29 Aug 2018 Alexandra Eildon Marysville Standard, Alexandra VIC (General News) VICTORIAS biggest ever opening of a trout season is set for September 1, when 2000 massive trout will be stocked at 11 family-friendly sites near Eildon. The Goulburn River between Molesworth and the Eildon Pondage will receive 1500 trout, with 500 of the goliaths to be released into the Eildon Pondage itself. Half of the trout will be released on Friday, August 31 with the remainder through the morning of Saturday, September 1. The season-opening stocking bonanza will be complemented by the free Goulburn Fishing Festival the same day, which is part of the state governments Target One Million plan thats investing a record $46 million, including $9 million from fishing licence fees, to get more people fishing, more often. Labor Upper House Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said the combined weight of the enormous rainbow trout would be seven tonnes, making the release the biggest ever 24 hour stocking event in Fisheries history. The Festival promotes fishing in country Victoria and there will be fun things to do for the whole family from 10am till 4pm, including fireworks over the Eildon Pondage at 7pm. Im encouraging first time fishers and those experienced to come out and wet a line. If you are keen to make a weekend of it, families can stay in some of the superb accommodation facilities we have in country Victoria and take in the sites of our beautiful towns. Free activities will include fishing clinics from experts, fly-fishing lessons tailored for women, prizes and raffles, and trout releases into the Pondage. The event will also include cooking demonstrations, fishing tackle displays, a jumping castle and face painting for the kids, the Fisheries education trailer and free guided tours of the Snobs Creek hatchery, which grows trout and native fish for the statewide stocking program. For more information, including a map of the 11 stocking sites, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/goulburnfishfest Victorian rivers and streams officially open to trout fishing at midnight on Friday, August 31, 2018. All lakes, including Lake Eildon and the Eildon Pondage, are open to trout fishing year-round.