MANY small lakes and dams across the North East are now brimming with rainbow trout, ready for families to enjoy the great outdoors these school holidays.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Steve Dimopoulos, said thousands of ready to catch rainbow trout have been released in the public waterways as part of the government's $96 million package to improve fishing.

Minister Dimopoulos said many of the freshly stocked lakes have fishing platforms, walking tracks, barbecues and playgrounds – making it a fun and easy day out for the whole family.

"Rainbow trout are the perfect catch for beginners because they can easily be caught using widely available bait," he said.

North East water storages stocked for the school holidays are:

- Tronoh Dredge Hole Harrietville - 500 trout;

- Glenrowan Recreational Reserve Lake - 300 trout;

- Lake Sambell Beechworth - 550 trout;

- Stanley Ditch Dam - 500 trout;

- King Lake Rutherglen - 200 trout;

- Andrews Lake Chiltern - 500 trout;

- Allans Flat Dredge Hole Yackandandah - 750 trout;

- Arboretum Dam Euroa - 300 trout; and

- Golf Course Dam Longwood - 300 trout.

Anglers are reminded that a daily bag limit of five trout applies, of which only two can exceed 35 centimetres.

More information about fishing can be found in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide which is available for free at most bait and tackle shops, online at vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or via the free Vic Fishing app on your smartphone.