Budding fishers can spring into a new hobby next month as Ballarat's Lake Wendouree hosts a free fishing festival on Saturday 6 September.
Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the annual event marked the opening of the trout fishing season in rivers and would give families the opportunity to get into the great outdoors and pick up an active, healthy pastime.
Running from 9am to 2pm, the Ballarat Fishing Festival, now in its 10th year, will include a range of educational activities and even cooking and filleting demonstrations to inspire home chefs.
"Ballarat is one of our biggest population centres and the beautiful Lake Wendouree is an excellent fishery that hosts national and international fishing competitions, so it's perfectly placed to hold this event each year," Mr Dowling said.
"Youngsters will get the opportunity to learn from Fishcare volunteers about casting, rigs, baits and what to do if they catch a fish.
"There'll be plenty to do on the day including fishing personality Cara Cummings providing cooking and filleting tips to get you into the kitchen cooking up a seafood sensation.
"The nearby Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society will offer free tours of their facility which has been growing trout for more than 150 years.
"Local fishing clubs will have freshwater boats on display and host fly-tying demonstrations including explanations about how their hand-made flies imitate insect life in lakes and streams.
"We'll be stocking catchable-size trout ready for the event and kids can also give our Snobs Creek hatchery crew a hand to release live fish on the day as well.
"We'd love to see a big crowd at Lake Wendouree for what promises to be a terrific day of fishing fun for the whole family."
The event will be held near Windmill Drive on the lake's western shoreline, close to the botanic gardens and other areas to explore.
For details about the 2025 Ballarat Fishing Festival visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/ballaratfishfest
