Record dusky flathead stocking

The Gippsland Lakes has been stocked with a record number of dusky flathead as part of our three-year trial to boost the population.

The 46,100 fingerlings were stocked at Kalimna and Lakes Entrance with help from members of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.

These fish complement 35,000 duskies stocked in 2022 and 42,000 in 2021.

The Bemm River was also stocked with 5,000 duskies, having received 5,000 in 2021.

The trial is a key part of our Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan to return the iconic waterway to a fishing mecca for recreational anglers.

The plan was released after commercial net fishing in the Gippsland Lakes ended in 2020, which delivered on a key commitment of the State Government’s Go Fishing Victoria plan.

Thanks to the 15 volunteer anglers who caught broodfish duskies for us at Mallacoota and Lake Tyers in January 2023. These parent-fish were transported to a marine hatchery where they spawned, and their offspring grew to fingerling size for these stockings.