ABC’s Gardening guru would’ve cheered—his first fish, his first fist-pump, same moment.
A tiny catch, a massive moment: fishing magic on Lake Alexandrina
The gold wasn’t in the fish—it was in his face
“Caught it myself!” His fingers clenched the line like it was a winning lottery ticket. Somewhere between the bait going on and the bob of the rod, our youngest—mud on his cheeks, hat half falling off—had reeled in a fish all by himself. And you’d swear it was plated in gold the way he held it up to the sky.
If you’ve ever taught a kid to fish, you know the feeling. That mix of disbelief, pride, and glee that bubbles over into squeals only ducks and pelicans can hear. Fishing at Lake Alexandrina, especially from Milang’s foreshore, has a way of turning small moments into lifelong stories.
The shift? One quiet weekend became a memory we’ll hang onto for decades
We came to Milang just looking for fresh air. What we got was a story we’ll tell every birthday dinner from here on. Not because the fish was monstrous (it wasn’t), but because he didn’t stop smiling for two straight hours. That’s the power of this place—it allows these unplanned, vivid moments to slip in when you least expect them.
“It wasn’t just a fish. It was freedom, pride, and a bit of beginner’s luck—all tangled in seaweed.” – Candeece
Why Milang is different from anywhere else you’ve cast a line
- Safe bays, shallow banks: Perfect for teaching little ones how to cast without worrying about deep drop-offs.
- Family-friendly vibe: The foreshore’s got sheltered spots where you can set up camp chairs, roll out the snacks, and settle in.
- Rustic charm meets real locals: The kind of place where neighbours wave, dogs nap under trees, and advice on ‘best worms’ comes with a grin and a story.
People often ask if the fishing here is any good. Sure it is. But the bigger win? The change you see in your kids when they’re trusted to guide the rod. When every nibble of the line feels like a tiny miracle, and the lake reflects back not just sky—but who that kid is becoming.
Let’s not talk fish—we’ll talk faces
The truth is, most of our photos from that day don't even show the fish. They show his crooked grin, the way the breeze ruffled his hair, and how he kept checking the bucket like he couldn’t believe his luck.
And isn’t that the version of childhood we wish we could bottle? No screens, no rush, just sticky hands and open water.
If you’re wondering whether to make the trip...
...go. Pack light. Take snacks. Leave expectations behind. Even if the fish don’t bite (some days, they don’t), the stillness of the water and the light off the hills are catch enough in themselves.
We left Milang with a bucket of wet socks, a phone full of lopsided photos, and a child who now thinks he’s a professional angler. No one’s correcting him.
The best thing we caught?
Belief. In small things. In still moments. In the idea that one quiet lake can shape a whole memory.
Happy trails, and tight lines,
– Candeece
I blog about Strathalbyn and the surrounding area and my mission is to highlight all the small businesses, organisations and events that make our region great. Please reach out if you would like to be involved with guest blogging.
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