NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide

2020–21

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Report illegal fishing 1800 043 536 Check out the app:FishSmart

NSW DPI has created an app Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology. that provides recreational fishers with 24/7 access to essential information they need to know to fish in NSW, such as:

▢ a pictorial guide of common recreational species, bag & size limits, closed seasons and fishing gear rules ▢ record and keep your own catch log and opt to have your best fish pictures selected to feature in our in-app gallery ▢ real-time maps to locate nearest FADs (Fish Aggregation Devices), artificial reefs, Recreational Fishing Havens and Marine Park Zones ▢ DPI contact for reporting illegal fishing, fish kills, ▢ local weather, tide, moon phase and barometric pressure to help choose best time to fish pest species etc. and local Fisheries Offices ▢ guides on spearfishing, fishing safely, trout fishing, regional fishing ▢ DPI Facebook news.

Welcome to FishSmart! See your location in Store all your Contact Fisheries – relation to FADs, Check the bag and size See featured fishing catches in your very Report illegal Marine Park Zones, limits for popular species photos RFHs & more own Catch Log fishing & more i NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 7 9 1 3 56 60 69 70 74 82 11 14 15 17 18 20 27 29 34 43 45 53 55 ...... aquatic habitats ...... – ......

A diary records catch your for limits summary species bag and size Freshwater Fisheries officers Fisheries Contact details Major fishing closures Conserving our biodiversity and diseases Pests Trout waters Trout species and protected Threatened Fishing methods and activities Fishing be taken may Catfish / Freshwater Perch Silver Dams where Fish identification and measurement Fish limits and closed seasons size bag limits, Fish Food safety Food Knots and rigs Converting fish lengths to weights to Converting fish lengths boating safely/safe Fishing Angler access Fish hatcheriesand fish stocking Fish Responsible fishing Where do my fishing fees go? fishing my do Where Working with fishers NSW Recreational Fishing Fee Fishing NSW Recreational

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Contents NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide ii Disclaimers © State South ofNew andEnvironmentWales ,2019. ofPlanning, through Industry theDepartment 2019 JTN 16359Dec ISBN web 978-1-76058-348-4 978-1-76058-347-7 ISBN print NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide: A saltwater recreational fishingguideisalso available. commitment to providing recreational fisherswithcomprehensive, user-friendly information . South New Wales (NSWDPI)LMB3020Nowra NSW2541,for andonbehalfofthestate Industries of Primary This NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing of Guideisproduced by theNSWDepartment Sign upfor -aninformation Newscast bulletinfor NSWrecreational fishersat Australian Bass Cover image of NSWDPI. permission in any form by electronicormechanicalmeans, photocopying orrecording withoutthewritten matterNo material inthispublicationmay bereproduced, stored inaretrieval system, ortransmitted officeor fisheries fishers to ensure arewithinthelaw they atalltimes acting Recreational fishing istheresponsibility of theliferegulations may changeduring ofthispublication.It oflaw at thetimeofpublicationandcannotbeusedasadefence inacourt rulesapplying to,and statutory oraffecting recreational fishing This publicationisaguideonly, itdoesnotreplace theFisheries 1994orotheracts Act Management on any information inthispublication. therefore for disclaimsallliability any error, from lossorotherconsequenceswhichmay arise relying guarantee thepublicationiswithoutflaw oriswhollyappropriate and purpose for any particular This publicationmay provide assistanceorinformation butNSWDPIanditsemployees donot . www It isfundedfrom theFreshwater .It Recreational Fishing Trust ofour aspart .dpinsw

.gov .au/fisheries . .Checkregulations withyour localNSWDPI It is a summary oflaws andregulations isasummary .It . http://eepurl www.dpi.nsw.gov.au .com/pKIHT

NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide NSW Recreational Fishing Fee 1 When you are fishinginNSW waters, both When doIneedto pay? NSW Recreational Fishing Fee of theMurray Riverto Australian theSouth inland waters includethe whole boundaries doesnotexceedcapacity 2hectares. NSW area ofthebodywaterthe surface at full when fishinginadamonprivate land if in, onoradjacent to waters. doesnotapply It applies wheninpossessionoffishinggear inland (non-tidal)waters ofNSW. This also prawn netting. gathering, digging, pumping, trapping and invertebrates usingmethodssuchashand orwhen collecting fishing; bait collecting when linefishing(rod orhandline); spear NSW Recreational Fishing Fee. This applies areceipt showingto thepayment carry ofthe fresh andsaltwater, you are required by law This receipt must carried be whilefishing NSW Fishing Fee Receipt In freshwaterIn itapplieswhenfishingin IMPROVE RECREATIONAL FISHING ALL FEESAREUSED TO

1300 369 365 website stores, NSWDPIFishSmart appandvia Kmart stations,parks, localshops, many service shops, caravansuch asmostfishingtackle You canpay at many outletsthroughout NSW, Where doIpay thefee? upstreamRiver arm to itssource. Creek Mitta withSeven Mile andontheMitta the junction RiverMurrayfishing inLakeHumeonthe upstream arm to licence isrequired and Victorian fishinglaws applywhen of Environment A Industries. andPrimary Victorian fishing Note: these rivers). Rivers(amidstream borderBarwon appliesto the NSWsideofDumaresq, and MacIntyre Bundalong boat ramp andwhenfishingon Riverentersthe Ovens theMurray Riverat Weir wall upstream to thepoint where ofLakeMulwala from all parts Yarrawonga border (excluding thewaters ofLakeHume), How muchisthe fee? $35 for 1year $14 for 1month $7 for 3days $85 for 3years Hume Weir ismanagedby the Victorian Department www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/new/ . orcall 2 NSW Recreational Fishing Fee NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide to obtain a replacement or obtain a replacement to 02 4424 7499 Permanently Incapacitated”. Permanently Gold Affairs Veterans’ A Department of “Extreme endorsed Card Treatment Adjustment”. Disablement Veterans’ the Department from A letter of a disability receive you that stating Affairs or an or higher, pension of 70 percent pension. intermediate A current Pensioner Concession Card Card Concession Pensioner A current Centrelink. issued by Card Concession Pensioner A current Veterans’ the Departmentissued by of Affairs. Gold Affairs Veterans’ A Department of and “Totally endorsed Card Treatment For digital fee replacement, no fee applies no fee replacement, fee digital For This information is current at time of at is current information This the NSW pay need to whether you If unsure Recreational fishers must have these cards these cards fishers must have Recreational

for this option. Use the on-line form and select the on-line form this option. Use for know fee your don’t option if you the digital number. receipt repatriation health cards do not exempt you you do not exempt health cards repatriation Fee. Fishing the NSW Recreational paying from change. may regulations printing but fisheries they Itto ensure of fishers responsibility is the acting all times. at are within the law at check our website Fee, Fishing Recreational www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing receipt fee Replacement is $8.00. receipt fee a replacement for Cost Call our website from a form download www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing ■ ■ the primary only apply to exemptions These holder. card note Please be exempt. in their possession to and cards health care seniors cards, that The holder of: holder The ■ ■ ■

A person fishing in a private dam with a A person fishing in a private surface hectares of two or less. area person. Aboriginal An 18 to take fish using a single rod per child or take fish using a single 18 to net using a single dip or scoop take Prawns to per child. Persons under the age of 18. under Persons adult assisting persons under the age ofAn A fifty per cent concession applies to people to people applies A fiftyconcession cent per

■ ■ ■ Exemptions: ■ NSW Recreational Fishing Fee. Fishing NSW Recreational states, territories or countries are not valid for for not valid are or countries territories states, the must pay All visitors waters. fishing in NSW Interstate and overseas visitors visitors and overseas Interstate by other issued fishing licences Recreational receive a paper receipt. a paper receipt. receive post. For all other payment methods you will methods you all other payment For post. if you renew your licence using your renewal renewal using your licence your renew if you in the a plastic receipt will receive you letter, If you pay for a one year or three year period year or three a one year for If pay you or agent Touch a at the phone, over online, How do I obtain a plastic receipt? do How who only fish in the tidal waters of the Tweed Tweed of the waters who only fish in the tidal beach areas. adjacent River and prescribed well. Always check whether you need to have have need to check whether you Always well. going fishing. before paid the fee may find that your skipper find that or guide holds an may you as certificatecovers which exemption on your smartphone. on your go fishing aboard If you you a charterfishing guide, or with a vessel enable you to hold a digital fishing fee receipt receipt fee fishing a digital hold to enable you link your NSW Fishing Fee Receipt with the Receipt Fee NSW Fishing link your Service NSW smartphone app which will Digital fee receipt on your phone your on receipt Digital fee a smartphone If own can now you you NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Where do my fishing fees go? 3 on fishing (see with Working Fishers section rules andvalues ofsustainablerecreational face awareness andadvisingfishersaboutthe volunteers across thestate providing face to This dynamicprogram involves around 300 Fishcare volunteer program aretrust fundedprojects provided asfollows. found at theabove website. Examplesofsome to improve recreational fishing.Details canbe Anyone canapplyfor fundingfrom thetrusts website at the trustsshouldbespent. anglersprovide adviceexpert onhow fundsin improving recreational fishing. Committees of for freshwater –andcanonlybespent on fishing trusts–one for saltwater andone Fishing Fee are placed into recreational All fundsraised from theNSWRecreational Recreational fishingtrusts Where domy fishing fees go? There isalotmore information onthe page 7 ). www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries.

4 Where do my fishing fees go? NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide the monies raised by community groups to to community groups by the monies raised fish. with native their local waterways stock inland rivers or dams each year. The Dollar-for- The or dams each year. inland rivers matches fish stockingDollar program native Bass plus approximately three million Trout Trout million three Bass plus approximately into the hatcheries by stocked and Salmon are Perch, Murray Cod, Silver Perch and Australian Australian and Perch Silver Cod, Murray Perch, Port Stephens, Jindabyne and Ebor for public and Ebor for Jindabyne Stephens, Port million Golden two Approximately stocking. Trust funds boost production of native fish and funds boost production of native Trust at Narrandera, in NSW DPI fish hatcheries Trout Fish stocking Fish fishery advisory and provide servicesto fishers. recreational levels of compliance in the freshwater in the freshwater of compliance levels Additional fisheries officers are employed are employed fisheries officers Additional optimal maintain NSW to regional across Fisheries officers Fisheries NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Where do my fishing fees go? 5 resources/fishing-workshops/get-hooked www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/ More information canbefound onourwebsite (see Working withFishers section class lessons. your Get localschoolinvolved Hooked theirGet during learned skills practice workshops whichenablestudents to putinto incursions aswell asrunningcoastal fishing includes visitinglocalschoolsandconducting responsible andsustainablefishing. This children inschoolsacross NSWaboutsafe, A schooleducation program isteaching education program Hooked:Get It’s Fun to Fish ■ ■ ■ Essential recreational research other infrastructure. stations,fish measuring fishingplatforms and facilities includingstiles, fish cleaningtables, groups to improve recreational fishingand fishing clubs, local councils and community The smallgrants program provides fundingfor More facilitiesfor fishers

angler surveys. Fishing tournament monitoring and Murray Crayfish. Research onMurray Cod and freshwater stocking. Improving effectiveness of page 7 ). 6 Where do my fishing fees go? NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide or phone

. Want more information? more Want Check our website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing Want to apply for funding? apply for to Want and the application information More at package on the website be found can www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries 02 6691 9681 PRESENTED BY KAJ "BUSHY" BUSCH FRESHWATER FISHING SAFETY DVD 14 min 30 sec www.safefishing.com.au out the website out the website are available free of charge for anglers. Check anglers. for of charge free available are has produced quality DVDs to promote fishing quality promote DVDs to has produced DVDs The and freshwater. in saltwater safely Fishing safely Fishing of NSW (RFA) Alliance Fishing Recreational The and fisheries. vegetation and restoring water flows in order in order flows water and restoring vegetation habitats healthy quality, water good provide to include removing barriers to fish migration, barriers fish migration, to include removing bank river and protecting replanting and repair importantActivitiesand repair fish habitat. Habitat actionHabitat program protect of actions being funded to A range are NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Working with fishers 7 fishing workshops, anglereducation, habitat suchaschildrens’assistance inactivities recreational fishing. Volunteers provide about sustainable the widercommunity create better awareness amonganglersand trusts. As avolunteer you willbehelpingto is fundedthrough therecreational fishing Fishcare Volunteer. Fishcare orspecialiseasaschools activities Volunteer? You canvolunteer for general environment? Why notbecome aFishcare you liketo contribute to protecting ouraquatic youDo have apassionfor fishingand would Working withfishers Fishcare boats. both onlandandthewater indedicated over 170,000contacts. Volunteers assist in around 500events peryear andmaking over 300volunteers across NSWparticipating days. The program continues to grow with displays at trade showsand advisory andfield rehabilitation, assistinginresearch programs The NSWDPIFishcare Volunteer program freshwater fishing, thesignificance ofaquatic 100 schoolsare introduced to saltwater and each year from around around 6,000kids and fishstocks. Aimed at schoolstudents, role inthemanagement oftheirwaterways program encourages children to takeanactive The HookedIt’s NSWDPIGet Fun to Fish your involvedGet school local species andaquatic habitat management. of protecting ourfishing resources, threatened about goodfishingpractices, theimportance Fishing workshops alsoteach young children and safe handlingoffish at alocalfishingspot. fishing techniques suchascasting,rigging, are anexcellent way to hands-on for learn kids of 8-14years thebasicsoffishing. learn They assist around 8,000anglersbetween theages fishing clubmembers. Each year, volunteers from Fishcare Volunteers, staffandsome by education fisheries officers withassistance NSW DPIfishing areworkshops coordinated Help take fishing akid 8 Working with fishers NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide or If you would like more information about information like more If would you email [email protected] become a Fishcare Volunteer, please visit Volunteer, a Fishcare become www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries these programs or would like to apply to to apply like to or would these programs Volunteers have no enforcement powers. powers. no enforcement have Volunteers around one day per month you can apply to can apply to you per month one day around Fishcare apply. Conditions a volunteer. become Who can become a volunteer? a volunteer? can become Who can assist of age and 18 years over If you’re fishing workshop component of the program. component workshop fishing fishing behaviours. Fishcare Volunteers are a are Volunteers Fishcare fishing behaviours. in the especially teachers, for resource valuable habitat while practising safe and responsible responsible and while practisinghabitat safe life and life-cycles, and skills,life and release catch importanceand the quality of sustaining fish NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fish hatcheries and fish stocking 9 Trout Cod; thePort Stephens Fisheries Institute Murray Cod, Perch, Golden Silver Perch and Fisheries Centre at Narrandera, whichproduces fish for public release. They are theNarrandera Strategy.Management program basedontheFish Fishery Stocking comprehensive andsustainablefishstocking The NSWGovernment iscontinuing to runa tool for safeguarding endangered species. conservation Fish isalsoanimportant stocking for therecreational fishersofthestate to enjoy. populations andhelpsto boostexisting stocks Fish helpsmaintain natural stocking Fish stocking the production ofnativethe production fishfingerlings for and government fish hatcheries inNSW for (HQAS). The HQAS accredits both private Assurance Quality Scheme with theHatchery inNSWaccordancespecies isundertaken Recreational fishingenhancement ofnative fish hatcheries. program, withfishproduced from private through thetrustfundedDollar-for-Dollar fish speciesare alsostocked by the community and fishacclimatisation societies.Some native across NSWwithassistance from fishingclubs Trout andAtlantic Salmon. produces Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook the Gaden Trout at Jindabyne which Hatchery produces Rainbow Trout andBrown Trout and Bass; theDutton Trout at Ebor, Hatchery which at Taylors whichproduces Beach, Australian The fishare released intorivers anddams Four government fishhatcheries produce Assurance Scheme Quality Hatchery

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries on theHQAS refer to theNSWDPIwebsite standard and quality. For more information hatcheries for are ofthehighest stocking programs to ensure that allfish reared at number ofbroodstock are usedinbreeding regionsdistinct across NSWandaspecific for programs stocking are obtainedfrom and Australian Bass. Broodstock collected Murray Cod, Perch, Golden Silver Perch programs andaquaculture production. recreational fishingenhancement stocking The HQAS of appliesto thestocking

10 Fish hatcheries and fish stocking NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide

John Lake Centre John Lake Centre Gaden Hatchery HatcheryDutton New England Tablelands 02 6775 9139. Narrandera 02 6958 8200. Snowy Mountains 02 6451 3400. Dutton –  –  –  Dutton Dutton Gaden John Lake Gaden John Lake For more information or information more For book call: to a tour Gaden John Lake 4,401,530 3,979,695 3,655,506 4,283.384 4,515.563 To apply for a fish stocking permit apply for email To 2018/19 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2014/15 Annual fish stocking figures stocking fish Annual figures hatcheries Government admission fee applies. admission fee and group visitors are welcome. Educational Educational welcome. are visitors and group A small schools. for can be organised tours displays and audio-visual shows. Individual and audio-visual shows. displays large breeding specimens as they surface breeding large in aquarium ponds, a network of broodstock hatchery work first-hand through daily hatchery through first-hand work include feeding Attractions guided tours. Hatchery tours the fascinating can experience Visitors farm dams. [email protected]. A fish stocking A fish [email protected]. stocking fish into for permit is not required certain must be met. conditions Permits are issued free of charge however however of charge issued free are Permits A fish stocking permit is required from NSW from A fish stockingrequired permit is waters. public of fish into release DPI prior to Fish stocking permit Fish 11 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Responsible fishing ■ ■ ■ release your fish: applied whetheryou takefish for thetableor practices. The following guidelinescanbe NSW DPIpromotes responsible fishing fishing Responsible Species Murray Cod PerchGolden Australian Bass

lines andavoid bird feeding areas. Reduce wildlife by injuries attending your waste responsibly. Dispose ofalllitter andfish the ecosystem. the scavengers, to are important techniques. allfish,including Remember catchusing bestpractice andrelease immediate needs. allothers Release Only catch sufficient fish for your Main factors for reduced factors Main survival live well conditions excessive hooking, Deep handlingandsub-optimal high water temperature Poor live well handling, conditions and sub-optimal hooking Deep various fishingclosures meansmany anglers Catching andreleasing fish ■ poor handling. and to beingdeephooking reduce survival release found techniques withthemainfactors usingcurrent catchmost fishsurvive and have caught to thewater. by law return offishthey alarge proportion

Compliance withbagandsize limits and Recent NSW DPIresearch hasshown that where possible. biodegradable lineandnon-stainlesshooks suchaslead-alternative sinkers,tackle Use environmentally fishing friendly 12 Responsible fishing NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Gently hold or push the fish through the Gently hold or push the fish through of it obtains a good flow so that water water If is any there its gills. over water hold the fish upright facing current, it starts until the current show to towards of recovery. signs This can be achieved by squeezing by can be achieved This or filing down with pliers, barbs down barbs. larger Use wet hands or wet gloves when gloves wet hands or wet Use to to minimise damage handling a fish its skin. surfaceA smooth, wet such as vinyl fish on if they lay is best to foam covered the water. from removed are

