Monaro recreational fishing guide

November 2014 Primefact 1043 Second edition Recreational and Indigenous Fisheries Unit Recreational Fishing Fee Introduction When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater Our State's fisheries are a community-owned and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the resource. We all have a responsibility to protect NSW recreational fishing fee and carry a receipt and safeguard this natural asset for present and showing the payment of the fee. This applies future generations. when spear fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait collecting and prawn netting or Fishing regulations are in place to protect and when in possession of fishing gear in, on or conserve our fish stocks and aquatic habitats to adjacent to waters. ensure that fishing activities remain sustainable. All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing The District boasts a tremendous variety fee is spent on improving recreational fishing in of waterways from which to choose. Situated NSW. Some projects include: mostly on a sub-alpine plateau, typically over 600 m in elevation, the waterways range from large • Angler facilities such as fish cleaning tables and fast running mountain streams to and fishing platforms. slower lowland in the valleys. • Stocking of freshwater fish in dams and Situated in the district are the large dams of rivers. Eucumbene, Jindabyne, , • Essential research on popular recreational Tantangara, Tooma and ponds and dams. fish species. These dams provide the centre of the best mainland trout fishing in and are • Enhancing compliance with fishing rules. regularly stocked with trout. Note: Tantangara • Restoring important fish habitat. does not receive annual stocking of trout – trout recruitment is directly from the spawning • Research stocking of mulloway and prawns streams. in estuaries. Fisheries Officers from NSW Department of • The installation of fish aggregating devices Primary Industries (NSW DPI) routinely patrol (FADs) to enhance fishing opportunities for waterways, boat ramps and impoundments dolphin fish or even tuna and marlin. advising anglers about responsible fishing • Creation of Recreational Fishing Havens. practices and ensuring compliance with NSW fishing regulations. • Angler education and advisory programs such as the Fishcare Volunteer Program, Information on bag and size limits, fishing fishing workshops and fishing guides. closures and legal fishing gear can be obtained free of charge from the NSW DPI website • Building artificial reefs in Lake Macquarie, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries, by calling 1300 Botany Bay, St Georges Basin and Lake 550 474, or by visiting your local NSW DPI Conjola. More reefs in other estuaries are fisheries office. planned. To report illegal fishing activity, call your local • Investigating the building of artificial reefs in fisheries office or the Fishers Watch Phoneline offshore areas. on 1800 043 536. All calls will be treated as confidential and you can remain anonymous.

Monaro recreational fishing guide

You can pay the NSW recreational fishing fee at within 120 m downstream from the weir face of hundreds of agents throughout NSW, such as Khancoban Pondage. over the counter at most fishing tackle shops. You can also pay the fee at some caravan parks, local shops and service stations, many Kmart stores, online at www.licence.nsw.gov.auor by calling 1300 369 365. If you pay for a one year or three year period online, over the phone or at a Touch agent, or if you renew your licence using your renewal letter, you will receive a plastic receipt in the post. Evidence of payment is your receipt number which you must be able to produce if requested by an authorised officer (until you receive your receipt in the post). Note: If you pay for a 3 day or 1 month period, no additional receipt will be posted. Some exemptions apply to paying the fishing fee, including people under the age of 18 and holders of pensioner concession cards. For further information on exemptions visit the NSW DPI Figure 1. Thredbo website or your local fisheries office. Seasonal closures – trout waters You may not need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee if you are fishing on a charter boat General trout streams under the supervision of a fishing guide. Please The following waters are general trout streams check with the charter operator, or guide, before and are closed to the taking of all species of fish you go fishing. If they do not hold a Recreational by any method, from the Tuesday after the June Fishing Fee Exemption Certificate you will need (Queen’s Birthday) long weekend until midnight to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee. on the last Friday before the start of the October (Labour Day) long weekend (inclusive) in each Recreational Fishing Closures year. Total closures The following methods are permitted during the fishing season: a) one attended rod and line with and Gaden Trout Hatchery not more than 2 hooks attached and with not (Figure 1). The following waters are closed to the more than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double hooks, taking of all species of fish by all methods of attached to any lure; and b) a landing net used as fishing: all artificial ponds and other waters within an ancillary for retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait the boundaries of the Gaden Trout Hatchery at fishing is permitted. Jindabyne and the whole of the waters of that part of the Thredbo River (or Crackenback River) General trout streams from the upstream extremity of the public reserve known as ‘Paddy’s Corner’, upstream for a When taking Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown distance of 2.4 km (being those waters adjacent trout and rainbow trout in general trout streams to the Gaden Trout Hatchery) and including the the maximum quantity that a person may take on whole of Sawpit Creek from its with any one day is 5 and the maximum quantity that the Thredbo River (with the exception that a person may have in their possession is 10, persons employed by the NSW Department of consisting of any single species or a combination Primary Industries may take fish in accordance of species. with the management arrangements of the . The following waters are Gaden Trout Hatchery). general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Goodradigbee River, its creeks and Weir closures tributaries upstream from where it enters the . The following waters are backed-up waters of Burrinjuck . closed to the taking of all species of fish by all . The following waters are methods of fishing: the Swampy Plain River general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Murrumbidgee River, its creeks and

