Trout and Salmon Farms in Victoria
Trout and salmon can be mighty hard to catch in the wild and fishing for them would test the patience and skill of any child or parent. Fortunately, trout farms have come to the rescue and turn the odds much more in favour of an inexperienced angler since the fish live in well stocked ponds.
At all the farms you must take and pay for any fish which you catch. Generally there is an admission price which includes rods and bait and a price for the fish you catch which depends on the species and weight.
We packed our tackle box full of lures and went fishing for all the fish farms in Victoria where families can catch a fish for dinner. We found a fishing basket full of them.
The Cripps Family Fish Farm in Baxter on the Mornington Peninsula has four ponds which are stocked with species depending on the season. All gear is supplied for fishing, and just pay for what you catch and take home. They also sell fresh seafood including fish and chips on site. If you want to learn how to fish, they also offer learn to fish lessons.
The Ripe 'N' Ready Cherry Farm at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula has a large trout fishing dam full of rainbow trout with fish up to a kilo.
The Learmonth Trout and Fauna Park is located in Addington, 140 km north west of Melbourne and has trout and yabbies in the ponds.
The Australian Rainbow Trout Farm at Macclesfield in the Dandenong Ranges has highly stocked ponds with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Golden Trout or Atlantic Salmon which provide a lot of action. There is also a big challenge lake, which is quieter, where you can relax for a while, sit down and wait for the fish to bite.
If you want more action, then try a game of mini golf on the 18 hole challenging course.
The Buxton Trout & Salmon Farm is 100 km north east of Melbourne and has a number of ponds with Rainbow Trout or Atlantic Salmon in a natural bush setting. You can fish, have a BBQ or just feed the fish and relax. If you are willing to go big, there is a Challenge pond with rainbow trout weighing 0.5 - 3kg each.
The Mountain Fresh Trout & Salmon Farm in Harrietville is 340 km north east of Melbourne and has free entry with rods and bait provided. You just pay for the cleaned weight of your catch. The ponds have mountain fresh trout and salmon. You can catch a fish, feed the fish or just have a stroll through the many fish breeding ponds set on 19 acres of peace and quiet.
The Alpine Trout Farm in Noojee is 120 km east of Melbourne and offers fishing opportunities for every age and ability. Take advantage of the free rod hire and hook yourself a trout or salmon, or if you're feeling adventurous give fly-fishing a try in the dedicated pond with expert instruction. Afterwards you can cook your spoils in one of the BBQ areas.
At Tuki Trout Farm in Smeaton, 140 km north west of Melbourne, you are guaranteed to catch a trout. There are six ponds you can fish from; a couple at the top of the hill are heavily stocked so success is generally assured, even for anglers who are more inept than myself. After you have caught your trout it can be cleaned and packaged for you to take home or you can have it cooked in the restaurant. For the experienced fisherman the lower ponds offer a chance to practice with your own equipment whether it be a lure or fly rod.
Tommy Finns Trout Farm in Warburton is nestled between Mt Donna Buang and Mt Little Joe. It's a recreational trout fishing farm that provides safe fishing ponds for all ages. The ponds are stocked with lots of plate-sized rainbow trout to test your skill level. There are plenty of picnic tables with some undercover in our 10 acre facility. The large pond format enables you to freely cast your fishing line with plenty of room to feel the outdoor space. Once the fish is caught, they will clean and bag the fish ready for you to take home.