If you are going to take photos of your fish of your take photos going to If are you support release, the fish properly. before gills or eyes. by their Do not hold fish Carefully return fish to the water. Do not water. to the fish return Carefully fish any revive to care Take them. throw if they appear exhausted upon release upright hold themselves (struggling to swim away). and/or unable to ■ minimise hook damage. minimise hook damage. ■ targeting and minimise the time spent to to time spent minimise the and targeting land the fish. Avoid firmlyHandle fish carefully. and of boats to the bottom fish on dropping many surfaces.and other hard Remember, surfaces, very especially metal can become hot in the sun. ■ ■ barbless hooks or hooks with reduced Use easier and removal make hook barbs to Use suitable tackle for the species you are are tackle suitable you the species Use for

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Other practices to help increase survivalOther increase help to practices ■ and fins. Avoid knotted landing nets which may Avoid skin, scales, eyes damage the fish’s Remove hooks from mouth-hooked fish. mouth-hooked fish. hooks from Remove as quickly as possible. The use of The as quickly as possible. needle-nosed pliers or hook retrieving time reduce can greatly devices spent unhooking. Try to remove hooks and release fish hooks and release remove to Try Target fish using artificial lures. Target when hooks Choose non-offset circle using bait.

system. This is especially importantThis system. during when water the summer months high. are temperatures If live wells are used, ensure they are of they are ensure used, are If wells live water good and maintain size sufficient aerated through, quality using a flow by knotless mesh. ■ If the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line as If is hooked deeply, the fish rather mouth the fish’s close as possible to the hook. than removing fish-friendly landing nets with Use ■ still in they are Ideally unhook fish while the water. Minimise the fish is out the length of time and swiftly unhook.of the water ■ deep hooking. ■ ■ Use methods and rigs that reduce reduce rigs methods and that Use

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ survival fish: released of angler Maximisingsurvival fish the maximise help to tips will following The 13 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Responsible fishing ■ ■ fishing techniques. require afew minorchangesto your normal many benefits for anglers, buttheydo and Murray Cod. Circle about hooksbring including Australian Bass, Perch Golden for many othercommon recreational species species, thehooksare now usedincreasingly success already proven for many gamefish ofanglerreleased fish.the survival With their Circle hookshave beenshown to increase How to usecircle hooks ■ ■ ■

help withunhooking. pliersto orneedle-nosed Use ade-hooker results.for thebestmouth-hooking circleNon-offset hooksare recommended hook themselves. hook inthemoutharea. The fishoften apply slow andsteady pressure to setthe to takethebaitinto itsmouthandthen at notstrike thefish,allowDo thefishtime become hooked. thebitefish willcrushthebaitduring and to expose thehookas it isnotsoimportant baitslikecheeseorbreadWhen usingsoft the pointare andbarb exposed. tough baits),lightly hookthebaitsothat with your hook(particularly notbury Do fishing at weight are available undercatch andrelease Steps onhow to makeyour own release ■ ■ barotrauma-affected fish. of in maximisingthepost-release survival the surface. water pressure whentheyare pulledtowards are notableto adjustto therapid decrease in the swimbladderandotherorgans asthefish occurs asaresult oftheexpansion ofgasesin they are caught from deepwater. Barotrauma Fish may suffer from barotrauma when injuries Barotrauma www.recfishingresearch.org/category/practices available at: underbestpractice More information on thesetechniques is to secure hook to sinker. cabletiesandsmallscrew Note hook, barbless DIY release weight

Returning thefish to captureReturning depthiscrucial ■ ■ symptoms andunableto swimdown: thefishisdisplaying barotraumaIf any treatment. good chance to return to depthwithout out ofwater. This provides thefishwitha withminimaltime yourRelease fishquickly

to species. of theswimbladdervaries from species internal organs asthesize andlocation damagingwithout inadvertently outsuccessfully experience to carry This technique requires considerable fish to release the expanded gases. nootheroptionisavailable,If vent the fish to depth. Use arelease weight to helpreturn the www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

14 Angler access NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide or 02 4916 3827 or 02 6042 4214 For any queries on angler access or more or more queries on angler access any For An angler access strategy is being strategy angler access An anglers with information that will assist them that anglers with information delivery Web in the future. rivers in accessing details is planned and site locations of access signage of angler access including installation to and reserves adjacent public roads at the angler access out for Keep an eye rivers. legal of free places will show which symbol, fishing access. please program, about the access information phone email [email protected] from landholders to cross privately owned owned privately cross to landholders from on It trespass lands. or managed to is illegal If entry right of property. private is granted, the access to tracks use formed you make sure any with interfere to not care and take water activities. or pastoral stock Strategy Access Angler are there that it is estimated In inland NSW, streams rivers, where locations 200,000 over public land. by and lakes can be accessed for locations access and promoting Identifying anglers is a key priority. provide to basis reach on a river developed Crossing private property private Crossing permission request should always Anglers or visit our 1800 025 520 1800 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries The catch and release mats are available for for available are mats release and catch The of responsibly. that any rubbish including fishing lines and rubbish including fishing any that and disposed taken with you plastic bags are Wherever you choose to fish please ensure fish please ensure choose to you Wherever This law does not apply to some lakes, within some lakes, does not apply to law This special areas. or declared fisheries closures or while walking within the bed of a river if the bed is not public land. even or stream Angler access – your right to fish to right – your access Angler a boat fish from to a legal right have Anglers website website purchase, contact purchase, manufactured from a UV stable material. a manufactured from and release fishing competitions which fishing and release is mat The years. in recent emerged have survival after release. Large graduations on graduations survival Large after release. photograph catch, the ruler can help in many ensure fish are given a maximum chance of a maximum chance given fish are ensure can be estimated from length measurement. length measurement. from can be estimated to tips on best methods included are Also illustrations of the most popular species of fish of the most popular illustrations weights tables so approximate and conversion designed to help fishers accurately record record fishers accurately help to designed includes full colour mat The their catch. A catch and release measuring mat has been has been measuring mat and release A catch Catch and release mats for for mats release and Catch recreational fishers 15 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Converting fish lengths to weights feeding activity. depending onage, sex, seasonandrecent only andindividualfish weight may vary weight ofafish itslength. by measuring species whichcanbeusedto estimate the relationships to becalculated for somefish species. This hasenabledlengthandweight of lengthandweight data from offish avariety Fish biologists have vast collected quantities Converting fishlengths to weights (cm) length Total Australian Bass 25 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 Please note that thesefigures are estimates Total lengthusedfor bothlegallength measurement andweight calculation. (kg) Weight 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 (cm) length Total 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 (kg) Weight 4.3 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.6 1.5 16 Converting fish lengths to weights NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2.3 2.5 2.8 3.1 3.4 3.7 4.1 4.4 4.8 5.3 1.7 1.8 2.0 Weight (kg) Brook Trout Brook Brown Trout Brown Rainbow Trout Atlantic Salmon Atlantic 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 49 51 53 Total length (cm) 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.2 1.6 0.2 0.2 0.3 Weight (kg) measurement and weight calculation. and weight measurement Total length used for both legal length length used for Total 41 43 45 47 26 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 25 Total length (cm) Trout and Salmon and Trout 13.5 14.6 15.7 16.8 18.0 8.6 9.0 9.8 10.7 11.6 12.5 Weight (kg) 1.5 1.6 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.8 1.2 1.3 1.4 Weight (kg) 94 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 75 76 78 Total length (cm) 48 49 50 51 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Total length (cm) 8.3 4.2 4.6 5.2 5.7 6.3 6.9 7.6 3.1 3.3 3.7 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.8 Weight (kg) Weight (kg) measurement and weight calculation. and weight measurement measurement and weight calculation. and weight measurement Total length used for both legal length length used for Total Total length used for both legal length both legal used for length Total 70 72 74 62 64 66 68 56 58 60 55 38 39 40 35 36 37 31 32 33 34 30 Total length (cm) Murray Cod Murray length (cm) Total Golden Perch 17 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing safely/safe boating Alliance ofNSWare available free ofcharge. fishing trusts and the Recreationalfishing trusts andthe Fishing Basic safety tipsinclude: Fishing safely DVDsfundedby therecreational Fishing safely ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Take acommunication device. Amobile Always keepaproper lookoutanddonot Ask for advice fromthe localswhoknow cross closeaheadof large vessels. 30m ofotherpowered vessels, or structures Slow within down to lessthan10knots emergency services from amobilephone. services emergency gov.au/maritime dramatically in a short period oftime. period dramatically inashort dangerous, don’t fishthere. Observe first, fish later.Observe Always check weather Consider anemergency buyingorhiring an area isdangerous. avoid hypothermia. and beaware that conditions may change and water conditions before fishing you start areas offastmoving water always wear a accident orinjury. When fishinginpotentially hazardous filleting knives andhooks.filleting you cast. Put away such as objects sharp you are you with,000willconnect with proposed changesto NSWboating laws persons inthewater orunpowered vessels. range. provider Nomatter whichservice phone isagoodstandby ifyou are within nearby makesgoodsenseincaseof to thedistance off requirements under the shoreline, orwhenever within60mof waterways. They willalways tell you when the water to feel ifyou cold start to If thelocation looks orsnaggedfish. tackle wear non-slipshoes. where you are goingandwhenyou willbe Never enter thewater to retrieve lost Fish withamate ortwo. Having someone Plan ahead. Always orfamilyknow letfriends Note that modifications are proposed andleaveKeep yourself warmanddry Make sureMake nobodyisbehind you when beacon trips. for backcountry be usefulanditmay alsobeappropriate to back andleave aplanofyour route ifpossible. from 1December 2015. Visit lifejacket. Carrying ropeslifejacket. andtorches Carrying may locations suchasthoselocated near for further information. for further www.rms.nsw. Check website Safe boating Wader safety Basic wader safety tipsinclude: Key safe boating tipsinclude: for details. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

To theamount ofwater restrict that can You mustcomply and withallRoads Always remember notto panic. sure where knows everyone itisstowed on thewater. advice Detailed onsafe If close or float.to shore useasculling enter waders, fasten abeltaround your downstream andgowiththecurrent feet first assume atuckposition,thenroll onto your air insideandprovide somebuoyancy always comfortable. The beltwillalsotrap and how to use it. motor periodically.and runtheauxiliary your to arms balance. upside down ifyou fallinto thewater. motion to return. printed and digital formats by callingthe while working to asafewhile working shore position. waist. This aspossiblebut mustbeasfirm www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime. www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime. including lifejacket wearing rules. For It is important to stay safe isimportant whenout It sweptIf into afastflowing stream always face youIf fallinto thewater immediately Handbook’. aswellThis as booklet, to swimbuteithertread water nottry Do Know howKnow the safety gearworks. Make Ensure thevessel isfullyequipped Ensure thevessel isinafit condition and Maritime Services publication Services Maritime ‘Boating Maritime Services requirements Services Maritime Infoline on Maritime boating isavailable and intheRoads tucked. Use back whilekeepingtheknees but cautionisneededasyou could finish further information, canbeobtainedin further for emergencies. fuel tanksfull. Checkbatteries beforehand full detailsofchangesto NSWboating laws from 1December 2015,visit www.safefishing.com.au 131 236 orby visiting

Fishing safely/safe boating 18 Food safety NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide , or 1300 550 474. 1800 999 457. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/ www.water.nsw.gov.au s or telephone local media and the NSW Office of Water Water local media and the NSW Office of following heavy rainfall carries heavy rainfall pollution into following health risk. known algal ‘red alerts’ via local signs, via local signs, alerts’ ‘red known algal Eating catch contaminated with toxins can with toxins contaminated catch Eating Don’t eat fish which have washed up on washed fish which have eat Don’t Remember cooking that will not destroy Fishing closures issued by NSW DPI via issued by closures Fishing Keep fresh catch cold and covered by by and covered cold catch Keep fresh surfaces and Keep equipment clean. or bait drip on catch let recreational Don’t in species caught in poor quality waters. in poor qualityin species caught waters. is good. Remember that water quality can Remember water that is good. thoroughly. Take precautions when eating when eating precautions Take thoroughly. as controls the same strict safety food is often cause of death The the shoreline. website: website: Wait sometimes including sewage. waterways, reduce after to heavy rainfall weeks three the risk of bacterial contamination. and viral to other food. other food. to website telephone result in serious illness or death. result raw shellfish which has been collected shellfish which has been raw not subject as they are to recreationally mean numbers of dead or dying fish along recreationally. If you choose to collect If choose to and you recreationally. water not collect Runoff afterheavy rainfall. putting in ice or a refrigerator straight away. away. straight a refrigerator or putting in ice unknown these fish can be a and eating Only catch or collect when water quality or collect water when Only catch for status current Check the waterway’s or remove toxins which might be present be present which might toxins or remove eat shellfish such as mussels or oysters do oysters shellfish such as mussels or eat shorelines. Mass fish shorelines. kills can sometimes seen with the naked eye. seen with the naked eye. commercially harvested shellfish. commercially closure change and not all harmful things can be Avoid collecting shellfish and eating Avoid catch recreational your cook Always

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Importantor collecting catching for tips aquatic species include: species aquatic Tips for safe eating safe for Tips Tips for fishing for Tips for help. for If a front approaches, or the weather or the weather approaches, If a front If possible, fish with another vessel. an vessel. In fish with another If possible, jackets and warm clothing. warm clothing. jackets and Wear non-slip shoes and take waterproof and take waterproof non-slip shoes Wear emergency can help or radio the other going and your expected of return. time and your going changes suddenly, head back to shore. head back to changes suddenly, Always let someone know where you are are you know someone let where Always Take plenty of food and water. plenty of food Take Like all fresh food from animals, your catch catch your animals, from food Like all fresh Inland waterways such as lakes, dams, other dams, Inland such as lakes, waterways Caution is required in all conditions in all conditions is required Caution Always maintain a safe speed and a proper a safe maintain Always You need to be aware of possible dangers be aware need to You

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ lakes and dams. It familiariselakes and dams. is also advisable to lookout. Strong winds can occur at any time any at winds can occur Strong lookout. follow to be able to enjoy your bounty and your enjoy be able to to follow following heavy rain or flooding where flooding where or heavy rain following frequently change in water level and flow rates. flow and level change in water frequently Food safety Food Boating on inland waters on inland Boating below the surface.below It or practical is not feasible be encountered. Many people enjoy eating the finfish and eating people enjoy Many Boating on rivers, creeks, dams and other inland creeks, Boating on rivers, invertebrates they catch. If you intend to eat eat to If intend they catch. you invertebrates injury if collision occurs. As water levels recede recede levels water injury As occurs. if collision impoundments and rivers are often murky are and rivers impoundments and with navigation markers. with navigation to remove all hazards nor to mark them all nor to all hazards remove to trees, shallow sand bars and other snags may sand bars shallow trees, waterways demands special care. Submerged care. demands special waterways needs to be handled well to minimise the risk to be handled well needs to new navigational hazards may be uncovered. may hazards new navigational present and may cause serious damage or and may present your catch, there are some important are there tips to catch, your yourself with an area each time before each time before an area with yourself floating trees, branches and other debris are and other debris are branches trees, floating avoid causing illness. causing illness. avoid and spillways should be avoided at all times. at should be avoided and spillways attempting any high speed activities. Dam walls any attempting and create dangerous wind waves on open wind waves dangerous and create and obstructions be hidden just which may of food poisoning. poisoning. of food

Food safety 19 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Food safety ‘Red alert’ algalwarnings andvisible blooms Algal bloomscanappearaswater Authority (EPA)Authority is leadingtheNSWGovernment contamination at arange ofsites. There are closure notice. Some algaeproduceSome toxins harmful that can other bloomsare notvisiblebutare highly extent, thefleshoffreshwater finfish. emerging contaminant, whichmeansthat discolouration, includingred, green, yellow, available ontheNSWDPIorEnvironment a numberofwaterways inNSWaffected by are unclear. NSWEnvironmental Protection are for especiallyhighrisk shellfish. algal bloomsgoto response andinvestigations into PFAS acid(PFOA). PFASperfluorooctanoic are an sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctane may form onthewater surface. The water may www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/pfas-response their ecological and/orhumanhealtheffects andviruses. spills bacteria Sewage with harmful toxic, even at low levels. PFAS. advice Checkupdated fishinganddietary PFAS are agroup ofchemicalsthat include nottakeanyDo specieslisted inaNSWDPI For background oftoxic ontherisks further Protection (EPA) Authority websites. have amusty, orpungent smell. earthy Some by pollutionandare industrial notsuitable brownish, appearance. oilyormilky Scum build upinfreshwater and shellfish;brackish Fishing closures PFAS for consumption. species for catching certain orcollecting freshwater crustacea; thegutand, to alesser ■ ■

Sewage spillssometimescontaminateSewage waters waterwaysSome have beencontaminated consumption astheyare likelyto contain crustacea suchas Yabbies or Crayfish from Clean and rinse freshwaterClean andrinse finfish and disposeofinternal organs before the flesh. toxins. The toxin could alsobepresent in thoroughly inuncontaminated water waters affected by algalblooms. Do not collect shellfish,gastropods, notcollect Do or www.whoi.edu/redtide/ Authority: phone Authority: gov.au/fisheries/recreational/resources/info details onfishinglocations, localfishingrules and closures along with summary mapsinthe and closures alongwithsummary are aresident oravisitingfisher you canfind fishing ininlandor coastal NSW. Whether you website Local guidesprovide valuable information on For more information from theNSWFood More information Local recreationalLocal fishingguides local areas onourwebsite at: www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au 1300 552406 www.dpi.nsw. orcheck

