Drop a line in Sunbury

Victorian Fisheries Authority team member Stuart Hill stocking rainbow stonker. (Victorian Fisheries Authority)

Oliver Lees

Sunbury families now have a new way to enjoy the outdoors, with Spavin Lake stocked with stonker rainbow trout for recreational fishing.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority dropped 30 of the trout species in the lake as part of the state government’s Go Fishing Victoria plan, which is designed to encourage families to fish.

In metropolitan areas, recreational fishing is permitted within five kilometres of the home for up to two hours per day.

As a father of two, Adam Mizzi said it was good timing for families doing it tough during lockdown.

“Mental health for kids is at an all time low, so it’s great to get the kids out and moving,” he said.

“People can get out, enjoy themselves and be connected to the earth and nature.”

Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling told Star Weekly the stonker rainbow trout are about four kilograms in weight, making them ideal for fishing.

“These stonkers are part of our target to stock 10 million fish in Victorian waters this year, a record not just for the state but for Australia,” he said.

“A great location for anglers of all skill level and age, Spavin Lake is suitable to hold fish stocks and is stocked regularly with rainbow trout.”

A daily catch limit of five trout applies at Spavin Lake and only two of those can exceed 35 centimetres in length.