East Gippsland anglers are set to see improved fishing access and habitat, with the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority receiving $98,000 from the Victorian Government’s Recreational Fishing Grants Program.
The funding will help increase woody habitat for native fish in the Mitchell, Nicholson, and Tambo River estuaries, benefiting species such as black bream, estuary perch and Australian bass. The initiative is part of a wider $2 million funding boost shared among 20 projects across Victoria aimed at enhancing facilities and opportunities for recreational fishing.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said the grants are about encouraging Victorians to get outdoors, create memories, and build stronger communities. “These grants will improve facilities, encouraging more Victorians to fish more often,” he said. “Fishing is a fun and cost-effective activity that gets people outdoors and helps to build stronger connections in the community.”
Other funded projects across the state include new fishing platforms, education campaigns targeting carp fishing, and continued monitoring of native fish populations through the Native Fish Report Cards program.
The large grants category of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program remains open for projects worth up to $100,000, with applications closing on February 28, 2026.
Victoria stocks more fish than any other state or territory in Australia combined, giving residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the state’s rivers, lakes and estuaries.