20 Knots and rigs NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Moisten 4. 3 Slide the knot gently down on to the eye Slide the knot the eye on to down gently 5. 5 Make four to six wraps in this manner. six wraps to Make four 3. Wrap the tag around both the returning tag and main line, tag and main line, both the returning the tag around Wrap 2. 2 Thread the line through the eye of the hook, ring or swivel, and encircle the main line with the and encircle of the hook, the eye ring or swivel, the line through Thread 1 4 Knots and rigs and Knots but inside the encircling loop made by the tag. the tag. loop made by but inside the encircling First wrap the line around the spool the line around wrap First in freshwater fishing, because the knot may be formed some distance from the hook and slid into and slid into the hook from formed some distance because the be fishing, knot may in freshwater Uni knot for tying line on to your reel reel Uni knot tying your line on to for Uni knot for tyingUni knot hooks on for tag to form the configuration shown. the configuration form tag to place when formed. when formed. place your reel. your Uni knots are useful for tying small hooks, rings or swivels on to light lines, a frequent requirement requirement frequent a lines, light on to rings tying or swivels Uni knots small hooks, useful for are and tighten the knot using gentle pressure on the tag. on the tag. the knotand tighten pressure using gentle of your reel, at least once, then tie a least once, at reel, of your of the hook, ring or swivel. standard uni knot with four wraps. Then Then uni knot wraps. standard with four slide the knot the spool of on to down 1. 21 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Knots and rigs 1. 1. 4. other line so the knot ineach other linesotheknot over, over, under, over, under. 3. or fly. Of many loopsusedto loopisfavouredOf attach fliesandlures, becauseit theperfection and thread thetagthrough theeye ofthelure joined thenencircle oneline through the knot asshown.through theknot The sequence is with thetagofother. instructions carefully.instructions Perfection loop loop Perfection forDouble uniknot joininglines lays relatively to straight tiesofollow anddoesnotpoint out to istricky theside. the It line istiedaround theother. Make a simple overhand knot intheleader asimpleoverhandMake knot thelinesto be Overlap Do thesamewith Do Now bendthetag backsoitgoesup 2. 5. tighten each knot inturn. tighten eachknot inside theformed loop. Wrap thedoublestrand Moisten thelineand 4. 2. the tag. knot alongsidetheotherstrand. knot Moisten the knot before Moisten theknot pullingtight. Trim Pass thetagbackthrough theoverhand 3. 6. the tags. tighten once more, thentrim Make fourMake wraps inall. Draw the knots together,Draw theknots 22 Knots and rigs NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Make four or five or five Make four 3. Make six complete Make six complete 3. 3 5 6 3 Pull gently on the double until all loops on the double until gently Pull 5. Wind the double around your thumb your the double around Wind Twist the smaller loop from both ends but alternate the alternate both ends but the smaller loop from Twist 4 2 5 2 2. twisting and holding between hands. twisting hands. and holding between Then twists (monofilament). complete twists line) or four (braid the middle of the smaller loop loop through the larger thread you have twisted. have you 2. Slip the knot around 5. Pass the loop in the double through the second loop. loop. the second the loop in the double through Pass Determine your double or end loop size, twist a second loop just above the tag end and hold twist just above loop a second or end loop size, double Determine your Moisten the loops and tension all four strands equally as the knot strands is pulled tight. all four the loops and tension Moisten Make a loop where the Make a loop where and 4 1 1 lines. While not as strong as a bimini or plait, it is quick, easy to tie and provides a double strand to to a double strand it is quick, as a bimini or plait, tie and provides not as strong easy to While lines. Dropper loopDropper between leftbetween thumb and forefinger. the main line to form a form to the main line Spider hitch. Spider hitch. 6. attach terminals and leaders. terminals attach dropper is to be. Then cross cross Then be. is to dropper slide from your thumb (pinch thumb and finger firmly to disengage loops one at a time). to disengage loops one firmly thumb (pinch thumb and finger your slide from second smaller loop. loop. smaller second complete wraps. wraps. complete The finished The knot will be strong most fishing needs. enough for knot before pulling tight. Take Take pulling tight. knot before shear off either side. not to care 4 Moisten thesomething solid. 4. This knot retains around 80 percent of monofilament line strength but only 40-60 percent in braid in braid percent but only 40-60 line strength monofilament of 80 percent knotThis around retains This is a loop which can be used to attach a hook or leader anywhere along a length of line. a length along leader anywhere a hook or attach to can be used a loop which is This 1. 1. 23 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Knots and rigs 1. Yabbies to besuspended 2. several others. distance split shotashort and steep banksfor native alongside sunkentimber above thehookallows fish like Golden fish like Perch and rigs arerigs usedfor suspending Useful rigs banks oflakesandstreams. baits amongsttimberand baits likeworms andsmall Bubble floats for bottom fishingfrom the ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The additionofalarge

Standard runningsinker The mosteffective baitwithabubblefloat seems to The bubblefloatriggedintandemwithamuch is central tubeisdisplaced, enablingtheanglerto stopper to prevent thebubblefloat slidingdown to securely onto theline–andfrom whichthebaited smaller float –usuallyasmallpiece of foam fixed suspended aboutametre below thesmallerfloat. down, thelinerunsfreely thoughtheheavier bubble and easyto castout. When afishtakesthebaitandpullssmallerfloat When thebubblefloatrighasbeencastout, both float, whichoffers no resistance asthefishtakesline. floats –thebubblefloat andthesmallerfloat from floats feature a central tubethrough whichtheline partially fillthefloat with water.partially Thismakesitheavier resistance. The mostsuccessful andpopularbubble the surface. the surface. which thebaitissuspended–lay sideby sideon the hookasanglercastsout. is threaded. is to say thelinecanpassthrough the float without Before threading thebubblefloat on to theline, the Bubble floats are designed asrunningfloats, which hook issuspended. asa This smallerfloat alsoacts be Dragon (Mudeyes) Fly whichare usually larvae 24 Knots and rigs NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Using a swivel or ring as a tie off point results in the strongest possible rig of this results in the strongest type and is or ring as a tie off point a swivel Using The use of a dropper loop to attach hooks is an easy rig to prepare and strong enough for most most enough for and strong prepare hooks is an easy rig to attach to loop a dropper use of The Fixed sinker rigs sinker Fixed intervals using twisted dropper loops so they stand away from the main line and don’t tangle. the main line and don’t from intervalsstand away loops so they using twisted dropper preferred by many fishers. many by preferred fishing situations. on to the very end of the line with one or more hooks attached above the sinker at various various at the sinker very the above hooks attached on to one or more line with end of the A simple bottom fishing rig is the basic fixed Paternoster rig. It consists of a sinker tied or looped tied or looped of a sinker consists rig. It Paternoster fishing basic fixed rig is the bottom A simple 25 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Knots and rigs Common baits ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mudeyes Bardi Shrimp

Small Yabbies are excellent baitfor mostnative species. Murray Cod willtakelarger Yabbies. mayShrimp befishedsoloorseveral at atimeandare great bait for mostfreshwater species. species, Murray Cod inparticular. They present andmay bestifnotpunctured beboundto the Grasshoppers are usuallyfishedunweighted witha greased lineandmake excellent bait most freshwater species. Large grubs likeBardi Grubs, Wattle Grubs, and Wood Grubs makeexcellent baitfor native andScrubwormsEarthworms may be fishedsoloorseveral at atimeandare excellent bait for Dragon (Mudeyes) Fly are excellent larvae baitfor Trout andotherfreshwater speciesandare hook with hosiery elastic. hook withhosiery best fishedunderasmallfloat,withbubblefloat orin conjunction rig. for Trout. Yabbies Grasshoppers Earthworms 26 Knots and rigs NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Bubble float Bubble float rigged with stopper bait. and Mudeye Lure Casting with Flies Casting Lure Baits such as worms or Baits such as worms It is important select to the lure tacklelure best along with is Rigging with split shot Drift rigs fishing bait. Too heavy may see a hang heavy may Too bait. hook or onto the end of a line. The advantage advantage The the end of a line. hook or onto Mudeyes, tiny jigs or wet flies jigs or wet tiny Mudeyes, Drift and fishing rigs in rivers it will pull straight off with minimal loss it will pull straight then cast upstream across the across then cast upstream the water. Start a position from the water. the best results are likely to likely to are the best results waders, lure casting vest, hat hat vest, casting lure waders, will drift with the current. Light will drift Light current. with the right weight of line. Too light light Too of line. right weight up on the bottom. are all suitable for drift for all suitable fishing. are and the current will float the will float and the current and other cover. and polarised sunglasses since and polarised since sunglasses drift down and across likely drift and across down downstream and to the side, the side, and to downstream of tackle. of the latter is that if the shot become snagged if the shot become is that of the latter spots including boulders, logs spots including boulders, streams present a bait which bait which a present streams Split shot can be either clamped above the Split shot can be either clamped above current and allow the bait to the bait to and allow current come if you fish from within fish from if you come 27 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fish identification and measurement Protruding lower jaw. Concave head. leading margin. white at Pelvic fin Golden PerchGolden popular species from similar looking fish popular speciesfrom similarlooking species. Various reference booksare available outlineafish’s whichclearly definingcharacteristics. what fish exactly toyou catch know asdifferent important It is regulations may apply todifferent familiesoffishhaveMost anumberofdifferent specieswhichcanmakeidentification difficult. Fish identification andmeasurement head, asmallmouth,concaved tail, smallscalesandtheirjaws are ofequallength. are complexiondarker paleronthesides, ontheback, have awhite belly, have asmallerbeak-like the eyes, rounded tailandtheirlower protruding jaw. contrast, In Silver Perch have amore silvery Perch are theirolive green colouration, their yellow belly, concave theirdistinctly forehead above PerchSmall Golden are confused often withsmallSilver Perch. Distinguishingfeatures ofGolden PerchGolden andSilver Perch Smooth, nospines Crayfish‘Yabbies’ Cherax ■ ■ ■ Spiny Crayfish and Yabbies Australian Bass Estuary Perch.Estuary than shorter Snout length

Some NSWspecieslookquiteSome similar. The following tipshave beenprepared to helpidentify smooth shelled. robustthe presence spikesonitsclaws, ofshort carapace andabdomen. Yabbies are Euastacus crayfish canalsogenerally bedistinguishedfrom a yabby by itslarger size and Species ofEuastacus crayfish be canoften confused withthe common yabby. recognition relatively easy. All Euastacus crayfish specieshave asetofspinesalongthebottom oftheclaws, making or yellowish white below. back fadingto off-white olive/grey/greenDark on concave to straight. Snout profile –slightly Olive green colouration. Rounded tail.Rounded Rough, withspines Rough, Euastacus Crayfish ‘Spinies’ Euastacus . Silver Perch – concave. Snout profile PerchEstuary Jaws equal length. Small head, eyes. (longer thanBass). Snout tapered andelongated

back, palerbelow.back, grey on Dark andsilvery complexion on back. silvery Darker White belly. Concave tail. All finsdark. 28 Fish identification and measurement NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide marking. Spotted Spotted

through eye. through Stripe Straight-convex forehead. Straight-convex Mosaic or marbled marking.

The snout and upper jaw is usually longer snout and upper jaw The the jaws In Cod Murray jaw. than the lower longer. jaw or the lower level are or slightly is straight profile forehead The the Cod in Murray whereas convex concave. is slightly profile forehead are Cod Trout of snout and forehead The markings. usually clear of any

Blue-grey defined dark spots well with colour are Cod Murray and dashed markings, whereas with dark marbled in colour greenish generally markings. ■ ■ ■ Overhanging upper jaw. Trout Cod Trout Southern ShortfinEel Dorsalextends fin a little fin. of anal forward no colour, brown to olive/green Uniform distinctive markings.

Murray Cod Murray

Pelvic fin clear. fin Pelvic Convoluted mottling. Convoluted Concave forehead. Concave Shorter snout. Longfin Eel Longfin forward of anal fin. of anal forward Dorsalextends fin markedly distinguish the species from Murray Cod: Murray distinguish the species from jaw protrudes. jaw which features the following have Cod Trout pelvic fin is clear and relatively long. The lower The lower long. relatively pelvic fin is clear and vary from pale green to golden with heavy to vary pale green from The mottling. convoluted black or green considered rare. Eastern Cod are similar to similar to are Cod Eastern rare. considered can They and Mary Cod Murray Cod. River The Eastern Cod was once common in north- common once was Cod Eastern The now are fish wild spawned NSW but eastern and Murray Cod and Murray Eastern (Freshwater) Cod, Trout Cod Cod Trout Cod, (Freshwater) Eastern Uniform olive/green to brown colour, distinctly colour, brown to olive/green Uniform or mottled. blotched Eel in Victoria and NSW they may also resemble Lampreys, especially when small. Lampreys, also resemble they may and NSW Victoria in Eel The Longfin Eel is closely related and very similar to the Southern Shortfin Eel. However, the dorsal the dorsal very and to the related Southern similar Shortfin is closely Eel However, Longfin Eel. The Conger to as forwardreferred fin. the anal of well Eel Longfin incorrectly extends Often the fin on Southern Shortfin Eels Longfin and Lower jaw protrudes. jaw Lower Eastern Cod Eastern 29 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fish bag limits, size limits and closed seasons To determine thelegallengthofafish,fishismeasured from thepoint ofthesnout tothetipof operculum Finfish How to measure thelegallengthoffishandinvertebrates breeding period. Refer to Closures: purchase offishfrom a registered fish receiver suchasafishshop. andstorageThe offishbutdoesnotapply possessionlimitalsoappliestoto the thetransport than oneday. For freshwater stated.twice fishingitisequal thedailybaglimitunlessotherwise to Possession limit: fromperiod midnight to midnight) limit: Bag to protectlength restrictions larger breeding malesorfemales. FishingResponsible on section this minimumlengthmustbeimmediately returned to thewater (see withminimalpossibleharm Legal length: Explanation ofterms which fishcanspawn at leastonce before beingcaught. lengths applyto mostfreshwater fish. Lengths are specific a toeachspeciesandsize at reflect by theregulations andmaintain ourfreshwater willhelpconserve recreational fisheries. Legal make sure getsafairshare everyone oftheresource andthat aspeciesisnotoverfished. Abiding limits canallow fish to and cycle,completereach maturity theirbreeding whilebaglimitshelp to Regulations applyto helpensure healthy andsustainable fisheries for future generations. Size Why have bagandsize limits? Fish baglimits, size limitsandclosures the centre rear ofthecarapace. the tail. asthetotalThis length.Crayfish isknown are measured from the rear oftheeye socket to snout nostrils nape Closures apply to certain speciesorwatersClosures applyto at certain various timesto their protect fishduring The maximumnumberoffishtakenperpersonday. (Day isequal to the24 hour pectoral fin pectoral stated.The Afishwhichdoesnot minimum lengthofafishunlessotherwise reach dorsal fin total length The maximum numberoffishperpersonif you have beenfishing formore pelvic fin page 60 anal fin lateral line page 11 . caudal fin for more information). specieshave Some maximum claws Crayfish antenna eye socket measurement legs carapace tail fin 30 Fish bag limits, size limits and closed seasons NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Estuary Perch

Australian Bass Australian

Eel Shortfin Southern Longfin Eel Longfin

for dams where Freshwater Catfish may be taken). Listed as an endangered as an endangered be taken). Listed may Catfish Freshwater dams where for 10. 10 in eastern dams and listed western dams, 4 in eastern rivers. rivers. 4 in eastern dams, western dams and listed 10 in eastern 10. 10. 4 in total (one or more species of species or more (one 4 in total 30cm. 30cm. 30cm in eastern dams, listed western western listed dams, 30cm in eastern 58cm. None. None. Shrimp, Yabbies, worms, spinner baits, spinner baits, worms, Yabbies, Shrimp, Range from Yabbies, snails and earthworms to foods like ham or cheese. foods snails and earthworms to Yabbies, Range from Crickets, earthworms, surface earthworms, and spinner baits. Crickets, lures Fish pieces and earthworms. pieces Fish 5. 5 in eastern dams. dams. 5 in eastern 10. 2 in total (one or more species of species of (one or more 2 in total page 43 10. Freshwater Catfish (Eel-Tailed) may not be taken in western rivers and unlisted western western and unlisted western rivers not be taken in may (Eel-Tailed) Catfish Freshwater Throughout the Murray-Darling system. the Murray-Darling Throughout Rare except in north west catchments and coastal waters north waters in north and coastal of Newcastle. catchments Rare except west Bass: Coastal rivers from Qld to Vic. Perch: Coastal Coastal Perch: Vic. Qld to from rivers Bass: Coastal No taking of Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in rivers and estuaries (except rivers above above rivers estuaries and (except in rivers Bass and Estuary No taking of Australian Perch Freshwater rivers, dams and lakes east rivers, Freshwater Good baits: or bibless lures. minnows Possession limit: Possession Habitat: Bag limit: Golden Perch length: Legal population in the Murray-Darling Basin. Basin. in the Murray-Darling population Closure: Closure: dams (see Good baits: Possession limit: Possession Habitat: Bag limit: rivers. 2 in eastern dams, western and listed Legal length: Legal rivers. dams and eastern Freshwater Catfish (Eel-Tailed) Catfish Freshwater Good baits: Habitat: Dividing Range. of the Great Bag limit: limit: Possession Legal length: Legal Possession limit: Possession Longfin Bag limit: Southern Shortfin length: Legal Eels: SouthernEels: ShortfinLongfin and Estuary Perch caught from these waters during this period must be immediately returned to the to returned during this period be immediately must these waters from caught Estuary Perch by the closure. not affected Dams are unharmed. water impoundments) from May to August inclusive other than by catch and release fishing. Any Bass or Bass Any fishing. and release catch other than by inclusive August to May from impoundments) Good baits: Closure: Habitat: Habitat: Tasmania. northern from rivers NSW to Possession limit: Possession 35cm in rivers). only one over Bass or Perch, River Endangered Ecological Community. Ecological River Endangered Bass or Perch, only 1 over 35cm in rivers). Catch and Catch 35cm in rivers). only 1 over Bass or Perch, Snowy in the fishing is only permitted release Legal length: Legal Bag limit: Australian Bass Estuary and Perch Australian 31 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fish bag limits, size limits and closed seasons Murray Crayfish and possessionlimitof10intotal applies. limit:Amaximumdailybaglimit andpossession Bag nativeOther finfish (except threatenedspecies) and protected Silver Perch may betaken). andunlisted dams(seepage43fortributaries listsofdamswhere Closure: Silver Perch mustnotbetakenfrom allrivers andtheir smallerbaitsandlures.insects, baits:Shrimps, smallliveGood Yabbies, worms, aquatic stocked dams. Habitat: Uncommon inrivers. Common in Possession limit:10inlisted stocked dams. limit:5inlistedBag stocked dams. Legal length:25cminlisted stocked dams. Silver Perch except Copeton andBlowering Dams)from September to November inclusive. ofMurrayClosure: Cod inallinlandwaters Notaking (rivers anddams, baits:Bardi Grubs,Good Yabbies, lures andlarge flies. Habitat: Throughout theMurray-Darling system. Possession limit:4. limit:2. Bag 75cm. 55cm,Max. Legal length:Min. Murray Cod return any Murray Crayfish caught to the water unharmed. catch Murray Crayfish, theopenseasoninunspecified theclosedseasonorduring eitherduring waters, youmustimmediately main channelsoftheabove River. rivers, oftheMurrumbidgee except whichisatributary Creek, OldMan you If incidentally Note: The specified waters includealltributaries, lakes, lagoons, dams, ponds,reservoirs, canals, channelsor waterways ofthe (b) (a) than between JuneandAugust (inclusive) inthefollowing specified waters: Closure: Cannot betakeninany waters at any timeother baits:FishGood heads, chickengut. some damsinsouthwest NSW. Habitat: Parts Rivers and oftheMurray andMurrumbidgee Possession limit:4. limit: 2. Bag 10cm,Max.12cm. Legal length:Min.

at Tocumwal. Murray River from 130below Hume Weir to theNewell Highway nearAlbury road bridge of theweir face at Berembed Weir nearGanmain. Riverbetween theHumeHighwayMurrumbidgee road bridge, Gundagai and 100mupstream

