Water

Fishing forum hits the road

By Contributed

Jul 26, 2026

Anglers will get the chance to speak directly with Victorian Fishing Authority experts, as they hit the road on their free fishing forum tour of northern Victoria.

Recreational fishers across northern Victoria can quiz fishery experts face-to-face when the Victorian Fisheries Authority's free fishing forums return for a sixth year.

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The weeknight forums, running from 7pm to 9pm, will stop at the Happy Valley Hotel, Ovens, on July 30; Benalla Bowls Club on August 4; Swan Hill Club on August 18; Hopetoun Community Hotel on August 24; and Mildura RSL on August 27.

Each forum opens with talks from VFA staff followed by audience questions, covering fish stocking, native species recovery and projects under the $96 million Go Fishing and Boating plan.

VFA chief executive Travis Dowling said the forums gave fishers and their families the chance to speak with experts and swap ideas.

"Meeting with passionate locals and hearing what matters most to them is a huge privilege for us," Mr Dowling said.

He said the VFA had stocked more than 30 million fish in three years, given $1.6 million to 330 angling clubs and invested in recovering natives such as Macquarie perch and trout cod.

Victoria's Murray cod, golden perch and trout fisheries will be among region-specific topics.

The forums are free, with no registration required.

For more details, visit the VFA website at vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-forums-2026