2 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015 Monaro recreational fishing guide tributaries upstream from its junction with, and Artificial fly and lure trout streams including, the River The following waters are artificial fly and lure trout (Figure 2). The following streams and are closed to the taking of all waters are general trout waters: the whole of the species of fish by any method, from the Tuesday waters of the Queanbeyan River, its creeks and after the June (Queen’s Birthday) long weekend tributaries upstream of the fence boundary of the until midnight on the last Friday before the start of (about 1 km the October (Labour Day) long weekend downstream of the wall of Googong Dam). (inclusive) in each year. The following methods are permitted during the fishing season: a) one attended rod and line with not more than 2 hooks attached, artificial flies and lures only and with not more than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double hooks, attached to any lure; and b) a landing net used as an ancillary for retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait fishing is not permitted. Note: ‘artificial flies or lures’ does not include the use of ‘powerbait’ or any other similar artificial or manufactured bait product. When taking Atlantic salmon, brook trout, and rainbow trout in artificial fly and lure trout streams the maximum quantity that a person may take on any one day is 2 and the maximum quantity that a person may have in their possession is 4, consisting of any single

species or a combination of species. Figure 2. Queanbeyan River Bobundara Creek. The following waters are . The following waters are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the general trout waters: the whole of the waters of waters of Bobundara Creek and its tributaries the Shoalhaven River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, upstream from its junction with, and including, the the . . (Figure 3). The following . The following waters are general waters are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Tumut of the waters of the Eucumbene River, its creeks River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from its and tributaries upstream from the dam wall of junction . The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Ingeegoodbee River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from the Victorian border. Snowy River. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Snowy River, its creeks and tributaries upstream of the Victorian border. . The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Tuross River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from the Tuross Falls. . The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Murray River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from the road bridge at Tintaldra. Figure 3. Eucumbene River

3 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015 Monaro recreational fishing guide

Lake Eucumbene and including Providence Thredbo River (Figure 1). The following waters Portal. are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the waters of the Thredbo River (or Crackenback Khancoban Creek (Figure 4). The following River), its creeks and tributaries upstream from waters are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole where it enters the backed-up waters of Lake of the waters of Khancoban Creek, together with Jindabyne, but not including that portion of the all of its tributaries, from its confluence with the Thredbo River from the upstream extremity of the backed-up waters of Khancoban Pondage public reserve known as ‘Paddy's Corner’, upstream to its source and including that part of upstream for a distance of 2.4 km (being those Broken Back Creek from the wall of Murray 2 waters immediately adjacent to the Gaden Trout Pondage downstream to its confluence with the Hatchery or the waters of Sawpit Creek). waters of Khancoban Creek. . The following waters are Trout spawning streams artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the The following waters are trout spawning streams waters of the Kybeyan River, its creeks and and are closed to the taking of all species of fish tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not by any method, from Tuesday after the June including, the . (Queens Birthday) long weekend until midnight of . The following waters are the last Friday before the October (Labour Day) artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the long weekend. waters of the Maclaughlin River, its creeks and Open 1: As trout spawning streams: From 1 May tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not morning until midnight Monday June long including, the Snowy River. weekend. . The following waters are Open 2: When otherwise classed as artificial fly artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the & lure streams: From Saturday morning October waters of the Mowamba River (or Moonbah long weekend until midnight 30 April. River), its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Snowy The following methods are permitted during the River. fishing season: a) one attended rod and line with not more than 2 hooks attached, artificial flies Swampy Plain River (Figure 4). The following and lures only and with not more than 3 treble waters are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole hooks, or 3 double hooks, attached to any lure; of the waters of the Swampy Plain River, its and b) a landing net used as an ancillary for creeks and tributaries downstream of the retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait fishing is not southern (upstream) boundary of Khancoban permitted. Station and upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Murray River. Note: ‘artificial flies or lures’ does not include the use of ‘powerbait’ or any other similar artificial or manufactured bait product. When taking Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout in trout spawning streams the maximum quantity that a person may take on any one day is 1 and the maximum quantity that a person may have in their possession is 2, consisting of any single species or a combination of species. The legal length when taking Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout in trout spawning streams is 50 cm. Eucumbene River (Figure 3). The following waters are trout spawning waters: the whole of the waters of the Eucumbene River and its tributaries upstream of the dam wall and including the Providence Portal.