32 Fish bag limits, size limits and closed seasons NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Brook Trout Brook Brown Trout Brown Rainbow Trout Atlantic Salmon Atlantic (1 or more species of Trout or Salmon) Trout of species (1 or more Cool freshwater mountain streams mountain freshwater Cool for full details of listed trout waters. trout full details of listed page 45 for long weekend. June long weekend to the start to June long weekend of the October Trout spawning streams from the end of the from streams spawning Trout streams, artificial and streams streams, fly and lure Fishing prohibited in general trout in general prohibited Fishing Closure: flies, lures, synthetic baits. synthetic lures, flies, Yabbies, worms, crickets, artificial crickets, worms, Good baits: Yabbies, and lakes. Habitat: Habitat: other waters. other waters. dams, 2 in Trout spawning streams and 10 in all and 10 in streams spawning Trout 2 in dams, Salmon) in artificial 4 and streams fly and lure (1 or more species of Trout or Trout of species limit: (1 or more Possession Trout spawning streams, 5 in all other waters. 5 in all other waters. streams, spawning Trout 2 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 1 2 in artificialin and dams, streams fly and lure Bag limit: is 50cm. must be returned carefully to the water. the water. to carefully must be returned length the legal where streams, spawning (“berried” females), or to remove those eggs. Yabbies with eggs with Yabbies those eggs. remove or to females), (“berried” See Trout except length: 25cm in all waters Legal It is illegal to keep Yabbies with eggs Yabbies with eggs: It keep to is illegal Yabbies and Salmon Trout Fish heads, chicken gut. heads, Good baits: Fish Central and western NSW waters. and western Central Habitat: Possession limit: 200 in total. Possession 200 in total. Bag limit: 200 in total. eggs must be returned carefully to the water. the water. to carefully eggs must be returned length: None. Legal (“berried” females), or to remove those eggs. Crayfish with Crayfish those eggs. remove or to females), (“berried” freshwater Yabbies: It is illegal to keep Crayfish with eggs with eggs eggs: It with keep Crayfish is illegal to Crayfish No taking from trout waters. No taking trout Closure: from cannot be used in any traps Yabby species and cannot be taken. totally protected is a Crayfish Spiny Falls Fitzroy The Note: Yabbies Fishers taking is illegal. species occur these Crayfish use where their and hence Highway east of the Newell waters limits of each species as bag and size with identification should familiarise themselves regions in upland Crayfish and Spiny differ significantly. Fish heads, chicken gut. heads, Good baits: Fish Rivers, some lakes east and west of the Divide. and west some lakes east Rivers, Habitat: 10 (only 1 over 12cm, one or more species). or more 12cm, one limit: 10 (only 1 over Possession 5 (only 1 over 12cm, one or more species). one or more 12cm, Bag 1 over limit: 5 (only Legal length: 9cm. length: Legal Other Spiny Crayfish (eastern freshwater) (eastern Crayfish Other Spiny 33 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fish bag limits, size limits and closed seasons Summary ofpermitted linesandhooks Summary Non-tidal waters Trout spawning streams streams (nobaitfishing) flyandlure Artificial (no baitfishing) flyandlure dams Artificial General trout streams General trout dams (other thantrout waters) General inlandwaters your lineofsight. per attended line, you are committing anoffence penaltiesmay andheavy apply. Attended linesmustbewithin50mandin excess ofthemaximumnumberattended linespermitted, orusemore thanthemaximumnumberofhookspermitted Note: (no baitfishing) Up to three (3)treble flyorlure hooksattached riggedlinesin toorpossess ispermitted. any If youuse, artificial carry Maximum attendedMaximum lines 1 (rod andlineonly) 1 (rod andlineonly) 1 (rod andlineonly) 1 (rod andlineonly) 2 (rods andlinesonly) 2 (handlinesorrods andlines) permitted per line permitted per hooks Maximum 2 flies, lures only) 3 (artificial 2 (bait)or 2 2 (artificial flies, lures only) 2 (artificial flies, lures only) 2 (artificial flies, lures only) 3 (artificial

34 Fishing methods and activities NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide ✗

). Spare lines should Spare fly, lure or bait. lure fly, when permitted 3 single hooks per line Up to 3 single i.e. using an artificial only, fly and lure if bait fishing. hooks per line not permitted streams trout General artificial with bait, flies and Fishing permitted. lures page 35 and lines 2 rods Up to permitted. 2 single Up to hooks per line when permitted using an artificial permitted in trout waters. waters. in trout permitted of takingnot be capable not be should e.g. fish rigged with hooks or lures attached. linesAttended 50m and inmust be within line of sight. dams trout General with bait*, artificial flies and lures Fishing baits section on Permitted (*see permitted Trout waters waters Trout not are Handlines hooks attached to each lure is permitted. is permitted. each lure to hooks attached Up to 2 single hooks per attended line or up 2 single hooks per attended Up to 3 treble with up to line, per attended 2 lures to is permitted. and lure fishing fishing and lure Bait, artificialBait, fly 50m and in line of sight. 50m and in line of sight. fish e.g. should not be rigged with hooks or e.g. fish lines must be within Attended attached. lures Spare lines should not be capable of taking lines should Spare lines) are permitted in general inland waters. inland waters. in general permitted lines) are General inland waters General and lines or rods lines (hand 2 attended Up to Line fishing Permitted fishing gear and methods and gear fishing Permitted 35 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing methods and activities Fishing withbaitprohibited. flyand Artificial (streams anddams) flyandlureArtificial waters roe) andplant matter. (except containing products Trout andSalmon Shrimps, Yabbies, baits Mussels, artificial ortheirlarvae, worms,natural fliesorinsects permitted ingeneral trout streams anddams: The following baitsare Permitted baits hooks perlinepermitted. permitted. Upto 2single Only onerod andline Dams: line permitted. Streams: line permitted. Only 1rod and lure fishingonly. Upto 3singlehooksperlinepermitted. Upto 2singlehooksper unwanted catch isreturned safely to thewater. to check their gearregularly to ensure any period, however anglersare encouraged withina24hour All setgearmustbelifted withsetfishinggearisanoffence.Interference aspractical. be asshort buoy rope usedto setfishinggearmust mark ofentanglementrisk by peopleorboats, any traffic or navigation channels. Tominimisethe fishing gear.Do notsetinareas ofhighboat Use common sense whenplacingyour set Nets andtraps Up to 2singlehooksperlinepermitted. line permitted. Only 1rod and lure fishingonly. Fishing withbaitprohibited. flyand Artificial Trout spawning streams ■ ■ ■ ■ net Hoop orLift (see of, or limitthenumber ofnetsandtraps

Specific closures may prohibit theuse and postcode, 15mminheight, clearly letters HN,initialandsurname, year ofbirth Identification: The buoy musthave the pyramid netsoracombination ofboth. lift netsoropen comprised ofeither hoop/lift Upto atotal number: of5 Maximum size: notlessthan13mm. Mesh Mesh exceeding 1.25m. diagonal ofthehoops, orframes rings not not more than1m.Greatest diameter or net (inclusive ofhoops, orframes) rings each otherby any rigid frame. Drop of attached to thenet, butnotattached to not more than2hoops, orframes rings dimensions:Netattached with Maximum page 60 for alistofclosedareas). 36 Fishing methods and activities NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide

mm

13

2444

diameter 35mm maximum 1963

ST, ST, J Smith J 0.6m 0.5m The net is used only as a hand implement and net is used only as a hand implement The attached to the trap at or above the water the water or above at the trap to attached the letters which clearly displays level of birth year initial and surname, and ST, clearly visible in height, 15mm postcode, colour. and in a contrasting Maximum number: One (1) trap may be set, Maximum be set, number: may One (1) trap possession. used and in your a tag with Must have Identification: 45mm least 80mm by dimensions of at take Yabbies in Googong Dam and in Lakes Yabbies take or Jindabyne). Eucumbene Wallace, Lyell, Maximum dimensions: 0.6m x 0.5m x 0.5m. 13mm maximum measured Mesh size: the diagonal. across funnels: Inner hole maximum Entrance width of 35mm. pyramid lift both. of or a combination nets pyramid the have must The buoy Identification: of birth year and surname, PN, initial letters clearly height, 15mm in and postcode, the to colour in a contrasting visible and must the buoy to attached rope Any buoy. on the surfacenot be floating water. of the be leftMaximum set time: Cannot set for than 24 hours. more and take Crayfish to Inland waters Waters: trout and closed waters except Yabbies of 5 a total up to (other than using waters hoop/ lift of either comprised nets or open lift of both, to combination nets or a pyramid Mesh size: Between Mesh 40mm. and 13mm size: Maximum of 5 number: a total to Up lift of either hoop/ comprised or open nets

0.5m ■ ■ Note: Note: and then the water into the method of lowering only by net vertically the the surface.drawing to trap Shrimp ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Mesh not less than 13mm stretch knots between max 0.6m max base 40mm

Mesh not less than Mesh not 13mm stretch knots between 13mm 0.2m

min opening

2444

1963

PN, PN,

J Smith Smith J

1.25m

2444 1963

0.2m

HN, HN, J Smith Smith J min opening 0.6m max base

The net is used only as a hand implement and net is used only as a hand implement The than 200 mm in all dimensions; parallel to to than 200 mm in all dimensions; parallel the base of the net with a mesh net height than 150 mm, a maximum base of not more of 600 mm in length and width size Maximum dimensions: Netting with a less of not the top opening at horizontal Jindabyne). open pyramid lift nets or a combination open pyramid in Googong Dam Yabbies take of both, to or Eucumbene Wallace, and in Lakes Lyell, Waters: Inland waters to take Crayfish and take Crayfish to Inland waters Waters: trout and closed waters except Yabbies of a total up to (other than using waters of either hoop/ lift5 comprised nets or not be floating on the surfacenot be floating water. of the be leftMaximum set time: Cannot set for than 24 hours. more visible and in a contrasting colour to the to colour visible and in a contrasting must the buoy to attached rope Any buoy. 1m

0.15m max height Open pyramid liftOpen net pyramid ■ drawing the net vertically the surface.drawing to Note: Note: and then the water into the method of lowering only by ■ ■ 37 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing methods and activities ■ Hand-hauled yabby net line orrod. caught by hand retrieval offish aidfor an ancillary May onlybeusedas net Landing ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Must beusedasahandimplementMust only. trout waters. river orpublicdam,inclosedareas or drains orlagoons. Notpermitted inany in inlandwaters, beingground tanks, bore Waters: May onlybeusedto take Yabbies other net. Not to be set, stakedorjoinedwithany continuously andmanuallypropelled. settime:Zero.Maximum be Must used withorwithouthaulinglinespoles. assist intheoperation ofthenet. May be one (1)person.Oneotherpersonmay numberofusers:PropelledMaximum by across thediagonal. size:Mesh 40mmmaximummeasured measured alongtheheadline. dimension:UptoMaximum 6minlength closed areas andtrout waters. take freshwater and Shrimp Yabbies, except Waters: May beusedininlandwaters to more than24hours. setfor settime:CannotMaximum beleft 6m

40mm ■ ■ ■ (including opera houseandKulkyne) Yabby traps ■ ■ ■

and birds from entering thetrap insearch direction. This isto protect platypus, turtles opening of90mmmeasured inany funnelsto amaximum theentry restrict at somepoint alongtheirlength,soasto 90mm permanentlyaffixed funnels to entry withamaximuminternalring diameter of funnels. The device mustconsist ofarigid device mustbefitted to all entrance Entrance funnels:Abycatch reduction metal orhard plasticisprohibited. meshsuchas Rigid to knot. from knot measured across thestretched diagonal Netting ormeshsize: 13mmminimum width x0.3mdepth. dimensions:1mMaximum lengthx0.6m letters YT, initialandsurname, year of birth tags andbuoys display mustclearly the of at least80mm x45mm.Identification above thewater level and have dimensions the tagmustbeattached to thetrap at or the water. thetrap isidentified If by atag, of must notbefloating onthesurface the water. Any rope attached to thebuoy in alldimensionsandmustbe50mm above the trap andmeasure not lessthan100mm a buoy, thebuoy mustbepositionedabove by abuoy ortag. thetrap isidentified If by Identification: Position ofthetrap located more than24hours. setfor settime:CannotMaximum beleft or inyour possession. specified, up to five traps may beset, used Unlessotherwise number: Maximum of food andgettingcaught inthetrap.

J Smith YT, 1963 2444

J SmithYT, 1963 2444

13mm 38 Fishing methods and activities NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide To minimise any unwanted damage to damage to unwanted minimise any To in place. traps yabby Modify your metal or plastic rigid have don’t If traps your funnels with a diameter rings on the entrance fit rings as described below. of 90mm or less, such as turtles rings will restrictThese wildlife the traps. getting into from and cormorants the traps bait from will not lose your You will not catches Yabby as often and your be reduced. traps are required to have a bycatch reduction bycatch a have to required are traps Traps funnels. to all entrance fitted device every least at must be checked 24 hours check to encouraged are although fishers unwanted any ensure to regularly their traps The the water. to safely is returned catch and closure trap yabby general of the intent the prevent is to reduction device the bycatch of of platypusdeath capture and minimise animals such as turtlesother air-breathing and rats. water in traps users of yabby our unique wildlife, must ensure permitted they are where waters rings funnel 90mm entrance have their traps Use of yabby traps yabby of Use all permitted, are traps yabby where In areas .

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/ Narrandera downstream to the to downstream Narrandera Road Bridge. Point Darlington the Edward River from the Murray River the Murray River from the Edward Stevens to downstream Point Picnic at and Weir the Murrumbidgee from River the Murray River from the Newell Newell the from River the Murray to downstream Tocumwal at Highway Bridge; road the Echuca waters east of the Newell Highway; of the Newell east waters

■ ■ ■ to take yabbies, except trout waters and waters trout except take yabbies, to areas plus the following closed waters found: platypus are where ■ 15mm in height, clearly and in a visible in height, 15mm colour. contrasting inland waters be used in May Waters: and postcode of the person using the trap, trap, the using person of the postcode and You can report suspected illegal fishing You For more information regarding inland regarding information more For

compliance/report-illegal-activity it online at it online at activity calling 1800 043 536 or report by fishing guides visit fishing/recreational. recreational fishing rules, including local fishing rules, recreational ■ 39 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing methods and activities 3. 2. 1. Steps ■ ■ ■ ■ You are notpermitted to: Line fishing Prohibited andactivities fishing methods are permitted. nets asanalternative inareas where they are prohibited, useopenpyramid orhoop lift where yabby opera houseandKulkyne traps notusetrapswaters.Do inplatypus Yabby traps bannedwhere platypus occur modified traps may out. notkeepplatypus to rememberwildlife. that isimportant even It your trap isnow legal. thesamethingwithallotherfunnelsand Do downcrimp theendswithpliers. Hook thetwo endsofthewire together and

If youIf want to catch yabbies inpublicwaters Any unmodified yabby trap isahazard to You have funnel. now modifiedoneentry trap entrance funnel. Thread thewire into themeshofyabby Form aring. bend theends. Cut a30cmlengthofcoathanger wire and within 50m andinlineof sight. Leave hand heldlinesunattended unless properly stowed. hooks orlures attached, andshouldbe e.g.should notberigged shouldnothave penaltiesmayheavy apply. Spare lines isanoffencelines permitted. It and of themaximumnumberattended linesinexcess orpossessrigged Use, carry lines onlypermitted). Use handlines introut waters (rods and line,Set drop line, orjag(foul hooking). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ You are notpermitted to: andmethods Gear ■ You are notpermitted to: Baits or for fishthat donothave alegal length. orafishcleaningtable at aboat facility ramp, if thefishare beingcleaned at a fishcleaning are being prepared for immediate useasbait, being prepared for immediate consumption, tail. This rule doesnotapplyifthefishare and scaling. You cannot remove theheador in any mannerotherthanby gutting, gilling whilst you are in,onoradjacent to any waters to aminimumormaximumsizesubject limit You mustnotalter thelengthofafishwhichis Fish filleting

hoop (or open lift) nets in Googong Dam netsinGoogong hoop (oropenlift) Use traps andnetsintrout waters except dams to take Yabbies. Use ahand-hauledyabby netinrivers or Use abaitrake. Use alight to take Trout orSalmon. or Salmon. Use ahand(e.g. ‘tickle’) to take Trout page 34 and methods” oftheguide(from section specified withinthe “permitted fishinggear take fishorinvertebrates otherthangear nets, castnetsorany otherequipment to Use fishtraps, gill nets, drumnets, crab Use explosives, devices. firearms orelectrical in inlandwaters. Use spears, speargunsorbows andarrows adjacent to inlandwaters. Use gaffs orpossessagaffhookin,on Use frogs. Jindabyne to take Yabbies or Shrimp. and inLakesLyell, Wallace, Eucumbene or ), withinthewaters prescribed. 40 Fishing methods and activities NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide on or adjacent to waters. to on or adjacent species. or protected threatened Take fish – prohibited size Keep prohibited returned fish should be immediately size the water. unharmed to possession limit of of your Be in excess fish when transporting such or storing been have is if the fish exception An fish. receiver fish a registered from purchased a fish shop. e.g. traps,nets, line fishing, methods (e.g. any Use (see page 60). in closed areas bait collection etc.) catch. Sell recreational consumption, immediate use as bait or use as immediate consumption, facility a fish cleaning being cleaned at are or specifically provided or other place of fish, not the cleaning for, used ordinarily waters. on any being in or Murray Yabbies, including Keep Crayfish, with eggs, Crayfish or other Spiny Crayfish with Crayfish those eggs. remove or to water. the to eggs must be returned species in take any to or attempt Take fishing. closed to waters gear in, fishing or prohibited excess Possess any waters. This rule does not apply if the if the apply not rule does This waters. any for immediate being prepared are crayfish

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ General to: not permitted are You ■ ■ for a list of for page 35 for a list of trout waters in NSW). waters a list of trout for Hume Weir near Albury the Newell to Weir Hume Tocumwal. bridge at road Highway Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagai bridge, road Hume Highway at face of the weir and 100m upstream near Ganmain. Weir Berembed 130m below River from Murray Murrumbidgee the River between claws when you are in, on or adjacent to to or adjacent in, on are when you claws Remove or possess the heads, tails or or possess the heads, Remove (b) time other than between June and August June and August time other than between waters: specified the following in (inclusive) (a) Take Murray Crayfish in any waters at any at any waters in any Crayfish Murray Take in artificial fly and lure waters and trout and in artificialwaters fly and lure (see streams spawning and waters trout general baits in permitted page 45 products containing them. products containing other similarly dough based baits or any Use artificiallymanufactured bait product dead Carp. mammals. or live birds live Use fish as bait. size prohibited Use (eggs) or and Salmon roe Trout Use live Carp or other pest species. or other pest Carp live or parts fish non-native Use thereof other than or dead, whether alive Use live finfish in inland waters including including waters inland in finfish live Use

■ ■ Crayfish to: not permitted are You ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Map of NSW showing Murray Crayfish fishing areas fishing Crayfish Murray Map showing of NSW 41 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing methods and activities Summary tableofbaglimits, sizeSummary limitsandfishingseasons* Fish species Crayfish, Murray PerchEstuary Australian and Bass (excluding Trout andSalmon) Non-native species finfish nativeOther species finfish Yabbies, Freshwater Trout andSalmon Silver Perch Murray Cod PerchGolden Freshwater Catfish, (Eel-tailed) Eel, Longfin Eel, Shortfin Southern Crayfish, otherSpiny Legal length 25cm inlisted dams 55cm to 75cm 30cm eastern rivers eastern damsand 30cm inlisted dams, 58cm 30cm 9cm 10cm to 12cm – – – – 25cm inallotherwaters spawning streams 50cm introut lure streams anddams flyand 25cm inartificial Daily limit 2 RiverEndangeredthe Snowy Ecological Community. Note: Catch andrelease fishingonly permitted in can belongerthan35cminrivers) 2 (oneormore species, only1ofwhich – than invertebrates) 10 (oneormore speciesother 200 all otherwaters 5 (oneormore species)in spawning streams 1 (ofany species)in Trout fly andlure streams anddams 2 (oneormore species)inartificial 5 inlisted dams 2 5 2 ineastern rivers 5 inlisted damsandeastern dams 10 10 which canbelongerthan12cm) 5 (oneormore species, only1of

Possession limit 4 35cm inrivers) 1 of whichcanbelongerthan 4 (oneormore species, only – than invertebrates) 10 (oneormore speciesother 200 other waters 10 (oneormore species)inall Trout spawning streams 2 (oneormore species)in and dams flyandlure streamsartificial 4 (oneormore species)in 10 inlisted dams 4 10 dams, 4ineastern rivers 10 inlisted damsandeastern 10 10 than 12cm) 1 of whichcanbelonger 10 (oneormore species, only

