A new draft 5-year action plan is being developed to support the future of recreational fishing in NSW. The draft Enhancing Recreational Fishing in NSW Action Plan 2026–2031 outlines how the NSW Government will strengthen the recreational fishing sector by: creating more places to fish, improving access to waterways; and supporting healthy fish stocks and aquatic habitats. [...]
Our Fish Stocking and Enhancement team recently released the first batch of Dusky Flathead fingerlings for the 2025-26 marine stocking season. Just over 30,000 juvenile flathead have been liberated into Lake Conjola and Burrill Lake, two popular Recreational Fishing Havens on the NSW South Coast. We’re hoping to stock even more flatties into St Georges Basin [...]
Late each spring yellowtail kingfish turn up along the Victorian coastline, usually when the water temperature rises in excess of 16 degrees. Scott Gray explains how to target these mighty pelagics. Each year the dawning of spring and the rising temperatures bring new hopes about how good the coming season will be and wonderment about [...]
Inlet Deployments Now Complete Victoria’s Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) are officially back in the water, marking the start of another exciting season for recreational fishers along the Surf Coast. Over the past couple of months, our science team has been busy offshore to reinstall and deploy FADs off Torquay, Lorne and Aireys Inlet— bringing the [...]
Our Victorian coastline offers recreational fishers extensive and rewarding fishing opportunities to fish from rock ledges, submerged rocks and rock faces. Whether fishing from a jetty, going for a dive, fishing from a boat or rock fishing, we want every fisher to return home safely. Despite being a popular way to fish, there are serious dangers [...]
Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG, also known as abalone disease) continues to be prevalent in South Australian waters west of the Victorian border and poses a high risk to the Victorian abalone population. In response, the Victorian Fisheries Authority has issued a Fisheries (Abalone Disease Control) Notice 2026 to maintain existing management controls implemented to prevent the spread of the virus into [...]
The school holidays are a great excuse to get the kids outdoors, enjoy some fresh air and go fishing. Fishing is one of the best activities you can participate in with your family. It can be enjoyed by all ages, allows you to connect with nature, and is a great form of exercise. As an [...]
By Anthony McGrath, VRFish Executive Officer The World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) is an internationally renowned gathering of the best and brightest minds in recreational fishing. Held every three years or so, the WRFC brings together fisheries managers, scientists, advocates and operators from every corner of the world to share knowledge and ideas with the goal of [...]
VRFish has announced the unanimous election of Scott Jefferis as its new Deputy Chair. We are thrilled to announce Scott Jefferis as VRFish Deputy Chair signifying an exciting change in leadership at Victoria’s recreational fishing peak body. A lifelong recreational fisher, Scott joined the VRFish Board in 2024. He is the Vice President of the Dunlop Bayswater [...]
Port Phillip is a hotspot for anglers targeting yellowtail kingfish, drawing recfishers from across the state to its waters to go fishing with friends and family. Kingys are a prized sports fish that put on a good fight and have continued to grow in popularity with Victorian recfishers. A renowned kingfish fishing spot, the Rip presents [...]
