LAKES ENTRANCE HOOKS A WINNER WITH ABUNDANCE OF FISHING AND SEAFOOD

The town has long been the showpiece of the Gippsland Lakes, with a permanent population of just 4,500 swelling to 25,000 over summer as families’ flock to enjoy the plentiful kids’ activities on and off the water, abundance of wildlife, including seals and Burrunan dolphins, delicious local produce and seafood bought straight off the boat.

But the coastal waters off Lakes Entrance offer far more than that – particularly for those who wish to catch their own.

“Lakes Entrance is really building its reputation as a great destination for game fishing all year around, especially for adventurous fishers who like to hunt large species, such as broadbill swordfish, which can be found about 80 kilometres offshore,” Tony Kemna, of Far Out Fishing Charters, said.

“Improvements in technology mean more boats can travel further offshore to reach the Continental Shelf. We also have a safe harbour and dredged channel to support a variety of boats.”

Situated at the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes, the largest inland lakes system in Australia, Lakes Entrance was settled

by Europeans in the 1850s and the entrance created to allow ocean-going vessels access between the ocean and the lake.

Other fish species found in the area include big-eyed tuna, southern bluefin tuna, mako shark, striped marlin and albacore tuna. Snapper and gummy shark are commonly caught off Ninety Mile Beach.

The Gippsland Lakes, and neighbouring Lake Tyers, are renowned for prawns and fish such as flathead, bream, trevally, tailor and whiting.

“The region has always been popular with recreational fishers but even if you don’t fish yourself, you’re never far away from the freshest local seafood,” the marketing manager of East Gippsland Marketing Inc, Karly McCaskill, said.

“The Lakes Entrance fishing fleet brings its catch in from Bass Strait where you can buy it straight from the local fishing co-op.”

The region also is popular for people who love to go crabbing or to collect fresh shellfish, such as mussels, on the rocks, walls and jetties around town.

“Crabs are really popular among Chinese visitors and can be found throughout the lake system, and particularly around Bullock Island in Lakes Entrance. They’re caught by placing bait in a crab pot, similar to the way you’d catch lobster.”

All visitors must have a fishing license, and quotas and sizing applies.

Those who prefer to stay land-based can still wash down a meal of freshly caught seafood with a matched local wine in waterfront restaurants, such as Miriam’s Seafood Restaurant or Ferryman’s Seafood Restaurant.

Or pick up supplies to cook yourself at Off the Wharf, the retail outlet run by the Lakes Entrance Fishing Cooperative on Bullock Island, where you can watch the boats unloading their catch while you wait.  Lakes Entrance will host its second annual Hooked on Lakes Entrance Seafood Festival on Sunday March 11, 2018.

For further information visit www.visiteastgippsland.com.au or follow @loveeastgippsland on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter and @lakesentrance on Instagram and Facebook.