Thredbo River (Figure 1). The following waters Figure 4. Khancoban Creek and Swampy Plain are trout spawning waters: the whole of the River Thredbo River except for a sign posted 2.4 km reach at Gaden Trout Hatchery. Note: The sign

4 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015 Monaro recreational fishing guide

posted 2.4 km reach of the Thredbo River at and have no more than 2 hooks per line with up Gaden Trout Hatchery is completely closed to to 3 treble hooks attached to any lure per line fishing all year round. other than in some trout waters. A lure is considered a single hook. Setlines are not General trout dams permitted. The following waters are general trout dams. Traps and nets. You may use up to 5 yabby These waters are open to fishing all year round. traps, 1 shrimp trap and 5 hoop (lift) nets, other When fishing in general trout dams, up to two than in trout waters where the use of traps and attended rods each with a line may be used with nets is prohibited (except when using up to 5 not more than 2 hooks attached or up to 3 hooks hoop nets in Googong Dam or Lakes Lyell, per line, where those hooks are artificial flies or Wallace, Eucumbene or Jindabyne to take lures. An artificial fly or lure is considered to be a yabbies). single hook. Bait fishing is permitted. A landing net may be used as an ancillary for retrieval of Persons must not set traps or nets for longer than fish lawfully taken. Up to 5 hoop (lift) nets may be 24 hours without lifting those traps or nets. used in Lakes Eucumbene and Jindabyne to take Fishers are encouraged to regularly check set yabbies. Hoop nets must be tagged with the fishing gear, to ensure that any unwanted catch user’s name and address. is returned to the water safely, unharmed. Note. The bag and size limits for general trout The use of yabby traps are not permitted in any dams are the same as the bag and size limits for waters east of the Newell Highway, the Murray general trout streams. River from the Newell Highway at downstream to the Echuca road bridge, the Dam Town from the Murray River at Picnic Coolumbooka Weir Bombala Point downstream to Stevens Weir and the Murrumbidgee River from to the Diggers Creek Dam Perisher Valley road bridge. Khancoban See the Freshwater Recreational Fishing Guide for information on how to correctly identify nets Guthega Lake Jindabyne and traps and their specifications and dimensions Happy Jacks Pondage Khancoban Bowfishing. A pilot program permitting bowfishing in some specific areas will be Jindabyne implemented in 2015 (see www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Khancoban Pondage Khancoban for more information). Lake Crackenback Thredbo Species restrictions Lake Eucumbene Freshwater catfish – eel tailed (Tandanus tandanus). May not be taken by any fishing Lake Jindabyne Jindabyne method in western flowing rivers. May be taken Lake Williams from the backed up waters of listed western impoundments, eastern rivers & eastern dams. Murray 2 Pondage Khancoban Listed waters in the Central Tablelands district Adaminaby are: , and Dam. See the Freshwater recreational Khancoban fishing guide for further details. Tumut Ponds Adaminaby Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). May not be taken by any fishing method in any rivers. May be Tumut 2 Pondage Khancoban taken from the backed up waters of listed Three Mile Dam Kiandra impoundments. Listed waters in the Central Tablelands district are: Ben Chifley Dam, Windamere Dam and . See the General freshwater fishing rules Freshwater recreational fishing guide for further details. Permitted fishing gear and methods (Maccullochella peeli). May not be Two attended lines are permitted in all Lines. taken from the whole of the inland waters of NSW non-tidal waters other than in some trout waters. from 1 September to 30 November (inclusive) in Attended lines must be within 50m, in your sight, each year, except .

