The fourth annual Southern Forests Trout Festival brought together hundreds of locals, families and visitors to celebrate WA’s thriving freshwater fishery at Big Brook Dam in Pemberton.
Around 250 attendees gathered on the white sands beneath towering karri trees to hand-release hundreds of rainbow and brown trout raised at DPIRD’s nearby Pemberton Hatchery.
This included some of the biggest sized broodstock trout we’ve seen in recent years!
Around 300 rainbow and brown trout are now swimming freely around the stunning Big Brook Dam in Pemberton thanks to the community’s efforts.
It was also good to see Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis making her first Trout Festival appearance on the day and getting hands on releasing trout.
Check out the highlights from this special day in the video below!
All these trout were expertly reared around the corner at DPIRD’s Pemberton hatchery – with specimens ranging from mid-sized yearlings around 30cm long to impressive broodstock fish measuring over 50cm.
At the event the Minister officially launched the new Pemberton Trout Trail – an Australian Trout Foundation (WA) initiative supported by Government – which has seen a stretch of 1.6km of the Lefroy River cleared of brambles to allow access to fishers and bush walkers alike.
Minister Jarvis also had freshwater fishers buzzing with the announcement of exploration to improved land-based access at Big Brook Dam through the possibility of an all abilities floating fishing platform at Big Brook Dam.
She announced a $38,000 feasibility study for the structure through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund for a feasibility study into improving land-based access at Big Brook Dam through exploring options for an all-abilities floating fishing platform.
“I look forward to DPIRD, DBCA and Recfishwest working together to explore ways to make Big Brook Dam even more accessible for local anglers and visitors,” Minister Jarvis said.
Along with the fish stocking, attendees tried their hand at freshwater fishing, aided by DPIRD waiving freshwater licence fees for a nine-day period between the Waroona Troutfest and this event.
Recfishwest was pleased to see DPIRD respond positively to our call for this and will explore the possibility of this arrangement reoccurring again in the future.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said the event showcased the strong community behind WA’s freshwater fishery.
“The joy on people’s faces said it all – this festival is about community, connection and celebrating the South-West’s unique freshwater fishing experiences,” Dr Rowland said.
“It’s fantastic to see the Government continuing to invest in this fishery, which delivers enormous social and economic benefits for regional WA.”
Recfishwest acknowledges the dedication of Simon and Petula Holland from the Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club, and thanks event partners including DPIRD, Daiwa, Healthway, the Australian Trout Foundation and WATFAA for helping make the festival such a success.
