Hundreds of rainbow and brown trout released into Drakesbrook Weir

Hundreds of trout fry, yearlings and ex-breeding fish have been released into Drakesbrook Weir near Waroona.

On Saturday, the 'Troutfest' attracted hundreds of visitors who had the opportunity to release trout into the weir as well as try their luck at catching a fish.

Troutfest is an annual community stocking event organised by Recfishwest and the Shire of Waroona.

"Trout fishing is not only a popular fishing experience, it also injects around $20 million annually into our regional economies," Fisheries Minister Don Punch said.

"Community events like Troutfest are a fantastic way to get families involved and demonstrate the importance of stocking programs to maintaining sustainable freshwater fisheries."

Trout for the stocking program are bred at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre.

Around 185,000 rainbow and brown trout fingerlings, yearlings and ex-broodstock will be released into 55 dams and rivers in the South-West, Great Southern and Peel regions as part of this year's stocking program.

Nearly 10,000 anglers are licensed for freshwater fishing in Western Australia.