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• Chemical or explosive devices: You cannot Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus). May not use any chemical or explosive devices to be taken in any waters at any time other than take or assist to take fish. between June and August (inclusive) in the • Fish filleting: You must not alter the length of following specified waters: a fish which is subject to a minimum or maximum size limit whilst you are in on or (a) Murrumbidgee River between the adjacent to any waters in any manner other Highway road bridge, and 100 m than by gutting, gilling and scaling. You upstream of the weir face at Berembed Weir near cannot remove the head or tail. This rule and does not apply if the fish are being prepared for immediate consumption, are being prepared for immediate use as bait, if the fish (b) Murray River from 130 m below Hume Weir near to the Newell Highway road bridge, are being cleaned at a fish cleaning facility or Tocumwal a fish cleaning table at a boat ramp, or for fish that do not have a legal length. Note: The specified waters include all tributaries, lakes, lagoons, dams, , ponds, canals, Other freshwater fishing rules channels or waterways of the main channels of • Lakes Hume and : NSW fishing the above rivers, except Old Man Creek, which is regulations apply to all of and a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River. Victorian regulations apply to all of Lake Australian bass and estuary perch. May not be Hume. taken in rivers except rivers above • Commercial fishing gear: Leave all impoundments from 1 May to 31 August commercial fishing gear in place and do not (inclusive) in each year other than by catch and disturb commercial fishers going about their release fishing, where any fish caught must be lawful business. Penalties up to $5,500 can returned to the water safely, unharmed. apply. Prohibited fishing methods Fishing safely • It is illegal to use setlines, spear guns, Fishing is fun, but remember to take care and spears, poison or explosives or firearms to exercise caution. These are basic safety tips. take fish, to use a gaff to take fish, to jag or foul hook fish, to use frogs, live finfish • Observe first, fish later. Always check (including carp), live birds or live animals as weather and water conditions before you start bait, or any traps or nets not permitted for fishing. Make sure you are aware of local recreational use, or to sell your catch. It is weather. Listen to weather forecasts or call illegal to keep prohibited size fish – they the weather information line on 1900 937 should be returned to the water immediately 107. Be aware that conditions may change with as little harm as possible. dramatically in a short period of time. • Crayfish: It is illegal to remove heads, tails • Never fish alone and always inform others of and claws from crayfish or possess tails and your fishing plans. Let friends or family know or claws when you are in, on or adjacent to where you are going and when you will be the water. This rule does not apply if the back. crayfish are being prepared for immediate • Care for your own safety and never take consumption, are being prepared for undue risks when fishing, even when fighting immediate use as bait, if the crayfish are fish. Never enter the water to retrieve lost being cleaned at a fish cleaning facility or a tackle or snagged fish. If the location looks fish cleaning table at a boat ramp. It is also dangerous, don’t fish there. illegal to keep crayfish with eggs or to remove those eggs. • Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy vest when boat fishing or when fishing in hazardous locations • Trout and Salmon: It is illegal to use a such as those located near areas of fast setline, hand held lines, traps, nets, a light, moving water. Always wear appropriate non- your hand or a gaff to take trout or salmon in slip shoes. Cleats, sandals and sandshoes trout waters, unless otherwise stated. The with non slip soles suit different surfaces. use of salmon roe or products containing Carry ropes and torches as an additional them is also prohibited. precaution. • If someone falls into the water, look for an angel ring, life buoy or something that floats

6 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015 Monaro recreational fishing guide

and throw it to the person in the water. Alert improved fishing practices are suggested to emergency services by dialling 112 from a maximise fish survival. mobile phone or 000 from a landline. • If a fish is deeply hooked, do not try to • When boat fishing, wear light clothing. Light remove the hook, cut the line as close to the clothing such as shorts and a spray jacket will mouth as possible and release the fish. It is let you swim more easily if you fall overboard. likely to survive if handled carefully. Jumpers may be heavy and difficult to take • Use methods and rigs such as artificial lures off. or non-offset circle hooks (when using bait) • Ask for advice from locals who know the area that increase the frequency of mouth-hooked – they can advise you of good fishing fish. locations and areas to be cautious around. • Barbless hooks can be used to make hook removal easier and minimise hook damage. Wader safety • Minimise the length of time the fish is out of Take extra care when wearing waders. Roads the water. Ideally, unhook the fish while it is and Maritime Services recommends that waders still in the water. Needle-nosed pliers or should not be used in boats in case of capsize or unhooking devices can greatly reduce the swamping. time spent unhooking a fish. Basic wader safety tips include the following. • Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft, • To restrict the amount of water that can enter knotless mesh. waders, fasten a belt around your waist. This must be as firm as possible but always • Avoid dropping the fish on hard or hot comfortable. The belt will also trap air inside surfaces and do not hold the fish by the gills and provide some buoyancy but caution is or eyes. needed as you could end upside down if you • Use wet hands or gloves to handle fish fall into the water. before release. • If you fall into the water immediately assume • If you are going to take photos of your fish a tuck position, then roll on to your back before release, support your fish properly. while keeping the knees tucked. Use your arms to balance. Further Information • Do not try to swim but either tread water or float. If you would like more information about fishing restrictions that apply to Monaro district • If swept into a fast flowing stream always waterways and impoundments, please contact face downstream and go with the current feet the Monaro fisheries office. first while working to a safe shore position. • Always remember not to panic. Contact Details Address: Gaden Trout Hatchery Responsible fishing Kosciusko Road • Observe all bag and size limits as well as any other restrictions for the area you are fishing. Jindabyne NSW 2627 • Carefully release all undersize or unwanted Phone: (02) 6451 3402 fish and take only what is sufficient for your Fax: (02) 6456 2115 immediate needs. Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries • Take home any rubbish from the fishing spot, especially plastic bags, old line and fishing © State of through the Department of Trade and hooks. Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services 2015. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any • Use environmentally friendly tackle where purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries as the owner. possible. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (January 2015). Catch and release However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date Catch and release fishing has increased in and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of popularity in recent years. Research has shown the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent that most fish survive using current catch and adviser. release fishing techniques. The following Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Jobtrack 10151 TRIM PUB10/79

7 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015