- Access improved for anglers with the creation of the Pemberton Trout Trail
- Big Brook Dam stocks boosted with hundreds of trout released as part of Southern Forests Trout Festival
- Funding announced for feasibility study for all-ability floating fishing platform
Freshwater angling in the South West has been bolstered by a new trail and funding to help explore improving access at Big Brook Dam, thanks to the Cook Government.
The Pemberton Trout Trail was launched at today's Southern Forests Trout Festival.
The Trout trail improves access for anglers of all ages, encouraging locals and visitors alike to participate in fishing and outdoor activity.
The trail is a collaboration between Freshwater Anglers of WA and Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club, and supported by a $57,280 grantthrough the Cook Government's Native Forestry Transition Community Small Grants Fund.
In a further boost for local fishers and visitors, the Cook Government has committed $38,000 through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund for a feasibility study into improving fishing access at Big Brook Dam, including the potential for all-ability floating fishing platform.
The funding will support Recfishwest, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to progress the study.
The Southern Forests Trout Festival concludes Western Australia's 'festival of trout', which kicked off with Waroona's Troutfest on 4 October.
Festivalgoers helped release hundreds of brown and rainbow trout yearlings and broodstock reared at DPIRD's Freshwater Research Centre into Waroona's Drakesbrook Weir and Pemberton's Big Brook Dam.
The Cook Government waived freshwater angling licences for South West freshwater dams and rivers during this nine-day period to encourage fishers and families to try their hand at trout fishing.
It's the first time the licence fees have been waived for the week between the two popular fishing events.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"It's great to be at the Southern Forests Trout Festival and join in the fun of releasing trout into Big Brook Dam.
"These yearlings are the result of the research and work from the fantastic team at DPIRD's Freshwater Research Centre in Pemberton and our ongoing stocking program, which is helping to provide exciting trout fishing experiences in the South West.
"I'm thrilled to see so many people enjoying the event and I've heard many stories of people being encouraged to have a go thanks to the Cook Government making it a licence-free period.
"Our government is proud to support events and projects that help attract people to our regions, provide boosts for small businesses and create jobs.
"I look forward to DPIRD, DBCA and Recfishwest working together to explore what opportunities there are to make Big Brook Dam more accessible for local anglers and visitors."
