The Minns Labor Government is encouraging people across the State to grab a rod, head outdoors and celebrate recreational fishing as Gone Fishing Day expands into the first-ever Gone Fishing Weekend, on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026.
Making recreational fishing more accessible to families and women is a key commitment by the Minns Government with the evolution to a Gone Fishing Weekend as a major community event part of that plan.
The expanded event features free fishing activities, community events and family-friendly experiences, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a popular outdoor pastime.
Whether you're an experienced angler or trying fishing for the first time, Gone Fishing Weekend is about connecting with family and friends, while enjoying the state's lakes, beaches and waterways.
Across NSW there are major and small events for Gone Fishing Weekend:
- Major events at Sydney, Lake Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, Grafton, Lake Wallace (Lithgow), Lake Oberon, Lake Windamere and Mudgee featuring experiences such as:
- Mort Bay community fishing event featuring popular online fishing personality Shroom
- Lake Illawarra commuity fishing event featuring fishing legend Steve 'Starlo' Starling
- Fantastic prizes targeting some bumper tagged Tiger trout in Lake Wallace
- These free events offer fishing sessions, expert advice, casting practice, and giveaways, with activities designed to help people of all ages and experience.
- In addition, 67 fishing clubs and organisations are also hosting local Gone Fishing Weekend events in their communities andhave received fishing packages to help run family-friendly activities
- Packages include rod and reel sets, goodie bags, circle hooks, fish measuring rulers, giveaways and educational resources.
The Government is working with community led groups like fishing clubs to deliver welcoming and family-friendly events that encourage participation in recreational fishing.
Gone Fishing Weekend is a collaborative initiative between the Minns Government and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation and is supported by the Recreational Fishing Trusts.
Recreational fishing continues to be one of the state's most popular outdoor activities, providing social, health and wellbeing benefits while contributing to regional economies.
For more information about Gone Fishing Weekend events, visit the NSW Government website.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"Gone Fishing Weekend is all about getting outdoors, connecting with family and friends and enjoying the incredible fishing opportunities on our rivers and beaches, plus in our harbours and waterways.
"This year the Minns Government is making an even bigger splash by expanding Gone Fishing Day into a full weekend of activities, giving more people the chance to get involved in recreational fishing.
"Whether you're a lifelong fisher or you've never picked up a fishing rod before, Gone Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity to give it a try, or upgrade your knowledge and skills, plus meet people and spend time in our beautiful outdoor locations.
"Local fishing clubs and community organisations are at the heart of these events, and I thank the volunteers who work so hard to introduce or sustain people participating in fishing and helping grow the next generation of recreational fishers.
"Recreational fishing delivers significant social, wellbeing and economic benefits across our state particularly in our regional towns."
Rundown of Major Events
| Location / Date | Details |
| Mort Bay, Sydney, Sunday, 18 October | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will host a community fishing event featuring popular online fishing personality Shroom. Come along for a meet-and-greet, hear stories from the water, and pick up expert tips from one of Australia's favourite fishing creators. |
| Lake Wallace, Lithgow, Sunday, 18 October |