Open fishingseason Open All year. All year. All year. other waters are opento fishingall year. weekend ingeneral trout streams. Generaltrout damsandall From longweekend to ofOctober endofJunelong thestart 30 April. longweekendand lure to ofOctober streams applyfrom start From 1May to endofJunelongweekend. fly Rulesfor artificial dams are opento fishingall year. flyandlureArtificial flyand streams.weekend inartificial lure From longweekend to ofOctober endofJunelong thestart dams. All year inlisted dams. Cannot betakeninrivers orunlisted Blowering Dams. December to August eachyear. All year inCopeton and All year. All year ineastern rivers, eastern damsandlisted dams. All year. All year. from any waters. Note: The Fitzroy Falls Spiny Crayfish is totally protected andcannotbetaken All year. Cannot betakenintrout waters. closed to Murray Crayfish fishing atallothertimes. road at bridge Tocumwal (seemapon from 130below Hume Weir to theNewell Highway nearAlbury the weir face at Berembed Weir (b) Murray nearGanmain River Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagaiand100mupstream of Riverbetween the River): (a)Murrumbidgee the Murrumbidgee the waters listed below, of except atributary Creek, OldMan ponds, canals, channelsorwaterways ofthemainchannels only (includingalltributaries, lakes, lagoons, dams, reservoirs, From 1Juneto 31August inthefollowing specified waters and rivers above impoundments are opento fishingall year. (catch andrelease fishingpermitted fromMay to August). Dams September to inrivers April below freshwater impoundments page 40 ). All waters are 42 Fishing methods and activities NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide of All year. All All year. All All year. All Note: The Fitzroy Falls Spiny Crayfish is totally protected and cannot be taken and cannot be taken totally protected is Crayfish Spiny Falls Fitzroy The Note: waters. any from year. All year. All year. All and in Copeton year All each year. August to December Dams. Blowering or unlisted be taken in rivers Cannot dams. in listed year All dams. From 1 June to 31 August in the following specified waters waters specified in the following 31 August June to 1 From reservoirs, dams, lagoons, lakes, all tributaries, only (including of the main channels of channels or waterways canals, ponds, Old Man Creek, a tributary except of below, listed the waters the Murrumbidgee River): (a) Murrumbidgee the River between of upstream Gundagai and 100m bridge, road Hume Highway River near Ganmain Murray (b) Weir Berembed at face the weir near AlburyHighway the Newell to Weir Hume 130 below from are waters (see map on page 40). All Tocumwal bridge at road at all other times. fishing Crayfish Murray closed to Open fishing season From the start end of June long of October to long weekend From lure artificial in weekend Artificial fly and streams. fly and lure year. fishing all to open dams are artificial Rules for fly end of June long weekend. to 1 May From start apply from streams of October to and lure long weekend 30 April. the start end of June long of October to long weekend From dams and all General trout streams. trout general in weekend year. fishing all open to are other waters All year. Cannot be taken in trout waters. be taken in trout Cannot year. All dams. dams and listed eastern rivers, in eastern year All September to April in rivers below freshwater impoundments impoundments freshwater below April in rivers to September August). Dams to May from fishing permitted and release (catch year. all fishing open to are impoundments above and rivers

for the location of these the location (see page 60 for waters apply in other may Seasonal fishing closures Trout waters). of the location (see page 45 for the October long weekend on page 43. shown dams are Listed of NSW. drainages within the eastern located waters to refer rivers” “eastern and dams” “eastern the terms In the table, waters). *Note: The possession limit is the maximum number of fish per person if you have been fishing for more than one day. One day is equal to the 24 hour period from midnight to the 24 hour period day is equal One day. than one for more been fishing you have number of fish per person if possession limit is the maximum The *Note: to the start weekend from the end of the June long streams trout spawning and artificial streams fly and lure streams, trout in general is prohibited Fishing midnight. to than invertebrates) – 10 (one or more species other species other 10 (one or more 200 other waters 10 (one or more species) in all species) in all 10 (one or more 2 (one or more species) in species) in 2 (one or more streams spawning Trout and dams 4 (one or more species) in 4 (one or more artificial streams fly and lure 10 in listed dams 10 in listed 10 4 10 in listed dams and eastern 10 in listed rivers 4 in eastern dams, 10 than 12cm) 10 10 (one or more species, only only species, 10 (one or more 1 of which can be longer 4 35cm in rivers) 4 (one or more species, only only species, 4 (one or more can be longer than 1 of which Possession limit Possession

– 2 (one or more species, only 1 of which which only 1 of species, 2 (one or more than 35cm in rivers) can be longer 2 (one or more species) in artificial2 (one or more and dams streams fly and lure Trout species) in 1 (of any streams spawning 200 species other 10 (one or more than invertebrates) 5 (one or more species, only 1 of only 1 of species, 5 (one or more 12cm) which can be longer than 10 10 dams dams and eastern 5 in listed rivers 2 in eastern 5 2 dams 5 in listed 2 Daily limit Daily 5 (one or more species) in species) in 5 (one or more all other waters Note: Catch and release fishing only permitted in in fishing only permitted and release Catch Note: Community. Ecological the SnowyEndangered River – – 25cm in artificial fly and and dams streams lure 50cm in trout spawning streams 25cm in all other waters – – 9cm 30cm 58cm dams, 30cm in listed dams and eastern rivers eastern 30cm 75cm 55cm to dams 25cm in listed 10cm to 12cm 10cm to Legal length Legal Yabbies, Freshwater Yabbies, finfish species Other native finfish species Non-native and Salmon) Trout (excluding Crayfish, other Spiny Crayfish, Southern ShortfinEel, Longfin Eel, (Eel-tailed) Catfish, Freshwater Golden Perch Cod Murray Perch Silver and Salmon Trout Australian Bass and Australian Estuary Perch Murray Crayfish, Fish species Fish Summary table of bag limits, size limits and fishing seasons* and fishing limits Summary size limits, of bag table

43 Listed dams

Dams where Silver Perch and Freshwater Catfish may be taken

No. Dam/weir Nearest town Species permitted Pindari Burrendong Yass Blowering Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering 1 Pindari Ashford Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama 2 Copeton Inverell Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert 3 Split Rock Manilla Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Keepit Windamere Wyangan Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong 4 Keepit Gunnedah Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering Pindari Burrendong Yass Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering 5 ChaffeyPindari Chaffey NundleBurrendong Yass Silver Perch,Blowering Freshwater Catfish

Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama 6 Glenbawn Scone Silver Perch, Dams where Silver Perch / Freshwater Catfish may be taken may Catfish / Freshwater Perch Silver Dams where Freshwater Catfish

Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert 7 Glennies Singleton Silver Perch, Creek Freshwater Catfish

Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong Keepit Windamere Wyangan Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong 8 Windamere Mudgee Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering 9 Burrendong Wellington Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Copeton Glenbawn Ben Chifley Burrinjuck Jounama Pindari Chaffey Burrendong Yass Blowering 10 Ben Chifley Bathurst Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish

Split Rock Glennies Creek Wyangala Lake Albert Glennies Creek Wyangala CopetonSplit Rock Glenbawn Ben Chifley BurrinjuckLake Albert Jounama 11 Wyangala Cowra Silver Perch, Freshwater Catfish Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing Freshwater Recreational Windamere SplitKeepit Rock Glennies Creek WyangalaWyangan LakeGoogong Albert Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong NSW NSW

Keepit Windamere Wyangan Googong 44 Dams where Silver Perch / Freshwater Catfish may be taken NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Silver Perch Silver Perch Silver Silver Perch Silver Perch Silver Perch Silver Perch Silver Perch Silver Species permitted Blowering Jounama Blowering Blowering Blowering Jounama Jounama Jounama Jounama Blowering Yass Burrinjuck AlbertLake Googong Tumut Talbingo Griffith Yass Yass Wagga Wagga Queanbeyan Nearest town Nearest Wyangan Ben Chifley Wyangala Burrendong Jounama Jounama Blowering Blowering Googong Googong Googong Googong Burrinjuck Burrinjuck Burrinjuck Lake Albert Lake Albert Lake Albert Lake Albert Yass Yass Yass Yass Burrinjuck Windamere Glennies Creek Glennies Glenbawn Chaffey Jounama Googong Blowering Lake Albert Burrinjuck Yass Wyangan Dam/weir Wyangan Wyangan Wyangan Wyangala Wyangala Wyangan Ben Chifley Wyangala Wyangala Burrendong Ben Chifley Ben Chifley Ben Chifley Burrendong Burrendong Burrendong Googong Googong Lake Albert Lake Albert Burrinjuck Burrinjuck Yass Yass Freshwater Catfish may also be taken from all other eastern dams and eastern flowing streams. flowing dams and eastern all other eastern also be taken from may Catfish Freshwater 18 16 17 15 14 13 12 No. Dams where Silver Perch and Freshwater Catfish may be taken may Catfish and Freshwater Perch Silver Dams where Note: Note: Keepit Split Rock Split Copeton Pindari Windamere Windamere Windamere Windamere Glennies Creek Glennies Creek Glennies Creek Glennies Creek Glenbawn Glenbawn Glenbawn Glenbawn Chaffey Chaffey Chaffey Chaffey Wyangan Wyangan Wyangala Wyangala Ben Chifley Ben Chifley Burrendong Burrendong Keepit Keepit Keepit Keepit Split Rock Split Rock Split Rock Split Rock Copeton Copeton Copeton Copeton Pindari Pindari Pindari Pindari Windamere Windamere Glennies Creek Glennies Creek Glenbawn Glenbawn Chaffey Chaffey Keepit Keepit Copeton Copeton Split Rock Split Rock Pindari Pindari 45 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Trout waters Trout spawning streams. Targeting otherspeciesinclosedwaters isprohibited. closures allforms offishingisprohibited ingeneral trout flyand streams,lure streams and artificial upstream ofpoints indicated. unlisted waters In general fishingrulesapply. seasonal During stream isnotlisted lookfor themajorstream itrunsinto. Rulesapplyto allstreams andtributaries populations andshares catches fairly. You willfinddetailsinthe following colour coded tables.If a There are four oftrout types waters. Eachhasdifferent rules. This helpsprotect breeding Trout waters Key to trout waters Permitted gear: Fishing season: Permitted gear: Fishing season: Permitted gear: Fishing season: Permitted gear: Fishing season: 2 1 4 3 Trout spawning streams General trout dams General trout streams flyandlureArtificial waters

lures. Baitfishing allowed. no more than3hooks attached fliesor where thosehooks are artificial fishing allowed. longweekend. oftheOctober the start weekend. Fishing prohibited from theendofJunelongweekend to Black Lake. for rigged Gear baitfishingisprohibited. fliesorlures atup to 3hooks withartificial Thompsons Creek Damand Black Lake). longweekend (except oftheOctober start Thompsons Creek Damand all year. Fishing prohibited from theendofJunelongweekend to the weekend except Thompsons Creek DamandBlackLakewhichare open for rigged Gear baitfishingisprohibited. longweekend.the October Fishing prohibited from of theendofJunelongweekend to thestart from Saturday longweekend to October eachyear 30April inclusive). 2 attended rods eachwith alineandnomore than2hooksattached or All year. 1 attended rod andlinewithnomore than2 hooks attached. Bait Saturday long weekend to October morning Monday night Junelong 1 attended fliesorlures rod or andlinewithupto 2hookswithartificial Saturday longweekend to October morning Monday night Junelong 1 attended fliesorlures. rod andlinewithupto 2hookswithartificial flyandlure1 May to endJunelongweekend towaters (revert artificial 46 Trout waters NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide up to 5 hoop nets to take Yabbies permitted Yabbies take to 5 hoop nets up to also included Captains Flat Dam Flat Captains Dam Carcoar Boree Creek Creek Boree of MandageryUpstream junction Creek Bobundra Creek Creek Bobundra Snowy of River junctionUpstream Blicks River Blicks River bridge Dundurrabin at road of Upstream Ben Chifley Dam Ben Chifley Black Lake Upstream of Cherry Tree Falls Bridge, Canowindra Bridge, Falls Tree Cherry of Upstream Bemboka River junction Creek Tantawangelo of Upstream Upstream of Molong Creek* junction Molong of Creek* Upstream Belubula River Upstream of Belgravia Road crossing Belgravia of Upstream Bell (B) River Beardy Waters Beardy junction Creek* of Furracabad Upstream Bell (A) River Upstream of Moppy River* junction of Moppy Upstream Dam Waters Beardy Upstream of Gulf Creek* junction of Gulf Creek* Upstream River Barrington Upstream of Tia River* junctionTia of Upstream River Barnard Apsley River Apsley artificial fly and lure fishing from shore only from 1hr before sunrise to 4hrssunrise after sunset before 1hr from only artificial from shore fishing fly and lure Legend 4 4 3 2 3 2 4 3 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 3 ** # * Listed trout waters in NSW waters trout Listed 47 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Trout waters 21 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 2 4 Upstream Creek* ofSharpes junction Gloucester River Upstream ofLouisa Creek junction Georges Creek Dam Geehi withGoodradigbeeRiver Upstream ofjunction Flea Creek Fitzroy Falls Reservoir Upstream ofbackedupwaters ofEucumbene DamincludingProvidence Portal Eucumbene Dam# Upstream ofroad crossing Station nearOgunbil Dungowan Creek Dumaresq Dam Perisher Valley CreekDiggers Dam Upstream ofNewEnglandHighway Bridge, Deepwater Deepwater River Upstream ofLawson Park Weir, to Mudgee Windamere Damwall Cudgegong River Note: JenolanRiver Upstream ofLittleRiver junction Coxs River Upstream River* junction ofMummel Cooplacurripa River Coolumbooka Weir River* junction Upstream ofDilgry Cobark River Upstream of Wollomombi River* junction Chandler River Upstream Brook* from junction Stewarts Brook Carters 2 Eucumbene River totally closedupstream ofthespawning poolat JenolanCaves 48 Trout waters NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Lake Bathurst Bathurst Lake Upstream of Numeralla River junction River Numeralla of Upstream Lachlan River Road Bridge of Cowra-Young Upstream Upstream of Morong Creek* junction Creek* Morong of Upstream River Kybean Khancoban Pondage Pondage Khancoban River Kowmung Khancoban Creek Creek Khancoban of Khancoban Pondage backed up waters of Upstream Island BendIsland Dam Jounama Pondage Upstream of Pages Creek junction Creek Pages of Upstream Ingeegoodbee River border Victorian of Upstream Upstream of Cut Road Creek* junction Road Creek* Cut of Upstream River Hunter Happy Jacks Pondage Pondage Jacks Happy Horton River Gwydir River River Gwydir junction Dam to with Copeton from Bridge and downstream Torryburn of Upstream Dingo Creek) (excludes Dingo Creek Guy Fawkes River River Guy Fawkes of Aberfoyle River junctionUpstream Upstream of Wollondilly River junction Wollondilly of Upstream Guthega Lake Gosling Creek Reservoir Gosling Creek Creek Guineacor Upstream of backed up waters of Burrinjuck Dam up waters of backed Upstream Googong Dam # Goodradigbee River Goodradigbee River 4 3 2 3 4 2 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 4 4 3 49 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Trout waters 4 3 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 Upstream offord immediately below Limestone Creek junction Moredun Creek Upstream ofHunter River junction Brook Moonan Upstream ofrailway at bridge Burbong RiverMolonglo Upstream ofBorenore Creek junction CreekMolong WeirMarsden Upstream ofGummi Trail crossing RiverManning Dam Malpas Upstream ofLewis Ponds Creek* junction Macquarie River Upstream ofbackedupwaters Dam ofBurrinjuck SwampMacphersons Creek Upstream Riverjunction ofSnowy River MacLaughlin Upstream ofroad at bridge Elsmore MacIntyre River Upstream ofNewEnglandHighway at Bridge Bendemeer RiverMacDonald Upstream offord at BaldersleighStation Laura Creek Lake Williams Lake Wallace (Wallerawang Dam)# Lake Lyell # Lake Jindabyne # Lake Crackenback Lake Canobolas 50 Trout waters NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Shoalhaven River River Shoalhaven River* junction of Mongarlowe Upstream Rossi Weir Rossi Weir Dams Sheba Upstream of fence boundaryfence of of GoogongUpstream Dam Reserve (about 1km of the dam wall) downstream supply) water Dam (Crookwell Redground Pejar Dam Pejar River Queanbeyan Upstream of Polblue Creek* junction Creek* Polblue of Upstream Dam River Paddys Oberon Dam Oberon Omadale Brook Oban River Oban River River junction Sara of Upstream Upstream of Wild Cattle Creek* junction Creek* Cattle Wild of Upstream Oaky River Oaky of Upstream up waters Dam backed River Upstream of Nowendoc Falls of Nowendoc Upstream Nymboida River Upstream of Tuggolo Creek* junction Creek* Tuggolo of Upstream River Nowendoc Murrumbidgee River Murrumbidgee junction River* of Bredbo Upstream Creek Myall Upstream of Tintaldra Road Bridge Tintaldra of Upstream 2 Pondage Murray Upstream of Cockburn junction River Upstream River Murray Upstream of Snowy junction River Upstream Creek Mulla Mulla Mowamba River River Mowamba 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 51 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Trout waters 4 3 4 4 4 4 1 2 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 Tumut 2Pondage Tumut River Tumut Ponds Tooma Dam Todkill Park Dam Three Dam Mile Thompsons Creek Dam** Tantangara Dam Talbingo Dam Tuross River Wollondilly River Wildes Meadow Creek Wentworth Falls Lake Wellingrove Creek Upstream of Tarlo River*junction Upstream ofbacked up waters ofFitzroy Falls Reservoir Upstream Highway ofGwydir Bridge Road Upstream of Tuross Falls Upstream Riverjunction ofMurrumbidgee Sawpit Creek totally closed upstream. to 2.4km Reserve Note: Upstream ofbackedupwaters ofLakeJindabyne. Upstream Plains Bridge Road ofKings Swan Brook StationKhancoban Upstream (excluding of ofMurray Backwater) to River Junction upstream Indi boundary Swampy PlainRiver Dutton TroutHatchery. Note: Road Upstream ofArmidale-Bellbrook Styx River Upstream of Victorian border River Snowy 2 Thredbo River Thredbo Thredbo River totally closedinsignposted reach at Gaden Trout from upstream Hatchery endofPaddys Corner Serpentine RivertotallySerpentine closedfrom thetopFalls ofSerpentine to theweir at thePoint Lookout crossing Road near

52 Trout waters NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 53 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Threatened and protected species Grows to 300mminlength,butare more commonly around 170–180mm. belly to olive green mid-lateral orbrownish withadarker streak ontheback, andgreyish fins. varies from backandwhitish silver withanolive-grey Found coastal inthesouthern rivers ofNSW. Colour Conservation status: Australian Grayling Threatened species online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries. returned carefully to thewater. isalsoillegalto damagethehabitat ofathreatened It species. isillegalto take, orpossessthreatenedIt harm orprotected species. caught theymustbe If Threatened andprotectedspecies length and lesspronounced arch ofthehead behindthe eyes. Distinguished from Perch Golden by alarge eye surrounded by white colouring, jaws ofequal species that canlive andbreed incold, fastflowing, mountain streams. Shoalhaven/Kangaroo catchments. Oneofafew native and Lachlan, Murray andHawkesbury/Nepean, Found intheupperreaches oftheMurrumbidgee, Conservation status: Macquarie Perch Riverupstreamthe Mann to PlatypusFlat. Sara andGuyFawkes with from Riverandallofitstributaries itsjunction Rivers)andtheNymboida withtheClarence upstreamand allofitstributaries ofitsjunction River(whichincludes theBoyd, methods for any species offishisprohibited River during inclusiveMann August October inthe to Rivercatchment. oftheRichmond parts To protect breeding Eastern Freshwater Cod, allfishing Clarence Riveranditstributaries. Stocked populations occur in Remnant populations are ofthe now onlyfound inparts Conservation status: Eastern (Freshwater) RiverRiver Blackfishfrom catchment. theSnowy juveniles. Prefers smalluplandstream isanoffence habitat. It to take, orbeinpossessionof harm, susceptible to siltation. Eggs covered withsiltare likelyto dieandincreased sediment cankill Can occur inwestern flowing streams inNSWbutits range is considerably reduced. Particularly River catchmentSnowy isendangered. Conservation status: River Blackfish eastern damsandrivers (see unlisted western damsinNSW. Freshwater Catfish may betakenfrom listed western damsand the 1970sand80s. Fishing for Freshwater Catfish isprohibited inall western flowing waters and Numbers declinedfollowing invasion ofCarp during (Murray-Darling Basincatchment). Conservation status: Freshwater Catfish (Eel-Tailed) You cankeepupto date withthreatened orprotected specieslistingsonthewebsite www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/species-protection/report-it Gadopsis marmoratusGadopsis

Macquaria australasica

Prototroctes maraena Endangered species. RiverBlackfishpopulation inthe

Endangered species. Endangered species. Endangered population. Cod Cod Maccullochella ikei page 43 Help increase knowledge of these species by reporting sightings sightings Helpincreaseofthesespeciesby reporting knowledge

Tandanus tandanus ).

