Fishing enthusiasts and seafood lovers are invited to the free Hooked on Lakes festival at Lakes Entrance on Sunday, March 8, during the Labour Day long weekend.
The event, held at the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Reserve, runs from 11am to 4pm, with live music, food, and drinks continuing through to 8pm.
The festival offers a fun and educational day for families, featuring kids’ fishing clinics, tours, demonstrations, and plenty of fresh, local seafood. Victoria’s port of Lakes Entrance is home to an offshore commercial fishing fleet catching prawns, flathead, gummy shark, school whiting, squid, pilchards, and rock
lobster, much of which is available at local restaurants and the Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-op (LEFCOL).
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Acting CEO Luke O’Sullivan said the event was a great way for families to spend a day together.
“It’s a chance to learn about recreational and commercial fishing, boating and aquaculture, plus it’s a wonderful excuse to visit beautiful Lakes Entrance,” he said.
Event highlights include:
– Shuttle bus tours to LEFCOL
– Seafood cooking demonstrations and fish filleting tips
– Free kids’ fishing clinics run by Fishcare
– A Kids Zone with fish-themed craft activities and story time
– A fishing and outdoor swap meet for recycled gear
– Aquaculture Hub showcasing Victoria-grown seafood with free samples
– Tips from Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB)
– Fish dissections with fisheries scientist Dr Corey Green
– Victoria’s Better Boating team explaining the boat ramp construction program
– Stalls from Seafood Industry Victoria, Leftrade, and AFMA
– OzFish aquatic ecology sessions
– A pop-up market run by Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association
From 2–6pm, the festival will feature Battle of the Bands and Battle of the Buskers, giving 12 bands and 10 solo performers from across Gippsland the chance to shine.
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Winners, determined by public vote on the day, will receive prizes including two PA systems valued at more than $2000, donated by Fitzpatricks Entertainment.
Local favourites Pierce Brothers will headline the evening, returning after last year’s performance.
“We are stoked to be back playing Hooked on Lakes at the foreshore reserve overlooking the epic Gippsland Lakes and Ninety Mile Beach – it’s one of the best stage views we’ve experienced and the local crowd were incredible,” Patrick Pierce said.
Hooked on Lakes is a free community event, running from 11am to 4pm with live music, food trucks, and drinks extending until 8pm.
For more information and to book activities, visit Hooked on Lakes Entrance – VFA.
