglers about the basics of fishing for trout and redfin, watch expert fly tiers in action, enter prize draws and raffles, and enjoy free children’s activities including a jumping castle, face painting and photo booth.
There will be displays from the Australian Trout Foundation, Maritime Safety, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s education trailer.
Food lovers can watch seafood cooking demonstrations making smoked trout, trout ceviche, pan fried fillets and smoked trout mousse, then enjoy tasting each of the dishes.
Kids can help stock hundreds of live trout from Fisheries’ Snobs Creek hatchery into Lake Wendouree.
The Festival is funded by phase two of the Victorian Labor Government’s Target One Million plan, which is investing $35 million to get more people fishing, more often, in more places.
For more information visit: vfa.vic.gov.au/ballaratfishfest