54 Threatened and protected species NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Oxleyan Oxleyan

) but can be Purple SpottedPurple , Southern Pygmy , Cherax Destructor Cherax . ).

Craterocephalus amniculus, Craterocephalus Ambassis agassizii

)

page 43

Craterocephalus fluviatilis Craterocephalus Galaxias rostratus

Murray Hardyhead Hardyhead Murray

Flathead Galaxias Flathead Euastucus dharawalus Euastucus , and

Olive Perchlet (western population (western Perchlet Olive , Critically Endangered Vulnerable species. Vulnerable Endangered species. Endangered Vulnerable species. Vulnerable Euastacus armatus Euastacus

Nannoperca oxleyana, Nannoperca

Bidyanus bidyanus Bidyanus Maccullochella macquariensis Maccullochella Darling River Hardyhead (Hunter River population) River (Hunter Hardyhead River Darling

Mogurnda adspersa

). All waters are closed to Murray Crayfish fishing at all other times. fishing Crayfish Murray closed to are waters ). All Nannoperca australis Nannoperca

upstream from Fitzroy Falls. Often confused with the common Yabby ( Yabby Often with the common confused Falls. Fitzroy from upstream Meadow Creek, survivingMeadow a small length of waterway restricted to population, as a remnant The Fitzroy Falls Spiny Crayfish is endemic to a small location to a small location is endemic Crayfish Spiny Falls Fitzroy The Wildes in species is found The on the southern highlands. Conservation status: status: Conservation Fitzroy Falls Spiny Crayfish Spiny Falls Fitzroy Prefers river, lake and reservoir habitats and areas of rapid flow. flow. of rapid lake and reservoir and areas habitats river, Prefers (see impoundments stocked listed only be taken from May Basin. Remnant populations remain in some areas such as in some areas remain Basin. Remnant populations and parts River River system. Murray the central of the Edward Once widespread throughout most of the Murray-Darling most of the Murray-Darling throughout widespread Once Silver Perch Perch Silver status: Conservation Catch and release fishing is permitted in Talbingo Dam. in fishing is permitted and release Catch Road Bridge from September to November inclusive to protect breeding Trout Cod populations. populations. Cod Trout breeding protect to inclusive November to September Road Bridge from the snout and forehead are usually clear of any markings. All fishing methods for any species of fish for any markings. fishing methods All usually clear of any are the snout and forehead Tocumwal and the Weir Yarrawonga River and its tributariesthe Murray in between is prohibited Murray Cod by their blue/grey colour with well-defined colour spots and dashed markings; their blue/grey the snout and by Cod Murray and convex or slightly is straight profile the forehead usually longer than the lower; are upper jaw Once widespread throughout the lower Murray-Darling system, Murray-Darling the lower throughout widespread Once distinguished from are Cod Trout in NSW. remains now population breeding only one natural Conservation status: status: Conservation Trout Cod Trout page 40 between the Gundagai road bridge and Berembed Weir (excluding Old Man Creek) and in the Murray and in the Old Man Creek) (excluding Weir bridge and Berembed the Gundagai road between (see map on 31 August 1 June to bridge from road Tocumwal and Weir Hume River between in carapace length and around 2.5kg. It can be distinguished from other species by its large size, white size, its large It by other species 2.5kg. from can be distinguished around length and in carapace the Murrumbidgee River only be taken from May the tail. spines on each side of and white claws of habitats ranging from pasture lands to sclerophyll forest, in forest, sclerophyll to lands pasture from ranging of habitats than 150mm more to grows species The altitudinal range. a broad throughout sizes of stream a range Murray-Darling Basin. Murray Crayfish can be found in a varietyfound in a can be Crayfish Basin. Murray Murray-Darling Conservation status: status: Conservation southernto the tributaries is endemic of the Crayfish Murray The Murray Crayfish Murray Gudgeon Pygmy Perch Pygmy Perch fishers are unlikely to encounter them when carryingto encounter unlikely out normalfishers are fishing Some of theseactivities. species are A number of small bodied native fish species are listed as threatened in NSW. However, freshwater freshwater However, in NSW. as threatened listed fish species are A number of small bodied native Other freshwater species Other freshwater while the Yabby is smooth shelled. It is an offence to take, harm or be in possession of Fitzroy Falls Fitzroy harm or be in possession of to take, It is smooth shelled. is an offence Yabby while the Crayfish. Spiny distinguished by its larger size and the presence of short and abdomen spikes on its claws and the presence size robust its larger distinguished by 55 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Conserving our biodiversity – aquatic habitats and dams. designedas poorly road crossings, weirs Too fishare often stopped such by barriers creeks andwetlands. breed. Examplesincluderivers, billabongs, where fishlive, migrate to andfrom, feed and want to catch fish.Habitats are those places and diverse fishpopulations, amustif you Healthy anddiverse habitats meanhealthy More habitat =more fish – aquatic habitats Conserving ourbiodiversity ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Protecting biodiversity –tipsto remember this venture. fishing trustshasbeenprovided to assistwith Funding from therecreational support habitat to assisttherecovery offishstocks. organisations to protect andrehabilitate fish withmanyNSW DPIisworking peopleand native fishpopulations.no longersupport been lostordegraded to thepoint where they expanding populations andsomeareas have

Fish habitat isalsounderpressure from Fish needto beableto access habitat. avoid spreading pests. down your boat, trailer andfishinggear to weeds from onewaterway to another. Wash Take fish, carewater notto or transport and gear. appropriately, includingfishingline Take allrubbishhome ordispose by foot. retrieve your boat orto access waterways Use established access points to launchand as firewood. Snags are habitat for fish,not for use them. undermining prevents your boat wake from Travelling at low speednearriverbanks ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Watch outfor: DPI Fishers Watch Phoneline on your office localNSWDPIfisheries ortheNSW affectingfishhabitat contact illegal activities anyIf on keyfishhabitat. you seeorsuspect NSW DPIalsoregulates that impact activities ■ ■ and register your contact details. subscribe, [email protected] up to date withaquatic habitat activities. To newsletter electronic to keeppeople quarterly Fisheries ManagementAct 1994. waterways that require approval underthe riverbank rehabilitating/living-and-working-on-a- See

NSW DPIproduces Newstreams, afree Discharge ofpollutants into waterways. waterway crossings, nets, siltfences, fill. to fishpassageacross a waterway e.g. new barriers Placing ofpermanentortemporary waterway e.g. tyres, concrete, sediment etc. Materials orfillbeingplaced into a and boat ramps. suchasjetties structures New waterfront waterway.a New bedorbankstabilisation works within within waterways. onthebanksor working Machinery place inwetlands. Drains beingdugorotherworks taking removed ordamaged. or cobble beds, rocks androck barsbeing Snags, native vegetation, sediment, gravel website in restoring fishhabitat andcheckoutthe yourGet orlocalfishingclubinvolved friends a drain. Never release theminto awaterway or Aquarium fishshouldstay inanaquarium. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/habitat/ for more information onworks in www.fishhabitatnetwork.com.au 1800 043536 . 56 Pests and diseases NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Prevent accidental fish escapes. Screen Screen fish escapes. accidental Prevent overflow during prevent ponds to outdoor waste and dispose of fish heavy rains waterways. from away well appropriately pest species. identify to how Learn Perch as bait in freshwater – it is illegal. as bait in freshwater Perch fish in public stock Obtain a permit to for stocking and buy fingerlings waters hatchery minimise the to a registered from with pests/diseases. risk of contamination – check, hitchhikers unwanted Prevent clean and dry and gear between boats waterways. unwanted fish! Give dump that Don’t to friendsaquarium or a pet shop fish than letting them go in the wild. rather fish into live ItNote: release illegal to is without a permit and NSW waterways heavy penalties apply. an extended point (in most natives this fin most natives an extended (in point with a gap in the middle). is rounded to anal fin). (almost pelvic (belly) fins Long pests in considered fish Other freshwater pest fish such NSW include established Banded Grunter, Perch, Redfin as Carp, Weatherloach Gambusia,Eastern Oriental You can you can do: What and Goldfish. fish and native our waterways help protect and the introduction stop helping to by new areas. pests into of aquatic spread waterways fish between Do not transfer fish as bait in and do not use live or Redfin Tilapia or dead or live freshwater, Vary in colour from dark olive to silver-grey. silver-grey. to dark olive from in colour Vary Generally deep-bodied with thin fish, lips/ long snouts and pronounced profiles, jaws. and ends in continuous Dorsal (upper) fin is

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ How to identify Tilapia: Tilapia: identify to How ■ ■ ■ Tilapia If find you A significant freshwater pest fish to be on the fish pest freshwater A significant www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity on 02 4916 3877 (recorded 24 hour service);on 02 4916 3877 (recorded or online at email [email protected] a suspected Tilapia, please report NSW DPITilapia, it to a suspected Tilapia must be dispatched immediately and immediately must be dispatched Tilapia the water. to not be returned may move this pest in NSW. Heavy penalties apply this pest in NSW. move If whilst angling, non-compliance. caught for Under Part 2, Division 5, Clause 18 of theUnder Part sell or buy, possess, Regulation it is illegal to Biosecurity Regulation 2017 (the Regulation). new legislation Tilapia are declared a notifiable declared are Tilapia new legislation 2, Schedulespecies in NSW under Part 1 of the 1st July the NSW Government implemented the implemented 1st July the NSW Government new Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act). Under this to enter the Murray Darling or to otherwise Darling or to the Murray enter to On the NSW. throughout and establish spread significant threat to native species if they were they species if to native threat significant Basin, however they are not currently known not currently they are Basin, however pose a would Tilapia in this system. occur to Other populations of Tilapia within southernTilapia Other of populations as 3km as little Darling the Murray Qld are from Cabarita on the NSW far north coast. This is theThis NSW far north on the Cabarita coast. first incursion of this species in NSW. known NSW DPI confirmed the presence of Tilapia atTilapia of the presence NSW DPI confirmed species. In NSW and possession and sale ofspecies. In 2014 December is prohibited. Tilapia live lookout for in NSW is Tilapia. Tilapia are listed are Tilapia Tilapia. in NSW is lookout for introduced worst 100 of the world’s in the top impact of biosecurity threats. must then take all reasonable and practical and must then take all reasonable the potential or minimise prevent to measures enterprise, animal or the environment. We We environment. animal or the enterprise, or in some cases lack of action could have a actionor in some cases lack of have could impact another person, business on negative all community members have a general a general all community members have biosecurity actions, how duty consider to Government implemented the new Biosecurity implemented Government Act 2015 (the Act). new legislation Under this aquatic environment. On the 1st July the NSW On the 1st July the NSW environment. aquatic pests and diseases and their potential sources sources and their potential pests and diseases our into their spread prevent to in order threaten native fish and their habitats. fish and their habitats. It is native threaten possible out for important keep an eye we that native to NSW waters. Pest species can invade can invade species Pest waters. NSW to native and can environments marine or freshwater Pest species are established by intentional and intentional by established species are Pest not are fish that of introduction accidental Pests and diseases and Pests 57 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Pests and diseases ■ ■ should bedispatched humanely. return them live to thewater. Fish retained to retain andutiliselandedCarp rather than in NSWrecreational fishersare encouraged species inEurope, however astheyare apest aquatic ecosystems. Carp are apopularsport contributed to thedegradation ofournatural Murray-Darling Basinandare thought to have fish insomeareas, includingmostofthe are now themostabundant freshwater Australiaacross mostofsouth-eastern and of habitats includinghighlydegraded waters. versatileare andcanlive very inagreat variety popular anglingfishin Europe. European Carp Europe, Eastandare Asia a andtheMiddle in theworld. They are extensively in farmed the mostwidelydistributed freshwater fish countries have helpedmakeEuropean Carp native to central inmany Asia. Introductions European Carp are alarge freshwater fish Carp (European Carp)

Over thepast30yearsOver Carp have spread cool butdonotfreeze them. youIf are ableto keepsamples, keepthem biosecurity gov.au oronlineat [email protected] service); NSW DPIon0249163877(recorded 24 Contact your office localfisheries or contact events infishandshellfish. mortality pestsandunexplained suspected Report . www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ known asinfectionwith known White SpotSyndrome seafood iswhite spot diseaseofPrawns, also illegal to uselive asbaitinNSW. ordeadRedfin stored dead(e.g. isalso It onice inanesky). are retaining caughtthefishmustbe Redfin possession oflive inNSW. Redfin If anglers a notifiablespeciesanditisillegal to bein species inenclosedwater bodies. are Redfin (EHN) virus. other canalsoout-compete Redfin Epizootic Haematopoetic Necrosis carrying native Perch speciessuchasMacquarie by fish andinvertebrates andcanadversely affect tail. are Redfin voracious predators ofnative be identified by theirbright red lower finsand western corner of Western Australia. They can Australia South andthesouth- south-eastern across muchofNSW, Victoria, Tasmania, angling qualitiesandisnow widespread introduced to Australia inthe1860sfor its Europefish native which was to northern Redfin Perch isamediumsized freshwater remains free of White Spot. encouraged to play arole to ensure NSW outlets could spread WSSV. Fishers are being Prawns purchased from orfood supermarkets uncooked product. insomeimported detected health orfood safety. This diseasehasbeen prawns does. WSSV poses nothreat to human thevirus, howeverdoes notkill cooking byimpacted thedisease. Freezing prawns ofthevirus,can becarriers butare rarely Other crustaceans inaffected stock. mortality disease ofprawns that causeshighrates of WSSV isahighlycontagious viral Virus (WSSV). Redfin (English Redfin Perch) The latest diseaseto infect Australian 58 Pests and diseases NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Date and time when kill time when and Date observed. first observationsother general (odours, Any wildlife any of the water, look and colour etc.). frogs birds, e.g. affected Suspected identify). cause (if possible to Weather conditions prior to killprior to conditions Weather windy). dry, or wet temperature, (e.g. Water weeds are commonly spread by by spread commonly are weeds Water

quickly infesting rivers, lakes, wetlands and wetlands lakes, quickly rivers, infesting irrigation channels. mats, floating large can form weeds Water dense underwater thickets or stands along the reduce levels, oxygen can deplete They bank. pumps and restrict boat block water sunlight, in NSW of concern weeds Four navigation. and Weed Alligator Salvinia, Cabomba, are Hyacinth. Water nets, to attach fragments Plant people. can surviveThey trailers. and boat traps time out of water. considerable ■ ■ ■ name and contact your leave to forget Don’t contact can officer details so an investigating again if required. you weeds Water that plants invasive are weeds Water and economic the environmental, threaten grow They of waterways. value recreational seed and fragments, by and spread rapidly ■ . 1800 043 536 . 131 555 . sizes varysizes all the same size. or are marine, (e.g. of habitat Type estuary, freshwater). Condition and location of fish (e.g. dead, dead, of fish (e.g. and location Condition in floating edge, on waters gasping, dying, of waterway). on bottom waterway, and if centimetres) in of fish (estimate Size area hectares). Numbers and species of fish affected 1,000s). 100s, (e.g. 10s, Precise location in waterway (name nearby (name nearby in waterway location Precise landmarks). or other roads estimated by the affected kill (e.g. Area or in metres length of waterway Name of waterway (e.g. lake, river, creek) creek) river, lake, (e.g. Name of waterway and catchment. White Spot Disease being introduced introduced Spot Disease being White NSW. into consumption as bait in any NSW waters. bait in any as consumption importation ban on Obey the current and other yabbies nippers, of prawns, prevent to marine or worms crustaceans NSW seafood remains safe to consume. to safe remains NSW seafood human for intended Do not use prawns

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ If possible it is useful to provide the following the following If provide possible it is useful to when reportinginformation fish kills: Authority on If the fish to a suspectedkill is due pollution Protection contact the Environmental event DPI Fishers Watch Phoneline Phoneline Watch DPI Fishers Fish kills in the wild should be reported to Fish or the NSW DPI fisheries local NSW office, your many and varied causes of fish and varied many kills and a events. natural proportion due to large are often perceived to be the result of pollution be the result to often perceived In fact, are there of waters. or contamination which cause considerable interest and concern and concern interest which cause considerable public and the media because they are the to fish. Fish very often kills are fish. visible events A fish and any sudden kill is defined as unexpectedmass mortality wild or cultured of Fish kills Fish animal-health/aquaculture/white-spot- disease For more information on WSSV visit: on information more For www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/pests-diseases/ 3. 2. 1. There are three things communities communities things three are There know:should 59 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Pests and diseases it was discovered onthesouthislandof Didymo isnotfound inAustralia butin2004 as commonly known ‘rock snot’. Fortunately Didymo isahighlyinvasive freshwater algae, Didymo ■ ■ ■ ■ You canhelppreventspread by: further contaminated fishinggearandequipment. introducing Didymointo NSWwaters by using established. Fishers are at ofaccidentally risk impossibleonce ithasbecome is virtually spread between waterways. Eradication gear orboating equipment andcanthen canattach to clothingoffishers,It to fishing stream bedsby attaching to rocks andplants. forms densebrown clumpsandsmothers by justonedrop ofaffected water. Didymo New Zealand. easilyand canbespread very It

[email protected]. NSW DPI to your localcouncil weed officer or suspiciousinfestations Reporting Avoiding infested areas. Learning to recognise water weeds. before leaving thesite. Cleaning boats, trailers andallequipment on 1800 680244 oremail ■ ■ What you do: can

biosecurity Resources website ofAgricultureDepartment and Water Resources on ofAgricultureCall Department and Water for Didymoalgaewhere necessary. (AQIS)Service forandtreatment inspection to theAustralian Quarantine Inspection have inAustralia Didymoalgaeonarrival Zealand to andother countries known have beenusedinfreshwater areas ofNew andcanoeing)that (including for kayaking shoes) andrecreational water equipment lures, waders, wading bootsandfelt-soled equipment (includingfishing rods, lines, Declare allusedfreshwater fishing 45 minutes. soak gearinwashing detergent for five per cent householdbleach. Alternately gearinahotwaterby solutionof soaking bringing your gearhome. This canbedone area to contain known Didymobefore equipment ifyou have beenfishinginan fishinggearand cleananddry Check, for more information. 1800 020505 www.agriculture.gov.au/ orrefer to

Major fishing closures Why do we close areas to fishing? 60 Areas can be closed to fishing for a variety of reasons but mainly to protect fish and fish habitat, to

promote a fair share of the catch among the community or for safety reasons. Areas can be closed fishing closuresMajor permanently or temporarily or at a specific time of year. Fishing restrictions may apply in other areas i.e. certain types of fishing gear may not be permitted for use or certain species may not be allowed to be taken. Closures below and above dams and weirs protect fish where they gather to spawn or migrate. Fishing closures apply to threatened and protected species. It is an offence to take, or attempt to take, harm or possess threatened or protected species (see page 53).

