January 2, 2026
The summer school holidays are here and it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy time with your family! Fishing is a family-friendly activity, can be enjoyed by all ages, gets you out in the great outdoors and it’s a fantastic form of exercise with multiple health benefits.
There are a range of free fishing events that your kids can get involved in over the school holidays.
FISHCARE FISHING CLINICS
Fishcare Victoria is a community based not-for-profit organisation promoting responsible and sustainable fishing practices. Fishcare typically run kids fishing clinics across the state throughout the school holidays.
Their summer kids program starts on 6 January 2026. Through the program, their staff and volunteers will be teaching kids to fish responsibly and sustainably, while respecting our marine life and habitats.
Visit their website for more information and to book your spot.
VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAM
The Victorian Fisheries Authority will be hosting a range of activities at the Marine Discovery Centre in Queenscliff.
Visit their website here for more information and to view the full program.
HOOKED ON PORTLAND
Glenelg Shire Council in partnership with the Victorian Fisheries Authority will be hosting the annual Hooked on Portland seafood and fishing festival will be held on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 January 2026 at the Portland Foreshore.
HOOKED ON SHEPPARTON
A new summer event Hooked on Shepparton will be held at Victoria Park Lake on Friday 23 January 2026 from 4pm to 9pm. The event will include a community fishing competition with prizes, along with food trucks, entertainment, activities and giveaways. The event is hosted by Greater Shepparton City Council with funding from the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
FAMILY FISHING LAKES
For those after a family-friendly day out without attending an event, you cannot go wrong with taking your family to a family fishing lake. These lakes are located throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. Throughout the year, the Victorian Fisheries Authority stock ready-to-catch rainbow trout as they typically respond to a variety of baits and lures making it easy to reel in a fish. The lakes bode good access making them a great option for families looking to wet a line.
For more information on family fishing lakes, including where they are and what’s been stocked, visit school holiday trout stocking. The Victorian Fisheries Authority have also developed a handy Family Fishing Guide with further tips and tricks for fishing in Family Fishing Lakes.
LET’S MAKE FISHING BETTER
As the peak body for recreational fishing, we’re here to represent the interests of Victorian recfishers. Whether it’s fish habitat, water security and quality, fishing access and infrastructure or best practice, we aim to work in partnership to make sure Victoria’s fishing experiences continue to improve, be sustainable and more enjoyable for all generations of Victorians.
If you have any ideas on how we can make your fishing even better, get in contact with us! Let us know how your fishing is going, what the fishing is like at your favourite waterway, any stocking you’d like to see, and any other suggestions that can make your fishing better. You can send us an email via [email protected]
When you are sharing your photos online, don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Instagram or send us a DM! Use @VRFish and #VRFish so we can see your photos – we just love to see where the fish are biting.
