Completion of an $8 million upgrade to water treatment infrastructure has cleared the way for recreational fishing to return to Tarago Reservoir at Neerim South.

It has been a long wait for keen anglers - almost 50 years - and it will be about another year before the storage will re-open to fishing.
Minister for outdoor recreation Steve Dimopoulos said concept plans for a single lane boat ramp, car park, amenity block and floating pontoon to help launch and retrieve boats were now being drawn up ahead of construction to start next spring.
Detailed designs, planning permits, new waterway management rules and cultural heritage management plans would be completed before construction starts.
Rules for recreational fishers will be announced before the opening expected to be in late 2025.
Mr Dimopoulos said the $4.4 million project to provide facilities for fishing was being funded from the Better Boating Fund.
The location at the end of North Jindivick Rd was chosen from three sites considered and was deemed the most suitable with its access to a suitable depth of water for launching boats and minimising tree clearing and excavation.
Victorian Fisheries Authority engaged maritime engineers to lead an analysis of the sites in conjunction with the department of the environment, energy and climate action, Melbourne Water and Baw Baw Shire council.
The desire for fishing at the reservoir has long been strong among keen fishermen from the district and the eastern metropolitan area since it was stopped in 1977.
The new water treatment infrastructure will ensure fishing does not impact the quality of water the reservoir supplies for domestic use in south-east Melbourne and several Gippsland communities.
Trout stocking of the reservoir occurred before the 1977 closure to fishing.
Mr Dimopoulos said when it becomes available to fishers next year the reservoir has the potential to be a major tourist drawcard for the area with benefits flowing to local accommodation providers and other small businesses.
It will give boaters and fishers the chance to get out into Victoria's great outdoors, he said.