More than 225,000 dusky flathead have been stocked into East Gippsland estuaries over the past five years, further improving recreational fishing opportunities and supporting regional businesses that rely on tourism.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive officer Travis Dowling said angler interest in the species continues to grow and this season’s stocking of 62,300 dusky flathead fingerlings recognised their significance as a sportfish and on the family dinner table.
“Since the removal of commercial net fishing in the Gippsland Lakes, we have stocked close to 190,000 duskies into that system alone, including more than 47,000 fish this year,” Mr Dowling said.
Other waters stocked this season were Mallacoota Inlet (10,000) and Bemm River (5000).
Mallacoota has long been a popular destination with anglers targeting duskies however the Gippsland Lakes has burst onto the scene in the last few years offering trophy fish of 90cm and more, along with smaller fish in the 35-55cm slot limit that may be kept for a meal.
Although these giant flathead must be released, they are considered a ‘fish of a lifetime’ by many, and are attracting sportfishers from far and wide, especially lure casters in boats.
Some of these same keen anglers are also the volunteers who help collect broodfish duskies each January, which are carefully transported to a hatchery where their offspring grow to fingerling size over seven to eight weeks.
Dusky flathead are one of several species stocked annually by the VFA, which will again release a nation-leading 10 million fish across Victoria, more than all other states and territories in Australia combined.
Dusky fingerlings grow quickly and reach the minimum size of 35 centimetres in two to three years. An upper size limit of 55cm ensures large, mature female duskies are protected from harvest and can breed naturally in estuaries when favourable conditions prevail.
An increasing number of recreational fishers are enjoying the Gippsland Lakes fishery, which has traditionally been famous for black bream, but now offers something more, adding to its year-round appeal and providing a valuable tourism boost for local businesses like caravan parks, pubs, bakeries and cafes.
The VFA is offering a $1000 tackle voucher to the first angler who lands a dusky of a metre or more from the Gippsland Lakes.
