VRFish launches plan to make fishing better for Victorians

VRFish © VRFish

VRFish, the Victorian recreational fishing peak body, has launched its plan to make fishing better ahead of November's Victorian State Election.

VRFish Chair, Mr. Rob Loats, said "More than one-million Victorian's go fishing every year and VRFish has launched a plan to enhance their fishing experiences now and into the future. We have presented our plan to both sides of Government to advocate for outcomes that are important to Victorian recreational fishers."

At the heart of the plan, VRFish will be advocating for better fishing experiences through five core areas - better fish, better access, better environment, better regulations and better future.

"To increase Victoria's capacity to grow our own fish to meet stocking demands, VRFish are calling for an estuarine fish hatchery to grow species such as estuary perch, Australian bass, mulloway and flathead and modernising trout production facilities at Snobs Creek Hatchery."

VRFish are advocating for recreational fishing access to be mandated at all urban waters throughout Victoria, including Edwardes Park Lake and Newport Lakes, and the development of new inland fisheries close to Melbourne by opening Yan Yean Reservoir, Merrimu Reservoir and Djerriwarrh Reservoir to recreational fishing.

"We are advocating for environmental outcomes that safeguard the quality of our fisheries including implementing carp control measures, investing in fish habitat, expanding native fish recovery programs and allocating recreational water to protect the recreational fishery on the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline."

"Other priorities include reviewing abalone regulations, supporting fishing clubs, improving crown land access and securing the future of VRFish as the peak body."

To effectively represent the Victorian recreational fishing community, VRFish provide a range of opportunities for Victorian recreational fishers to contribute their views and opinions. Their broad and diverse input helps to shape our strategy and advocacy priorities that benefit all recreational fishers.

In the lead up to the election, VRFish will continue discussions with all state political parties to ensure recreational fishers priorities are represented. This demonstrates the value of a strong and independent recreational fishing peak body.

VRFish has been proudly representing Victoria's recreational fishing for over thirty years.

View the full VRFish State Election Policy below or on the VRFish website.

VRFish 2026 State Election Priorities

Better fish

• $10m to establish Victoria's first Estuarine Fish Hatchery, growing Estuary Perch, Australian Bass, Mulloway and Flathead.
• $10m to modernise trout production facilities at Snobs Creek Hatchery.

Better access

• Mandate recreational fishing access to all urban waters throughout Victoria, including Edwardes

Park Lake and Newport Lakes

• Develop new inland fisheries close to Melbourne by opening Yan Yean Reservoir, Merrimu Reservoir and Djerriwarrh Reservoir to recreational fishing.
• Roads to Rivers: Provide additional funding to improve crown land access to public water, by activating 'unused road reserves'.
• Continue to deliver priorities from the Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy.

Better environment

• $2.5m fish habitat fund, for the delivery of marine and inland habitat restoration projects.
• Support carp control measures.
• Water Security: protect the recreational fishery on the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline by allocating recreational water for recreational fishing.
• Native Fish Recovery: broaden the 10 in 10 endangered fish species recovery program, with additional funding for research and monitoring.

Better regulations

• Kingfish Capital: Make kingfish a recreational only species in Victoria.
• Review recreational abalone regulations, with a view to provide more equitable access in 'Victorian Central Waters'.

Better future

• Secure the future of VRFish as the peak body, by extending the funding agreement to 5-year terms.
• Provide VRFish $100,000 to deliver two emerging leader courses in 2027 and 2029.
• Support fishing clubs through a $2,000 'Stronger Fishing Club Grants' program.
• Empower the next generation of fishers through continuing to deliver the 'little angler kits'.