Fishing
About
Fishing is supported by Council at four locations in Cardinia. These guidelines aim to make your fishing experience enjoyable, keep yourself and the non-fishing public safe and to protect the native waterbirds, fauna and flora that live and grow along our waterways.
- Fishing must be carried out in accordance with Victorian Recreational Fishing Guidelines. A valid recreational fishing licence is required. These can be purchased online on the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) website
- Fish cleaning is not permitted at the site.
- Your fishing area must be left clean and tidy with bait properly disposed. Unwanted fishing line and hooks can either be put in the specialised fishing bins provided or taken with you and properly disposed. Many aquatic animals ingest or become entangled in discarded gear such as lines, hooks and netting. The Seal the Loop bins keep all aquatic and other fauna safe by providing anglers with an easy way to responsibly dispose of unwanted fishing gear.
- For everyone's safety
- fishing is only allowed during daylight hours when there is better visibility to see your surroundings and identify hazards.
- Choose a spot to fish where you are separated from non-fishing people who are also enjoying the park or reserve
Where to fish
- Lake Treganowan at Emerald Lake Park, Emerald Emerald Lake Precinct | Emerald – Cardinia Outdoors - There are two Seal the Loop bins to dispose your fishing gear at the eastern end of the lake
- Garfield Recreation Reserve, Garfield Garfield Recreation Reserve | Garfield – Cardinia Outdoors) at the dam at the rear of the Reserve
- Lakeside Park, Pakenham. Fishing bins are located at the boat ramp and the jetty on the south side of the lake Lakeside Park | Pakenham – Cardinia Outdoors
- Lilliput Lane Reserve, Pakenham Lilliput Lane Reserve | Pakenham – Cardinia Outdoors
Responsible fishing
Council encourages the use of wildlife-friendly fishing equipment such as open-top lift nets and hoop nets for recreational yabby fishing. These nets benefit native wildlife such as turtles and platypus and are proven to be effective yabby catchers.
All fishing must be carried out in accordance with Victorian Recreational Fishing Guidelines and is prohibited without a current licence.
A Recreational Fishing Licence is required when taking, or attempting to take, any species of fish by any method, including line fishing, bait collection, gathering shellfish, and yabby fishing.
Injured or sick wildlife
If you find a sick, injured or orphaned native animal while fishing in Cardinia Shire members of the public can report incidents to Wildlife Victoria via the 24/7 Wildlife Emergency Response Service at (03) 8400 7300 or by filling out the online reporting form at www.wildlifevictoria.org.au .
For assistance with deceased animals on council roads and land, such as parks and reserves, members of the public can contact the council via phone 1300 787 624 or email mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
More information about deceased animals can be found by visiting www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/deceasedanimal
Useful links
VFA recreational fishing licences and reporting illegal fishing Recreational - VFA
VFA school holiday trout stocking School holiday trout stocking - VFA
Fishing clubs in Cardinia Angling/fishing | Cardinia Shire Council
Illegal use of opera house yabby nets in Victoria Changes for yabby fishing gear - VFA
Zoos Victoria - Seal the Loop