Aussie Freshwater Fishing

The season for Murray Spiny Crayfish has opened today and will close on September 1st.

A long lived species, Murray Crays are one of the largest freshwater crayfish on the planet. Please remember the slot and possession limits to keep this iconic species available for generations to come. More can be found on the VFA fishing guide.

Whilst this will not be official up until August, (when tickets officially go online) I've managed to come up with the final draft introducing our 4 main key guest speakers for this year's Australian Fishing & Outdoor Expo.

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the event.

We will remember them lest we forget🇦🇺🦘🎣

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (📸) Snobs Creek Fish Hatchery will be once again opening to the public on Sunday, 3rd of May!

Visitors will be able to see the new Macquarie Perch Recovery Centre, tour the hatchery, meet the VFA's fish stocking staff, chat to Robbie Alexander Photography and Fishing, take part in fishing clinics, learn about fish biology with VFA Scientist Dr Corey Green, and more.

VRFish will also be there! Stop by our stand to have a chat to some of our VRFish Board members, learn more about VRFish and what we're up to, and paint a lure ready for your next fishing adventure! 🎣

📆 Sunday 3 May
⏰ 9am-2pm
📍 Snobs Creek Hatchery (Eildon)
〰 https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/events/snobs-creek-hatchery-open-day

📑 NEW STUDY: Danylchuk et al. carried out the largest survey of Murray Cod fishers, to explore perceptions around the recovery of this iconic freshwater species.

🐟 Species studied

Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii)

🤔 The issue

Murray Cod is an iconic freshwater fish species in Australia with high cultural importance. Following declines, management and conservation efforts have helped Murray Cod populations recover to such an extent that the species now supports a vibrant recreational fishery.

👩🏽‍🔬 What did the researchers do?

The team surveyed over 3,500 anglers who fish for Murray Cod – the largest cod fisher survey to date.

💡 What did they find?

Most anglers believed that the quality of the Murray Cod recreational fishery has improved over recent decades and reported high satisfaction for Murray cod fishing in Victoria, consistent with population recovery.

Over 90% of anglers believed handling practices are important to the welfare of released Murray Cod and the Care for Cod Campaign was found to have assisted anglers to engage in better handling practices.

Anglers identified blackwater events and carp as major threats, and ranked fish stocking and current regulations (slot limit) as the most important fishery management interventions for sustaining the Murray Cod fishery.

👍 Any recommendations?

The study findings provide encouragement that our fisheries management actions have and continue to make a difference to the recovery of Murray Cod, including large scale hatchery production and stocking, habitat restoration, slot limits and improved handling of Murray Cod.

The recovery of Murray Cod is a fantastic case study that we can apply to the recovery of other threatened native fish species like Trout Cod and Macquarie Perch through the 10inTen program, an initiative in Victoria to recover ten threatened freshwater species in ten years.

Our Catch a Carp Festival Lake Colac is THIS SUNDAY! Get excited because it’s going to be an epic day.

Bring the kids, invite your mates and enjoy:
🎣Free fishing clinics & educational activities
🐟Family “Catch a Carp” competition with great prizes donated by Colac Mixx FM and Colac Herald
🥘Carp cooking demonstrations
🔬Fish biology sessions with VFA Scientist Dr Corey Green
🐟Commercial carp fishing demonstrations
🌭Sausage sizzle & train rides with Lions Club Colac
☕Food & coffee onsite
📻Live broadcasts from MIXX FM and 3CS
🎣Fishing gear swap meet
👯Best-dressed angler competition and raffle draws

Carp are a noxious pest in Victoria and every carp caught helps protect our waterways and native fish species. Come along, learn something new, and enjoy a fantastic day by the lake with the community.

When: Sunday 12 April 2026
Time: 10am - 3pm
Where: Lake Colac Foreshore, Colac
More info: www.vfa.vic.gov.au/colaccarpfestival

Aussie Freshwater Fishing

Get a long and join us.

The Boat Show ‘n’ Shine is a new event we are running this year with the help & support of the Victorian leg of the Veterans For Fishing organization and is a fundraiser for the said organization.

The Boat Show ‘n’ Shine invites everyday people to bring their "FISHING" boats, be they (freshwater or saltwater) related along and show them off on the day.

All exhibitors will have a chance to win some fantastic prizes within the 3 different categories.

> Boats under $40,000.00
> Boats over $40,000.00
> Bass boat.

WHERE – BENDIGO (Main arena), BENDIGO SHOWGROUNDS, HOLMES Rd, BENDIGO.

WHEN – Sat: 7th November 2026.

Show ‘n’ Shine is open to the public from 10.00am – 2pm. Saturday.

All entries must be officially registered prior to the event (NO entries will be taken on the day) and you can only get your entry form by emailing me at [email protected]