Get your tackle ready for Gone Fishing Day at Lake Wallace

Gone Fishing Day is an annual initiative by the NSW Department of Primary Industries to encourage new and experienced anglers to enjoy the recreational sport.

Another purpose of the day is to educate anglers about removing pest species such as carp and redfin, which were responsible for the closure of the lake and a major fish die-off in January this year.

The official Gone Fishing Day throughout the state was held on Sunday, October 13 but the local event was moved to Sunday, October 20 so it didn't coincide with the Bathurst 1000 race.

According to the President of the Wallerawang Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS) Ben Lane, preparation for the weekend is almost complete and there's plenty up for grabs.

"It's looking pretty good for prizes and giveaways for the day. We're praying on the weather, which is the biggest thing," Lane said.

"You don't have to be a fisherman to win any of the prizes that we've got," CAS Secretary Ray Tang said.

100 brood stock rainbow trout ranging between four and five kilos were released into the lake on Tuesday, October 15 ready for keen anglers to reel in on the day.

"The main goal of the day is to get people out and about," Tang said.

"The day is more about that than us raising money, but any funds raised out of the day do go to community projects like fishing facilities," Lane said.

Lane and Tang said Gone Fishing day has a range of benefits for the community and provides an opportunity for people to fall in love with the inclusive sport.

"It's fantastic. If anything it benefits the socio-economic aspect. Tourism wise it's [Lake Wallace] a bit of an untapped area, it's highly under-utilised," Tang said.

"The good thing about it is you can be two years old to 90 years old, you can be disabled, you can be abled. Everyone can participate," Lane said.

Lane and Tang said the CAS is appreciative of the local businesses that have supported the event.