Freshwater fishing closures are summarised in the following tables. The term ‘any methods’ means line fishing (rod or hand line), trapping, netting and bait and invertebrate collection (using

Major fishing closures methods such as hand gathering or digging) for all species is not permitted in the waters specified during the period specified, unless otherwise stated.

Summary of fishing closures for major freshwater fish species The fish species listed in column 1 cannot be taken in waters listed in column 2 during the period specified in column 3.

1. Fish species 2. Closure 3. Period Australian Bass All rivers and estuaries except dams and rivers 1 May to 31 August Estuary Perch above impoundments Note: Catch and release fishing only permitted in the Snowy River Endangered Ecological Community

Australian Grayling All waters All year

Eastern Freshwater Cod All waters All year

Freshwater Catfish All rivers and dams west of the Great Dividing All year NSW Range except the backed up waters of the

following impoundments: Ben Chifley Dam, Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Burrendong Dam, Chaffey Dam, Copeton Dam, Keepit Dam, Pindari Dam, Split Rock Dam, Windamere Dam, Wyangala Dam Macquarie Perch All waters All year

Murray Cod All waters 1 September to 30 November. All waters, except Copeton and Blowering Dams. 61 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Major fishing closures 1. Fish species Murray Crayfish Note: Trout andSalmon Trout Cod Murray Crayfish) Spiny Crayfish (otherthan Silver Perch Two-Spined Blackfish River Blackfishand Some waterways Some may betemporarily fishingmethods (see orpermanentlyclosedto fishing or to certain

2. Closure location ofthesewaters) Trout spawning streams (see these waters) lure streams (see General trout flyand streams, artificial permitted in Talbingo Dam) All waters (catch andrelease fishingis Trout waters Dam, YassDam, Wyangala Windamere Weir Lake Wyangan, Pindari Dam, Dam,SplitRock Jounama Pondage, KeepitDam,LakeAlbert, Dam, GlenniesCreek Dam, Dam,Googong Dam, Chaffey Dam, Copeton Dam,Glenbawn Blowering Dam,Burrendong Dam,Burrinjuck the following impoundments: ChifleyDam, Ben exceptDividing Range thebackedupwaters of Rivers anddamseastwest oftheGreat All waters any Murray Crayfish caught to the water unharmed unspecified waters, you mustimmediately return theopenseasonin the closedseasonorduring incidentally catch Murray Crayfish, eitherduring River. oftheMurrumbidgee is atributary you If the above rivers, except which Creek, OldMan channels orwaterways ofthemainchannels lakes, lagoons, dams, reservoirs, ponds, canals, Note: the Newell Highway road at Tocumwal bridge River from 130below Hume Weir to nearAlbury Berembed Weir and(b) Murray nearGanmain Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagaiand inclusive: Riverbetween the (a)Murrumbidgee between 1Juneand31August eachyear All waters inNSWexcept thefollowing waters The specified waters includealltributaries, page 45 for location of page 45 for 3. Period All year weekend until 30April. long oftheOctober start lure streams applyfrom the flyand Rules for artificial thefollowing30 April year. weekend until midnight Tuesday the Junelong after longweekend.October ofthe toprior thestart weekend to thelastFriday Tuesday theJunelong after All year All year All year All year page 62 ) 62 Major fishing closures NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide and

(Gadopsis bispinosus) (Gadopsis

e weir face at Berembed Berembed at face e weir (Euastacus armatus) (Euastacus (Gadopsis marmoratus) (Gadopsis (Bidyanus bidyanus) bidyanus) (Bidyanus inland waters (except Copeton and and Copeton (except waters inland The specified waters include all tributaries, lakes, lakes, include all tributaries, waters specified The Weir near Ganmain. near Weir Hume Weir 130m below River from Murray road near Albury Highway the Newell to bridge Tocumwal. at Murrumbidgee the Hume River between and 100m Gundagai bridge, road Highway of th upstream whole of the non tidal waters of Jellat Jellat Jellat of Jellat whole of the non tidal waters of the non-tidal waters of the Bega River and of the non-tidal waters the junction from its tributaries with upstream including its source, to Lagoon Creek Bargo Lagoon Creek, and Lagoon and Bargo Bargo the Silver Perch Silver prohibited Perch for Silver fishing methods All the backed except all year, in all inland waters impoundments: of the following up waters Dam, Burrendong Ben Chifley Dam, Blowering Copeton Dam, Dam, Burrinjuck Dam, Chaffey Dam, Glennies Creek Dam, Dam, Glenbawn Jounama Pondage, Weir, GoogongHume Dam, Wyangan, Keepit Dam, Lake Albert, Lake Dam, Windamere Dam, Split Rock Dam, Pindari Weir. Yass Dam and Wyangala – nets Bega (upper reaches) River the use of a net other method involving Any whole in the than a landing net is prohibited Note: channels or canals, ponds, reservoirs, dams, lagoons, except rivers, above of the main channels of the waterways If Old Man Creek, a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River. either during the Crayfish, Murray catch incidentally you closed season or during in unspecified the open season Crayfish Murray any return must immediately you waters, unharmed. the water to caught Blackfish River Blackfish Two-Spined for Blackfish and River fishing methods All in all inland Blackfish prohibited Two-Spined all year. waters each year. Crayfish Murray Crayfish for Murray fishing methods All time other any at waters in any prohibited in (inclusive) June and August than between waters: specified the following (a) (b) in all Dams) during the period from Blowering in (inclusive) November to September (Tandanus tandanus) – tandanus) (Tandanus (Macquaria colonorum) (Macquaria (Macquaria novemaculeata) novemaculeata) (Macquaria (Maccullochella peelii(Maccullochella peelii) The phrase “and its tributaries” means all rivers, all rivers, means its tributaries” “and phrase The the Nymboida River and its tributaries its junction of upstream with, and Creek. Cattle Wild including, Sara River. Sara River and its tributaries the Guy Fawkes its junction of upstream with, but not the Aberfoyle River. including, the Oban River and it tributaries upstream the Oban River and it tributaries upstream the of its junction with, but not including, Murray Cod Cod Murray Cod prohibited for Murray fishing methods All Dam, Windamere Dam and Wyangala Dam. Wyangala Dam and Windamere Dam, Dam, Burrendong Dam, Chaffey Dam, Copeton Copeton Dam, Dam, Chaffey Dam, Burrendong Dam, Split Rock Dam, Keepit Dam, Pindari of the following impoundments: Ben impoundments: Chifley of the following year including the backed waters of western of western the backed waters including year the backed up waters except impoundments, All fishing methods for Freshwater Catfish Catfish Freshwater for fishing methods All all waters flowing in all western prohibited Freshwater Catfish Catfish Freshwater waters flowing western (c) (b) (a) Clarence River during the period from August August River during the period from Clarence the following: October except to (inclusive) fish prohibited in the Mann and its fish prohibited River its junction from with the upstream tributaries, (Maccullochella ikei) ikei) (Maccullochella species of for any fishing methods All Eastern Freshwater Cod – Mann River – Mann River Cod Freshwater Eastern August (inclusive) each year. (inclusive) August enter the backed up waters of any freshwater freshwater of any the backed up waters enter to May during the periodimpoundments from waters of any freshwater impoundments and impoundments freshwater of any waters they where from upstream their tributaries, prohibited in all waters except the backed up except waters in all prohibited immediately returned to the water unharmed) the water to returned immediately is and Estuary Bass Australian Perch for Any method other than by catch and catch method other than by Any are fish caught any fishing (so that release Australian Bass Australian and Estuary Perch dams and weirs are to be measured along the centreline of along the centreline measured be to are dams and weirs unless otherwisethe river stated. Note: and affluents inlets, lagoons, lakes, gullies, streams, creeks, at affected Areas listed. connectingwaters of the channels Waters and fish species fish and closures Waters 63 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Major fishing closures power lineapproximately upstream from 5km River anditstributaries, upstream from the than alandingnetisprohibited intheClarence Any methodinvolving theuseofanetother Clarence River reaches) (upper –nets outlet regulator. 300m downstream oftheBrogo Dam Brogo within River anditstributaries All fishingmethodsprohibited inthe Brogo River –Brogo Dam crossingRussels Bridge to itssource. floodgate located approximately 450mabove Creek upstream anditstributaries from the Stevens Weir. and 70mdownstream from thewe the Edward Riverfrom within80mupstream of All fishingmethods prohibited in that part Edward River –Stevens Weir Bonshaw Weir. within 100mdownstream from theweir face at the Dumaresq Riveranditstributaries, from of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Dumaresq River –Bonshaw Weir fromperiod August (inclusive). to October withthe the junction Tweed the Riverduring downstream from HallDamwall to theClarrie Creek Doon of Doon anditstributaries, All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Creek Doon Doon –Clarrie HallDam Valla upstream to itssource. and itstributaries, from Sullivans Bridge, Road whole ofthenon-tidalwaters Creek ofDeep other thanalandingnetisprohibited inthe Any methodinvolving theuseofanetortrap Deep Creek reaches) (upper –netsandtraps Punchbowl Bridge, Road Bellfield. Cooks River anditstributaries, upstream from in thewholeofnon-tidalwaters ofthe trap otherthanalandingnetisprohibited Any methodinvolving theuseofanetor – netsandtraps Cooks River reaches) (upper Copmanhurst to itssource.

ir face at Iron Pot Creek – Toonumbar Dam its source. Creek to nearMartins Bridge from Gostwyck its source andonthePaterson Riverupstream the railway crossing to bridge at Oakhampton tributaries, ontheHunter Riverupstream from of theHunter andPaterson Riversandtheir prohibited inthewholeofnon-tidalwaters trapother thanalandingnetorshrimp is Any methodinvolving theuseofanetortrap – netsandtraps Hunter andPaterson Rivers reaches) (upper upstream from Liverpool Weir to itssource. waters oftheGeorges Riveranditstributaries, prohibited inthewholeofnon-tidal Any methodinvolving theuseofatrap is Georges River reaches) (upper –traps bankofFrenchman’ssouthern Creek. the centre oftheregulator wall adjoinsthe 100mdownstream bank, ofwheresouthern of theFrenchman’s Creek to apoint onthe where bank theregulator adjoinsthenorthern bank120mdownstream of on thenorthern centre oftheregulator wall andfrom apoint Regulator within100mupstream from the of Frenchman’s Creek at Lake Victoria Inlet All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Frenchman’s Creek –Lake Victoria the weir face ofBrewster Weir (mainweir). the LachlanRiver within100mdownstream of of All fishing methodsprohibited inthat part RiverLachlan –Brewster Weir Jenolan Caves upstream to itssource. powerto thehydro-electric station near tributaries, from thespawning pool adjacent of thewaters oftheJenolanRiverandits All fishingmethodsprohibited inthewhole Jenolan River from August (inclusive). to October Toonumbar DamSpillway theperiod during downstream from thedownstream endofthe of IronPot Creek anditstributaries, 1.225km All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part 64 Major fishing closures NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Any method involving the use of a net other method involving Any whole in the than a landing net is prohibited of the Manning River of the non-tidal waters near Falls Abbotts from and its tributaries, its source. to upstream Wingham channel at Burrendong Dam. Burrendong channel at Weir – South River DubboMacquarie in Macquarie fishing methods prohibited All 75m downstream Weir, SouthRiver at Dubbo face. of the weir Manly – nets and traps Dam the use of a net or trap method involving Any is other than a landing net or shrimp trap of Manly in the whole of the waters prohibited Dam and its tributaries. – nets (upperManning reaches) River Macleay River (upper reaches) – nets (upper reaches) River Macleay of a net other the use method involving Any in the whole of than a landing net is prohibited River and the Macleay of the non-tidal waters Kempsey Falls, Belgrave from its tributaries, its source. to upstream Dam – Burrendong River Macquarie part in that fishing methods prohibited All of the Macquarie River within 185m upstream Dam, 185m Burrendong at face of the weir of the Burrendong of the wall downstream and within the spillway Dam outlet regulator river between two posts on opposite sides of sides on opposite posts two between river its source. to the river Lagoonand traps – nets Longneck trap the use of a net or method involving Any in the a landing net is prohibited other than and Lagoon of Longneck waters whole of the Road. east of Cattai its tributaries, Weir Goondiwindi – River MacIntyre part in that prohibited fishing methods All of the MacIntyre from River and its tributaries, and 150m downstream within 150m upstream Weir. Goondiwindi at face the weir from the waters of the Lane Cove River, upstream upstream River, Cove the Lane of waters the the across line drawn a from Valley Fern from

immediately returned to the water unharmed) the water to returned immediately in the whole of is prohibited or a landing net, Any fishing method, other than by catch and by catch other than fishing method, Any are fish caught any fishing (so that release from Fern Valley from Valley Fern Lane Cove River (upper reaches) – upstream – upstream (upper reaches) River Lane Cove on opposite sides of the river at picnic area picnic area at sides of the river on opposite Valley). number 20 (Fern to a post on the opposite bank upstream to a to bank upstream a post on the opposite to posts two between the river across line drawn from a line drawn from a post at the boatshed the boatshed a post at from a line drawn from from an unpowered vessel is prohibited in the is prohibited vessel an unpowered from River, of the Lane Cove whole of the waters release fishing (so that any fish caught are fish caught any (so that fishing release unharmed) the water to returned immediately reaches) – boatshed to Fern Valley Valley Fern to – boatshed reaches) and by catch other than fishing method, Any Lane Cove River (Lane Cove Weir, upper Weir, (Lane Cove River Lane Cove level bridge. level the Lachlan River within 400m downstream the Lachlan River within 400m downstream the low Dam to Wyangala at face the weir from Lachlan River – Wyangala Dam Wyangala – Lachlan River part in that fishing methods prohibited All of the Lachlan River within 100m downstream of the Lachlan River within 100m downstream Weir. Willandra at face the weir Lachlan River – Willandra Weir Lachlan Weir River – Willandra part in that prohibited fishing methods All of downstream from the weir face at Lake Cargelligo. at face the weir from downstream Lachlan River within 50m upstream and 50m and upstream Lachlan River within 50m Lachlan River – Lake Cargelligo Cargelligo – Lake Lachlan River part in that prohibited fishing methods All of the Brewster outlet regulator. Brewster of the Ballyrogan Channel within 100m Channel within 100m of the Ballyrogan of the Lake wall of the outer downstream All fishing methods prohibited in that part in that prohibited fishing methods All Lachlan River – Lake Brewster Brewster – Lake Lachlan River (Ballyrogan Channel) outlet regulator. the Lachlan River within 100m downstream River within 100m downstream the Lachlan Weir Brewster of the wall of the outer All fishing methods prohibited in that part that in prohibited methods fishing All of Lachlan River – Brewster Weir Weir – Brewster Lachlan River regulator) (outlet 65 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Major fishing closures including Wamban Creek to itssource. with junction Wamban Creek to itssource and Rivers andtheirtributaries, upstream from the the nontidalwaters andDeua oftheMoruya than alandingnetisprohibited inthewholeof Any methodinvolving theuseofanetother – nets Moruya andDeuaRivers reaches) (upper weir face at Moree Weir. 15m upstream and85mdownstream ofthe from Riveranditstributaries within the Mehi of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part RiverMehi –Moree Weir river to a point onthe 120m Victorian bank, the NSWbankin astraight line across the downstream from where the weir wall adjoins wall andfrom a point ontheNSWbank142m 50m upstream from thecentre oftheweir the Murray Riverat Weir within 11(at Mildura) of All fishing methodsprohibited inthat part – Weir and Lock No. 11 Murray River (Mildura) adjoins theNSWbank. 150m downstream ofwhere theweir wall across theriver to apoint ontheNSWbank, wall ofthelockchamberina straight line and from thedownstream endoftheinner 50m upstream from thecentre oftheweir wall the Murray Riverat Weir 9(at Kulnine) within of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Murray River (Kulnine) – Weir andLock No. 9 from theweir face at Hume Weir. the Murray Riverwithin130mdownstream of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Murray River –Hume Weir floodplain at West Albury. of HorseshoeLagoonontheMurray River net, isprohibited inthewholeofwaters returned to thewater oralanding unharmed) (so that any fishcaught are immediately Perch, otherthanby catch andrelease fishing Any fishingmethod Murrayfor Golden Cod or PerchGolden (Macquaria ambigua) Cod and (Maccullochella peelii) peelii Murray –Murray River –HorseshoeLagoon

