Victoria's fish stocking program leads the nation, and now we have the largest hatchery of its kind in the country, thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos today announced the completion of the Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery project, south of Shepparton.
The new facilities produce Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings to be stocked into Victorian lakes.
The expansion is one of two backed by the $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Victoria Plan which also includes a Macquarie perch breeding centre being built at the Snobs Creek hatchery.
Construction at Arcadia took almost a year to complete and has nearly quadrupled the number of production ponds at the site, from 32 to 125. It includes brood ponds to hold mature breeding fish and shallow plankton ponds to grow out fingerlings to a size suitable to be released throughout Victoria.
The project also included five water storages to hold up to 20 Olympic swimming pools worth of water, a larger indoor facility to incubate eggs and grow larvae, a bigger fish processing area to count and prepare fish for stocking and a new administration building for staff.
When fully operational in coming seasons, Arcadia will have the ability to produce up to 6 million native fish each season - more than half the 10 million fish released across the state each year. Victoria is proud to stock more fish than every other state and territory in the country combined.
The hatchery is also home to a Visitor Centre, which features a pond stocked with Murray cod and golden perch, adventure playground, barbecue and picnic facilities and a range of educational materials for visitors.
The project led by Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) supported 20 jobs through several locally based contractors.
To showcase the hatchery to native fish fanatics, the VFA will hold its annual Arcadia Open Day in autumn 2026 with guided tours available and other family-friendly activities on offer.
You can learn more about the hatchery expansion at vfa.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
"This investment cements Arcadia as the home of our native fish production and heart of our record-breaking stocking program."
"The scale of the expansion here at Arcadia truly is remarkable, and we're confident it will have a lasting impact on the future of fishing in Victoria."
As stated by Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation Luba Grigorovitch
"This project is a great boost for regional jobs and for all who love fishing, further strengthening Victoria's reputation as one of the best places to get outdoors."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jacyln Symes
"This expansion is a massive boost for our community, supporting local jobs and our keen fishing community."
