AWAY THEY GO: Yearlings from the hatchery are gathered in preparation for their release into Lake Wendouree. PHOTO: JEREMY BANNISTER.
The latest arrivals at Lake Wendouree are thousands of young trout.
On Saturday, the Ballarat Trout Hatchery released another 2000 yearling brown trout, the third lot of 2000 trout they've released for the month.
Trout hatchery secretary Peter Burnett said that, because of the drought, it was the first time in 10 years they've made any releases into the lake.
The Ballarat Trout Hatchery is 142 years old, the oldest hatchery in mainland Australia.
Mr Burnett said the yearlings were about 40 to 60 grams at the time of release, but they would be about one kilogram a year from now.
"It's great that we can finally get fish back in there," Mr Burnett said.
