Free family fishing event | Saturday 1 August 2026 | 9:00am – 3:00pm
Event details
Date: Saturday 1 August 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Palms Lawn, Albert Park Lake, next to the Albert Park Lake Rowing Club
Cost: Free
Bookings: Essential, as places are limited
Fishcare Victoria is bringing Catch a Carp to Albert Park Lake for a fun, hands-on day of fishing, learning and environmental action.
This free community event is all about helping people understand the impact European carp have on Victoria’s waterways, while giving families and beginner anglers the chance to learn practical fishing skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Whether you have been fishing for years or have never picked up a rod before, our Fishcare Victoria staff and volunteers will be there to help you get started, set up your gear, learn how to fish for carp and understand why managing this invasive species is so important for the health of our rivers, lakes and wetlands.
About the event
European carp are one of Victoria’s most damaging aquatic pest species. They stir up sediment, reduce water quality, damage aquatic vegetation and compete with native fish for food and habitat.
Catch a Carp is designed to bring the community together to learn more about this issue in a practical, positive and family-friendly way. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to take part in guided fishing clinics, explore aquatic habitat displays, learn about carp impacts and discover how everyone can play a part in protecting Victoria’s waterways.
What’s happening on the day?
Fishcare Victoria fishing clinics
Fishcare Victoria will run guided carp fishing clinics suitable for beginners, families and more experienced anglers. Our team will provide support with setting up rods, baiting hooks, casting, fishing safely and handling carp responsibly.
Fishing equipment will be available to borrow, although participants are welcome to bring their own gear.
Waterway health and habitat education
Participants will learn about the impacts of European carp on native fish, aquatic plants and waterway health, and how simple actions can help protect local environments.
OzFish Unlimited habitat activities
OzFish Unlimited will showcase practical habitat restoration projects and explain how healthy waterways support strong native fish populations. Their displays will help participants understand what makes a healthy aquatic ecosystem and why habitat protection matters.
Keith Bell carp demonstrations
Keith Bell, one of Australia’s leading carp utilisation advocates, will demonstrate how carp can be responsibly processed and cooked. His demonstrations highlight how this invasive species can be put to good use rather than wasted, when carp are sourced from suitable waterways.
Please note: carp caught at Albert Park Lake during the event will not be consumed or used in the cooking demonstrations.
Albert Park Lake is an urban lake and fish from this location are not considered suitable for consumption. Urban waterways can be affected by stormwater runoff, pollution, water quality issues and other environmental factors that may make fish unsafe to eat.
The cooking demonstrations will use carp sourced from other approved waterways. Carp caught at Albert Park Lake will be managed separately and removed from the waterway as part of the event’s pest fish education and management focus.
This approach allows participants to learn about carp utilisation in appropriate circumstances, while also reinforcing the important message that fish should only be eaten when they come from suitable and safe waterways.
Free parking, public toilets, a café and accessible amenities are located nearby.
What to bring
Participants are welcome to bring their own fishing gear if they have it, but equipment will be available to borrow on the day.
We recommend bringing:
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- A hat and sunscreen
- A water bottle
- Comfortable shoes
- Your own fishing gear, if you would like to use it
Bookings and important information
Bookings are essential as places are limited. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your booking so your place can be offered to someone else.
Sessions may be cancelled due to adverse weather, unsafe conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Any cancellations will be communicated by email and SMS before the event. Please include your mobile number when registering, as SMS is the quickest way for us to contact participants with important updates.
Photography and privacy
Photos and videos may be taken during the event for reporting and promotional purposes. If you do not wish to appear in photos or videos, please let a Fishcare Victoria staff member know when you arrive.
Personal information collected through registration will be used for event communication, reporting and participation purposes. You can view Fishcare Victoria’s Privacy Statement on our website.
A statewide education program
This event forms part of Fishcare Victoria’s statewide Catch a Carp education program, delivered in partnership with OzFish Unlimited and local community organisations.
The program aims to raise awareness of European carp, support responsible fishing practices and inspire positive action to help protect Victoria’s waterways and native fish habitats.
We look forward to seeing you at Albert Park Lake for a fantastic day of fishing, learning, prizes and community action.
