Next month’s Labour Day long weekend will be a day in the outdoors for families to remember, with the free Hooked on Lakes fishing and seafood event on Sunday 10 March, backed by the Allan Labor Government.

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced the event, which is now in its seventh year. This is a great opportunity to explore East Gippsland, enjoy locally caught fish, learn more about where it comes from, and get the kids hooked on fishing in clinics run by experts.

Home to one of Australia’s biggest commercial fishing fleets and wonderful recreational fishing too, Lakes Entrance is a fishing mecca and the perfect destination to celebrate fresh, locally caught seafood.

Hooked on Lakes will showcase fresh fish caught by commercial fishers off the coast, other delicious local produce and sensational fishing across East Gippsland.

Based at the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Reserve, the free event will run from 10am till 4pm and feature:

• Seafood cooking demonstrations by Sam Mahlook from The Minotaur, Luke McMenamay-Collins from Sodafish, and Gab Moore from Sailor’s Grave Brewing 
• Fish filleting tips from the Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-Op (LEFCOL) 
• Food stands selling fresh fish, local prawns, and cooked seafood including Mitchelson Fisheries
• Fish dissections to discover the fascinating anatomy of popular species
• Free 'Come and Try' fishing clinics and casting clinics for kids
• Kids Zone filled with fun activities for youngsters including fish themed craft activities, story time and much more with the Fisheries’ education team
• Aquaculture hub explaining local oyster trials with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Corporation, and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority
• Meet the leaders of the Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) network to learn more about the group and how to get involved
• Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association’s market stalls 
• Family-friendly areas to enjoy the waterfront views.

The fishing and boating options in Gippsland are so good you can even stay elsewhere around the lakes, wet a line in the morning, then skipper your boat to Lakes Entrance, tie up at the new Better Boating Victoria-funded Bulmer Street jetty and enjoy the event.

To book youngsters into clinics and kids activities, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/hookedonlakes

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh:

“Hooked on Lakes will be another great day out in Lakes Entrance showcasing what the region has to offer.”

“Check out the newly opened Off the Wharf café, right next to the Fishermen’s Co-Op on Bullock Island.”

Quote attributable to Co-Founder and Managing Director of Sailors Grave Brewing Gab Moore:

"I'm really looking forward to having the opportunity to showcase what East Gippsland has to offer with local beers, wines and fish."