Trout, families and festival fun return to the South-West this October!

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to give hundreds of trout a helping hand into their new homes, with Western Australia’s popular community trout stocking events returning this October!

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Waroona Troutfest has given thousands of families and community members the unique experience of releasing trout into one of the South-West’s most picturesque freshwater fishing locations.

The following weekend, the Southern Forests Trout Festival will mark its fifth year with another community trout release at Pemberton’s beautiful Big Brook Dam.

Both events are free and family-friendly, bringing communities together to celebrate Western Australia’s fantastic freshwater fishery and play a hands-on role in supporting better fishing experiences.

A decade of Troutfest in Waroona

Since its launch in 2016, Waroona Troutfest, run in partnership with the Shire of Waroona and DPIRD, has become a popular fixture on Western Australia’s freshwater fishing calendar.

Nearly 300 people braved the wet weather at last year’s event, helping release more than 300 trout, from mid-sized yearlings to large ex-broodstock fish.

This year, families are invited back to Drakesbrook Weir to release hundreds more trout and enjoy a range of free activities, including fishing clinics, fly-casting demonstrations, face painting and rod-and-reel hire.

Waroona Troutfest

When: Saturday, 3 October, 9am – 1pm
Where: Drakesbrook Weir, Waroona
Cost: Free

For more information on the Waroona Troutfest click here.

Southern Forests Trout Festival celebrates five years

The following weekend, the Southern Forests Trout Festival will celebrate its fifth year when it returns to Big Brook Dam in Pemberton on Sunday, 11 October.

Run in partnership with DPIRD, the Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club and the Shire of Manjimup , the festival offers another opportunity for the community to get hands-on with the stocking program. Last year’s release included some impressive ex-broodstock trout measuring more than 50cm.

Check out the action from a previous year’s Southern Forests Trout Festival below!

Set among Pemberton’s towering karri forest, the event will feature activities for fishers of all ages and experience levels, with opportunities to learn about and experience freshwater fishing alongside knowledgeable local fishers.

Southern Forests Trout Festival

When: Sunday, 11 October, 9am–1pm
Where: Big Brook Dam, Pemberton
Cost: Free

For more information on the Southern Forests Trout Festival click here.

More trout mean more freshwater fishing opportunities

Western Australia’s trout fishery is supported by DPIRD’s comprehensive stocking program, run through its Pemberton hatchery.

This year, DPIRD will stock 77,100 rainbow trout and 500 brown trout across rivers, streams and dams throughout the South-West.

Recfishwest’s Freshwater Reference Group works closely with DPIRD to help guide where trout are released, ensuring the program continues to support quality freshwater fishing experiences across the region.

Recfishwest Operations Lead Matt Gillett said freshwater fishing offered families a safe and accessible way to enjoy the outdoors together.

“These events give people of all ages the chance to get involved, learn about freshwater fishing and help release the fish that will create fantastic experiences for years to come,” Matt said.

“DPIRD run an extensive annual stocking program and work with Recfishwest and the fishing community to ensure these trout are released where they can provide the greatest benefit.

“Whether you’re an experienced freshwater fisher or picking up a rod for the first time, these fisheries offer a safe, affordable and accessible way to enjoy some of the South-West’s most beautiful places.”

Find out more about freshwater fishing in Western Australia, including this year’s trout stocking locations and numbers.