North-East Victoria
In May 2018, Dartmouth Pondage in North-East Victoria was re-opened for fishing for the first time since 2013.
The fishing area provides convenient shore-based fishing opportunities for locals and visitors during daylight hours and is stocked annually with Brown and Rainbow Trout. Dartmouth Pondage (or Lake Banimboola as it is formally known) is a key recreation and tourism asset for the remote Dartmouth
community, drawing thousands of recreational fishers, photographers, birdwatchers and walkers to the region each year.
The new access arrangements were facilitated through the collaboration of the Department of Land, Environment, Water and Planning, the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Goulburn-Murray Water, the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the hydro-electric generator AGL.
Caption: Local identity John Scales stocking a 3KG brown trout into Dartmouth Pondage amid media attention. Image courtesy of Victorian Fisheries Authority.
Central Victoria
In 2019, six lakes in central Victoria were opened to recreational fishers in canoes, kayaks and boats with electric motors. On-water access is now available at Upper Coliban, Malmsbury, Lauriston, Barkers Creek and Tullaroop reservoirs, and Hepburn Lagoon.
Works to improve physical access and site amenity has also been undertaken at a number of these water storages. At Tullaroop Reservoir a gravel boat ramp, boating safety signage and trailer parking was installed, while at Upper Coliban Reservoir a new boat ramp and additional carparking has been constructed.
Page last updated: 19/05/23