Lovers of fishing, fresh seafood and music can enjoy their Labour Day long weekend in style at the biggest and best Hooked on Lakes event yet.
This year’s edition had been tuned up with more live music than ever before, including a headline act from The Pierce Brothers, plus kids fishing clinics and activities, catch and cook demonstrations, tours with Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op (LEFCOL), a fishing and outdoor swap-meet and loads more.
A seafood extravaganza the evening before on Saturday, March 8 is another new addition.
Hosted by LEFCOL at their Off The Wharf Cafe, it’s going to be a delicious evening celebrating fresh Victorian seafood from the East Gippsland region.
Hooked on Lakes is also backed by East Gippsland Shire Council and Emergency Recovery Victoria’s Local Government Bushfire Recovery Funding.
What’s on: Seafood extravaganza
When: Saturday, March 8 2025
Where: Off The Wharf Cafe, Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op
Time: 6pm – midnight
What to expect: A showcase of the best Victorian seafood the East Gippsland region has to offer, hosted by Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op at the Off The Wharf Cafe, featuring delicious roaming cold seafood platters and food stations manned by local chefs cooking hot seafood.
Seafood on offer includes oysters, local prawns, gummy shark, flathead tails, squid, ling, dory, orange roughy, blue grenadier and school whiting.
Includes a glass of wine or beer on entry and live music on the night; Tickets are $70 per person.
What’s on: Main event
When: Sunday, March 9 2025
Where: Lakes Entrance Foreshore Reserve
Time: 10am-4pm, with live music and food and drink continuing until 8pm
What to expect: Live music throughout the day until 8pm, including a headline act by the Pierce Brothers; Tours with Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op (LEFCOL).
Accessible via shuttle bus, co-op tours will feature samples, filleting demos and the chance to buy fresh seafood direct from the Bullock Island facility, which also boasts the Off The Wharf Café; Seafood cooking demonstrations to inspire by Sam Mahlook from local restaurant The Minotaur; Fish filleting and preparation tips from LEFCOL; Food stands selling fresh fish, local prawns and cooked seafood including Mitchelson Fisheries; Free come and try fishing clinics for kids run by Fishcare 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; Fishing and outdoor swap-meet, where you can donate, trade or pick up recycled fishing and outdoor equipment; Aquaculture Hub to learn more about the Victorian aquaculture industry with free samples of Victorian-grown produce, including Mainstream Barramundi; Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) network leaders providing a range of fishing and boating tips, as well as guidance on how to get involved with the network; Fish dissections with fisheries scientist Dr Corey Green to discover the fascinating anatomy of popular species; The Better Boating team discussing Victoria’s biggest ever boat ramp construction program; Local markets run by Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association; Stalls with representatives from Seafood Industry Victoria, Leftrade, OzFish, AFMA, Recycled Rigs and Marine Mammal Foundation; Family-friendly areas to lay down a picnic rug and enjoy the waterfront views.
