ANGLERS looking for a school holiday treat should travel to East Gippsland in Victoria for this year's Festival of Fishing.

The event kicks off on September 20 with a two-day Fishing Expo at the Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall. Fishing clubs, tackle stores, environment groups and tour operators will provide displays and demonstrations to introduce visitors to fishing and East Gippsland's favourite fishing spots. Gold coin entry fee applies.

Exhibitors include Nicholson Angling Club, Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club, Fishcare, Coastcare, VRFish, Parks Victoria, and charter and tackle operators.

From September 22 to 26, a series of daily events will take place at various locations under the Get Into Fishing banner.

Anglers can participate in the free events, including fishing for beginners workshops with Fishcare and angling clubs, discovery walks along the coast, or hop aboard an affordable fishing trip or eco tour on one of the amazing East Gippsland lakes.

At the end of the week, September 27 and 28, a family fishing competition will be run by the Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club at Lakes Entrance.

The competition covers rivers, lakes, surf, or ocean with a prize for heaviest fish in each of 13 species categories: tailor, Australian salmon, black bream, luderick, flathead, whiting, snapper, trevally, trout, estuary perch, Australian bass, gummy shark and carp.

Each competitor may only weigh in one fish per species over the two days of competition. There will be additional prizes for entrants with a disability card, 10 years and younger, and women who weigh in a fish.

Any entrant weighing in an undersized fish will be disqualified from the competition.

Entrants may pre-register (before September 24) for the competition by phoning 1800 637 060, visiting www.fishcare.org.au, or registering on either day of the competition at the GLFC rooms from 7am. Entry to the competition is free, and open to everyone.

GLFC will host a barbecue on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at their clubrooms near North Arm boat ramp at Lakes Entrance.