July 21, 2025
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation have announced the date for this year’s Gone Fishing Day, Sunday 19th October 2025.
Gone Fishing Day is Australia’s largest celebration of our favourite pastime – recreational fishing. It also provides an opportunity to highlight the many benefits of recreational fishing to an individual’s health and wellness.
GRANTS FOR FISHING CLUB GONE FISHING DAY EVENTS
The Victorian Fisheries Authority is encouraging fishing clubs to run their own Gone Fishing Day community fishing events by offering small grants to help you run your community fishing event.
Fishing clubs can apply for Victorian Fisheries Authority grants of up to $5,000 through the Recreational Fishing Small Grants Program. Examples of what funding can be provided for include catering, equipment hire (marquees, toilets, etc.), service providers (e.g. first aid provider, lifeguards, etc.), bait and tackle, promotion (including through digital platforms) and other running costs.
Condition and guidelines, and a link to the online application form, are available here.
Applications for grants to fund Gone Fishing Day events will be considered through until Friday 29 August.
GONE FISHING DAY
The theme for 2025 is Fishing for Community, encouraging everyone to connect with local fishing clubs, participate in fishing competitions or community fishing days, and discover the community and social benefits fishing has. Recreational fishing fosters strong social ties by bringing families, friends, and diverse groups together, enabling shared experiences, intergenerational knowledge transfer and cultural exchange.
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) is the Australian peak body representing Australia’s 5-million recreational fishers at the national level.
