The lake is one of five in the south-west that have been stocked with 1000 young fish.

Premier and member for South West Coast Denis Napthine said the fingerlings were between two and five centimetres in length and would grow to a catchable size of 27 centimetres within the next three to four years.

Dr Napthine said the estuary perch were often referred to as the “barramundi of the south”  by keen anglers.

Other lakes to receive the fingerlings are Lake Hamilton, Lake Beaufort, Lake Bolac and Lake Struan, near Lismore.

The release had been jointly funded by revenue from the sale of fishing licences and the state government’s $16 million recreational fishing initiative that is helping to upgrade fishing facilities across the state.

The Premier reminded fishers to ensure they were licensed before casting a line.

“Children under the age of 18 and our senior citizens over the age of 70 don’t require a licence but for everyone else preparing to fish will need to ensure they are licensed,” Dr Napthine said this week. 

“Licences can be purchased from local fishing and tackle shops and other retail outlets such as newsagencies and sport stores,” he said.

ehimmelreich@fairfaxmedia.com.au