Metro Stonker Trout Stocking Melbourne 2023.
In Late August 2023, exactly 1,000 large rainbow trout were stocked into 17 popular metro fishing lakes across Melbourne. The term Stonkers has been given to these large ex-broodstock rainbow trout which are up to 7 kilos in size. This initiative is funded by your fishing license fees and the State Government’s $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers, and aquaculture.
Watch our detailed video below on how these metro stonkers are stocked and how to catch them
For experienced anglers, these trout may not be the greatest fighters but for those new to fishing this may just be a fish of a lifetime, and even better is that you can catch them close to home in metro suburban lakes.
Here is the list of lakes stocked with stonker trout in 2023
| Water | Number stocked |
| Albert Park Lake | 120 |
| Berwick Springs Estate Lake | 40 |
| Casey Fields Lake | 40 |
| Caulfield Racecourse Lake | 50 |
| Don Lake (Healesville) | 35 |
| Ferntree Gully Quarry | 60 |
| Garfield Lake | 10 |
| Karkarook Lake (Moorabbin) | 150 |
| Lilliput Lane Reserve (Pakenham) | 15 |
| Lilydale Lake | 140 |
| Navan Park Lake (Melton) | 30 |
| Pakenham Lake | 90 |
| Rowville Lakes (Sutton and Hill Lakes) | 40 |
| Roxburgh Park Lake | 30 |
| Spavin Drive Lake (Sunbury) | 30 |
| Yarrambat Lake | 120 |
Please remember that a daily bag limit of five trout applies in Family Fishing Lakes, of which only two trout can exceed 35cm. Shortly after more trout will be coming as part of the annual Eildon trout festival. The Eildon Pondage and Goulburn River, between Eildon and Molesworth, will also be stocked with 2000 stonkers for the trout season opening on Saturday 2 September 2023.
How to catch a Stonker Trout
You can use a variety of lures and baits to catch stonker trout. We have some detailed workshops about this in the FishingMad Members Area which you may find really helpful.
Best lures and soft plastics to catch a stonker trout
- Daiwa Double Cluteches
- Duor Realis Ryuki Spearheads
- Strike Pro Bob and Spoons
- Tassie Devils
- Wonder Wobblers
- 2.5 inch grubs and paddle tails
- eco gear MX48
- Spinners
- Bullet Lures
- OSP bent Minnows
- Jointed minnows
Best Bait to catch a stonker trout
- Mudeye
- Maggots
- Powerbait
- Corn
- Scrub Worms
Thanks for reading Metro Stonker Trout Stocking Melbourne 2023. You can follow our member’s area and the FishingMad YouTibe channel for more details about catching these awesome fish. if you have any questions don’t hesitate to email us at enquiries@fishingmad.com.au
You can follow the Victorian Fisheries website for more updates around Metro Stonkers, and also follow FishingMad videos to stay across what’s fishing well around Melbourne.