junction with and including Seven Mile Creek withandincludingSeven Mile junction of theMurray Riveranditstributaries, from its than alandingnetisprohibited inthat part Any methodinvolving theuseofanetother Seven Creek Mile to Tintaldra –nets Murray River (upstream from Hume Weir) – adjoins theNSWbank. 125m downstream ofwhere theweir wall across theriver to apoint ontheNSWbank, inner wall ofthelockchamberinastraight line weir wall andfrom thedownstream endofthe within 50mupstream from thecentre ofthe of theMurray Riverat Weir 7(at RufusRiver) All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part – Weir andLock No. 7 Murray River (RufusRiver) adjoins theNSWbank. 65mdownstreambank, ofwhere theweir wall line across theriver to apoint ontheNSW inner wall ofthelockchamberinastraight weir wall andfrom thedownstream endofthe within 50mupstream from thecentre ofthe of theMurray Riverat Weir 15(at Robinvale) All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part – Weir andLock No. 15 Murray River (Robinvale) Victorian bank. downstream ofwhere theweir wall adjoinsthe wall adjoins the Victorian bank. 150mdownstreambank, ofwhere theweir line across theriver to apoint on the Victorian inner wall ofthelockchamberinastraight weir wall andfrom thedownstream end ofthe within 50mupstream from thecentre ofthe of theMurray Riverat Weir 8(at Wangumma) All fishing methodsprohibited inthat part – Weir and Lock No. 8 Murray River (Wangumma) Torrumbarry Weir. and 100mdownstream from theweir face at of theMurray Riverwithin100mupstream All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Murray River – Torrumbarry Weir to the and itstributaries Tintaldra Bridge. Road 66 Major fishing closures NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide and 80m downstream of the weir face of Yanco Yanco of face of the weir and 80m downstream Weir. Creek Murrumbidgee River – Maude Weir Weir – Maude River Murrumbidgee part in that fishing methods prohibited All of the Murrumbidgee River within 70m upstream at face of the weir and 50m downstream Maude Weir. Weir – Redbank River Murrumbidgee part in that fishing methods prohibited All of the Murrumbidgee River within 93m upstream at face of the weir and 92m downstream Redbank Weir. Weir Yanco – River Murrumbidgee part in that fishing methods prohibited All of the Murrumbidgee River within 63m upstream All fishing methods prohibited in that part in that prohibited fishing methods All of the Murrumbidgee River within 125m of the weir and 65m downstream upstream Weir. Gogeldrie at face Weir – Hay River Murrumbidgee part in that fishing methods prohibited All from Weir of the Murrumbidgee Hay River at wall the weir where from within 74m upstream adjoins the northern bank and 140m upstream adjoins the southern wall the weir where from of within 154m downstream bank and from Weir. Hay at face the weir of the Murrumbidgeeof the within 100m River weir of the and 50m downstream upstream the waters excluding Weir, Berembed at face of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation main Area take. channel off Dam – Burrinjuck River Murrumbidgee part in that prohibited fishing methods All of the Murrumbidgee River within 640m in line with face the weir from downstream at station 1 power end of the No. the western Burrinjuck Dam. Weir – Gogeldrie River Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee River – Berembed Weir Weir – Berembed River Murrumbidgee part that in prohibited methods fishing All Balranald Weir. Balranald the Murrumbidgee River within 94m upstream the Murrumbidgee River within 94m upstream at face the weir from and 63m downstream Murrumbidgee River – Balranald Weir Weir – Balranald River Murrumbidgee part in that fishing methods prohibited All of Highway Bridge at Tocumwal. Bridge at Highway Yarrawonga Weir downstream to the Newell the Newell to downstream Weir Yarrawonga trap, is prohibited in the whole of the waters the waters in the whole of is prohibited trap, from tributaries, River and its of the Murray Any method involving the use of a net or trap, the use of a net or trap, method involving Any landing net or shrimpother than a hoop net, Murray River – Yarrawonga Weir to to Weir Yarrawonga – River Murray – nets and traps Tocumwal Yarrawonga Weir downstream to the Newell the Newell to downstream Weir Yarrawonga Tocumwal. Bridge at Highway (inclusive) in the whole of the waters of the in the whole of the waters (inclusive) the River and its tributariesMurray from All fishing methods for any species of fish for any fishing methods All November September to from prohibited Tocumwal Tocumwal Murray River – Yarrawonga Weir to to Weir Yarrawonga – River Murray downstream from where the weir wall adjoins wall the weir where from downstream the Victorian bank. the NSW bank, in a straight line across the the NSW bank, line across in a straight bank,Victorian 130m on the a point to river downstream from where the weir wall adjoins wall the weir where from downstream upstream of the weir wall at Yarrawonga Weir Weir Yarrawonga at wall of the weir upstream NSW bank 150m on the a point and from All fishing methods prohibited in that in that prohibited fishing methods All within 50m from part River, Murray of the Murray River – Yarrawonga Weir Weir Yarrawonga – River Murray the Victorian the Victorian bank. the river to a point on the Victorian bank,Victorian 65m on the a point to the river adjoins wall the weir where from downstream weir wall and from the downstream end of downstream the from and wall weir line across in a straight wall the lock training the Murray River at Weir 10 (at Wentworth) Wentworth) 10 (at Weir at River the Murray of the the centre from upstream within 50m All fishing methods prohibited in that part that in prohibited methods fishing All of Murray River (Wentworth) (Wentworth) River Murray 10 No. Lock and Weir – 67 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Major fishing closures River and Warrell Creek andtheirtributaries, of thenon-tidalwaters oftheNambucca than alandingnetisprohibited inthewhole Any methodinvolving theuseofanetother reaches) –weekend netting Nambucca River and Warrell Creek (upper where theweir wallbank. adjoinsthesouthern bankand93mdownstream from the northern downstream from where theweir wall adjoins to thelow level crossing located 53m of the Yanco Creek Weir face anddownstream Riverwithin73mupstreamthe Murrumbidgee of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Murrumbidgee River – Yanco Creek Weir Bridge crossingBridge nearAgnes Banks. its tributaries, upstream from the Yarramundi the non-tidalwaters oftheNepean Riverand than alandingnetisprohibited inthewholeof Any methodinvolving theuseofanetother Nepean River –nets Park, Manilla. weir face at theupperweir adjacent to Chaffey 50m upstream and50mdownstream from the the NamoiRiveranditstributaries, from within of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Namoi River –Manilla Weir Lake Keepit. within 150mdownstream from theweir face at of theNamoiRiveranditstributaries, from All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Namoi River –Lake Keepit that isapublicholiday. to 6pmonany weekday (otherthanaMonday) Monday ifMonday isapublicholiday and6am Friday to 6pmSunday orto ineachweek, 6pm to itssource, from theperiod during 6pm Creek Lane(Warrell arm) atBridge Cockburns (Taylors andthePacific Arm) Highway Road Bridge (Nambucca Boat Harbour Riverarm), upstream from LanesBridge, Bowraville upstream to itssource. and itstributaries, from Bridge BoatHarbour whole ofthenontidalwaters River oftheRous other thanalandingnetisprohibited inthe Any methodinvolving theuseofanetortrap Rous River reaches) (upper –netsandtraps Jabour Weir. 200m downstream from theweir face at Riverwithin50mupstreamRichmond and of theweir), ofthe isprohibited inthat part or assoonpossiblewithin50mupstream immediately returned to thewater unharmed release fishing(sothat any fishcaught are Any fishingmethod, otherthan by catch and River –Jabour Richmond Weir to itssource. its tributaries, upstream from Bawden Bridge of thenon-tidalwaters oftheOrara River and than alandingnetisprohibited inthewhole Any methodinvolving theuseofanetother Orara River reaches) (upper –nets Penrith Weir. and 26mdownstream from theweir face at of theNepeanRiverwithin115mupstream All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part Nepean River –Penrith Weir Point Lookout road crossing. Fallsthe Serpentine to theweir above the Riverand itstributaries, fromthe Serpentine of All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat part – L.P. Dutton Trout Hatchery RiverSerpentine regulator wall. 100m downstream from thecentre ofthe outlet regulator within100mupstream and oftheRufusRiver at theLake part Victoria All fishingmethodsprohibited inthat Rufus River –Lake Victoria

68 Major fishing closures NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide than a landing net is prohibited in the whole of than a landing net is prohibited and River Wonboyn of the the non-tidal waters its junction from with upstream its tributaries, Watergums and including Creek Watergums of and the whole of the non tidal waters Creek (north arms)Bull Creek upstream and western River. Wonboyn their junctionsfrom with – nets (upper reaches) River Woronora the use of a net other method involving Any in the whole of than a landing net is prohibited River and Woronora of the the non-tidal waters at the causeway from upstream its tributaries, Ridge its source. Barden to of Sabugal, Pass waters of Warrell Creek and its tributaries, tributaries, and its Creek Warrell of waters Bridgeat Road Highway the Pacific from Cockburns arm) Lane (Warrell upstream Creek source. its to – nets (upper reaches) River Williams the use of a net other method involving Any in the whole than a landing net is prohibited River Williams of the of the non-tidal waters upstream Weir Seaham from and its tributaries, its source. to (upper) – nets River Wonboyn the use of a net other method involving Any from the Bray Park Weir wall to its source to wall Weir Park Bray the from – nets (upper reaches) River Wallamba the use of a net other method involving Any in the whole of net is prohibited than a landing River and Wallamba of the waters the non-tidal Clarksons at the causeway from its tributaries, its source. to Nabiac upstream Crossing, (upper reaches) Creek Warrell – nets and traps of a net or the use method involving Any than a landing net or shrimp other trap trap the whole of the non-tidal in is prohibited prohibited in the whole of the non-tidal waters waters non-tidal of the the whole in prohibited upstream tributaries, and its River Tweed of the Any method involving the use of a net or trap the use of a net or trap method involving Any is other than a landing net or shrimp trap Tweed River (Bray Park Weir upper reaches) upper reaches) Weir Park (Bray River Tweed – nets and traps from the Jounama Dam spillway gates at at gates Dam spillway the Jounama from Jounama Dam. All fishing methods prohibited in that part in that fishing methods prohibited All River within 800m downstream Tumut of the Tumut River – Jounama Dam River Tumut running waters. running waters. of the waters of Blowering Dam, upstream Dam, upstream of Blowering of the waters of the confluence of the dam to the face from Any method involving the use of a net other method involving Any in the whole than a landing net is prohibited Tumut River – Blowering Dam – nets – Blowering River Tumut Blowering Dam. Blowering of the Tumut River within 250m downstream River within 250m downstream Tumut of the at station Dam power the Blowering from Tumut River – Blowering Dam – Blowering River Tumut part in that fishing methods prohibited All Bridge, Kiah.Bridge, its tributaries, upstream from the Jack Seiffert from upstream its tributaries, than a landing net is prohibited in the whole of than a landing net is prohibited River and Towamba of the the non tidal waters Towamba River (upper) – nets River Towamba of a net other the use method involving Any to 2.4kmto upstream. the upstream end of Paddy’s Corner Reserve Corner end of Paddy’s the upstream All fishing methods prohibited in that part in that prohibited fishing methods All from River and its tributaries, Thredbo of the Thredbo River – Gaden River Hatchery Thredbo 120m downstream from the weir face at at face the weir from 120m downstream Khancoban Pondage. part of the Swampy Plain River within part Plain Swampy of the Swampy Plain River – Khancoban Pondage Pondage – Khancoban Plain River Swampy in that fishing methods prohibited All opposite banks of the river. banks opposite Dam wall downstream for 300m to a line a line 300m to for downstream Dam wall posts on two between the river across drawn of the Shoalhaven River from the Tallowa Tallowa the River from Shoalhaven of the Shoalhaven River – Tallowa Dam Dam Tallowa – River Shoalhaven part that in prohibited methods fishing All 69 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fisheries officers in boats, aircraft andonfoot, justabout officers atboat ramps, rivers, onbeachesand dams, seven days aweek. You willseefisheries waters plusourinlandrivers, streams and including coastal estuaries, lakesandoffshore state’s protected fishingandmarine area laws. waters to ensure isabidingby everyone the estate andpatrol rulesandrestrictions NSW general onfishingandmarine community recreational andcommercial fishersandthe and sustainableinto thefuture. They advise helping ourfisheries resources remain healthy Fisheries officers have rolein animportant Fisheries officers and baitrequire information certain examine your fishinggear, your fish inspect them to stop andsearch your boat andvehicle, officersfisheries have powers whichenable andtipsforlocal knowledge agiven area. keen fishersandare happy to provide you with programs. officersadvisory fisheries Most are issuesandeducation and with conservation andaquatic parks reserves,in marine assist They alsoprovide education andenforcement fishers, fishfarmers, fishshopsand restaurants. deal withrecreational fishers, commercial there areeverywhere fishandfishers. They Under theFisheries 1994 Act Management Fisheries officers patrol our waterways future generations. will behealthy fisheries for theenjoyment of ensure therulesare beingadhered to sothere anddeter illegalactivity.detect time inthefieldwithbetter equipment to This results inmore officers fisheries spending officers throughout thestate. compliance andemploys additionalfisheries to improving saltandfreshwater fisheries ofupto 10yearsa penalty imprisonment. offences fisheries of imprisonment. Some carry have maximumfinesup to $22,000and terms a magistrate. offences fisheries serious Most andhaveface court thematter determined by matters serious you$2500. In may have to notice ranginga penalty between $100to you may beissuedwithawritten cautionor boats andvehicles andcanmakeanarrest. matters theycanalsoseize fish,fishinggear, from thewater serious forIn theirinspection. such asfishinglines, hoop nets andcrab traps also require you any to lift setfishinggear including your nameandaddress. They can Remember thatofficersRemember fisheries arethere to Your recreational fishing fee contributes youIf are found rules, thefisheries breaking

Fisheries officers 70 Contact details NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 0419 185 532 0417 480 933 0427 897 145 0408 484 299 0408 220 875 0419 185 548 0427 429 579 0438 410 585 0427 460 226 Mobile 02 6721 9845 02 6763 1132 03 5881 9928 02 6941 1404 02 6331 1428 02 6051 7763 03 5019 8408 02 6881 1208 02 6451 3402 Office Type of activity. of activity. Type of activity. location and date Time, identity if people involved, Number of known and descriptions. or cars boats of any numbers Registration descriptions. and their involved and contact name details to own Your reportfurther your and substantiate information. up with follow you provide Where information is given in good faith, given is information Where

confidential. Where an immediate response an immediate Where confidential. conductingis not possible due to other considerations, safety or for operations in will be used received information surveillance ongoing targeting and activities. enforcement ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Reporting illegal fishing can be done available app within the FishSmart from smartphones.for as details will be treated all identifying When lodging any report be prepared to to report any be prepared lodging When information: the following provide

4 Marsden Park Road, Calala 2340 Calala Road, 4 Marsden Park Deniliquin 2710 Street, 449 Charlotte 2720 Tumut Street, 64 Fitzroy Cnr Hampden and Cobra Streets, Dubbo 2830 Streets, and Cobra Hampden Cnr 2627 Jindabyne Kosciusko Road, NSW 2360 Inverell 7023 Gwydir Highway, Research Station Drive, Bathurst 2795 Bathurst Drive, Station Research 5/620 Macauley Albury St, 2640 and Advisory Research Station, Agricultural 2717 Dareton Highway, Silver City or report at online

Fisheries officers in the identified area will the identified in officers Fisheries Report activity illegal as soon as you Slopes Riverina South West Research Station Research Peel Monaro Inverell Far West Far Macquarie Hume Central Central Tablelands Region Inland offices be immediately notified of all illegal fishing notified of all illegal be immediately reports, including those made after hours. fisheries officer. to record a message and this will be sent to a to a message and this will be sent record to After hours calls are received by an interactive interactive an by received are hours calls After callers which allows system response voice suspect it is happening, even after hours. after hours. even suspectit is happening, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/compliance/ report-illegal-activity. 1800 043 536 If you want to report to or suspect illegal want If you on Watch Fishers activityfishing call the Contact details Contact

Contact details 71 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Contact details Coastal offices South CoastSouth Illawarra/Shoalhaven Sydney Metropolitan andCentral coast CoastNorth Far Coast North Hastings Coffs Harbour Clarence Institute Industries Wollongbar Primary Tweed Far Coast South Montague Batemans Bay Shoalhaven Illawarra Sydney South Sydney North Central Coast Hunter Port Stephens Wallis Lake 13 Cocora Street, Eden 2551 Riverside Drive, Narooma 2546 and OrientStreet, Batemans Bay 2536 Suite 8,Braysyth Building, Road Cnr Beach 4 Woollamia 2540 Road, Huskisson 2/91 Foreshore Road, Port Kembla2505 1 Water Street, 2219 Souci Sans Road,12 Shirley Wollstonecraft 2065 2258 Road, Ourimbah Northloop 55 Lambton Parade, Swansea 2281 Taylors Road, Beach Taylors 2316 Beach 2 Palm Street, Tuncurry 2428 3/22-24 Acacia Avenue, 2444 Port Macquarie Drive,32 Marina Coffs 2450 Jetty Harbour 18A River Street, 2463 Maclean 1243 BruxnerHighway, Wollongbar 2477 10/12 Greenway Drive, Tweed Heads2486 Office 02 66450500 02 66261200 07 55236900 02 64968200 02 44760100 02 44789100 02 44283400 02 42208499 02 95296021 02 84374903 02 43288618 02 49809206 02 49163934 02 65916300 02 55240600 02 66523977 Mobile 0419 185533 0417 692608 0419 185537 0428 899876 0409 316508 0427 855008 0419 185557 0439 162981 0408 601951 0419 185363 0419 185517 0419 185516 0427 497341 0428 546078 0407 957631 0419 185536 72 Contact details NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 02 4916 3970 02 4428 3000 02 4476 0802 02 6620 9308 02 6691 0600 02 6563 2359 Office

(free call). (free or check the website or check the website to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on Phoneline Watch the Fishers to report illegal or suspected fishing For general fishing information call fishing information general For 1300 550 474 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries Please activities 1800 043 536 . Tallow Beach Road, Byron Bay 2481 Bay Byron Beach Road, Tallow Harbour 2450 Coffs 32 Marina Drive, 2898 Island Howe Lord Road, Anderson Beach 2316 Taylors Beach Road, Taylors Huskisson Road, 2540 Woollamia 4 Street, & Burrawang Graham Cnr 2546 Narooma 1800 043 536 131 555. Jervis Marine Bay Park Marine Park Batemans Lord Howe Island Marine Park Howe Lord Lakes Marine Stephens-Great Park Port Solitary Marine Islands Park Cape Byron Marine Byron Park Cape Marine parks NSW DPI fisheries office locations NSW DPI fisheries office event contact the Environment Protection Protection contact the Environment event Authority on Fishers Watch Phoneline on Phoneline Watch Fishers If the fish to a suspectedkill is due pollution local NSW DPI fisheries office or the NSW DPI local NSW DPI fisheries office Fish kills Fish kills in the wild should be reported your to Fish Marine park offices Marine park TFNSW0190_Boat_LJ_A5_FP.indd 1 Visit lifejacketwearit.com.au to see the new generation styles. generation new the see to lifejacketwearit.com.au Visit life. your save could alifejacket way. the Wearing in getting it without day all one to wear able be you’ll styles, lifejacket inflatable modern With boating. while happen do accidents is, reality The 73 WEAR ALIFEJACKET WEAR NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Contact details LIFEJACK A WEAR WHILE BOATINGWHILE DIDN’T DROWNED WHO PEOPLE 10 OF 9 OUT IT NEVER RUINED A DAYNEVER WATER IT THE ON ET

3/12/14 11:05 AM 74 A diary for your catch records NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Date Location 75 Date Catch Comments

Location

Date Catch Comments

A diary for your catch records catch A diary your for Location

Date Catch Comments

Location

Date Catch Comments

Location

Date Catch Comments

Location Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Fishing Freshwater Recreational NSW NSW 76 A diary for your catch records NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Date Location 77 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide A diary for your catch records Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments 78 A diary for your catch records NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Date Location 79 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide A diary for your catch records Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments 80 A diary for your catch records NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Date Location 81 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide A diary for your catch records Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Location Date Catch Catch Catch Catch Catch Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Freshwater species bag and size limits summary 82

Freshwater bag and size species limits summary Species Legal length Bag limit Possession limit Freshwater bag and size species limits summary Australian Bass and None 2 in total (one or more 4 in total (one or more Estuary Perch Closed season applies in species of Bass or species of Bass or Perch, rivers, excluding rivers Perch, only 1 over 35cm only 1 over 35cm in above impoundments in rivers)* rivers)* Eels: Southern 30cm Southern Shortfin 10 10 Shortfin or Longfin 58cm Longfin Freshwater Catfish 30cm in eastern dams, 5 in eastern dams and 10 in eastern dams and (Eel-tailed) listed western dams and listed western dams, 2 in listed western dams, 4 eastern rivers eastern rivers in eastern rivers Cannot be taken in any other waters Golden Perch 30cm 5 10 Murray Cod Min. 55cm, Max. 75cm 2 4 Closed season applies (except Copeton and Blowering Dams) Silver Perch 25cm in listed stocked 5 in listed stocked dams 10 in listed stocked dams. Cannot be taken dams in any other waters Other native finfish – A maximum limit of 10 A maximum limit of 10 in total applies in total applies Murray Crayfish Min. 10cm, Max. 12cm 2 4 Cannot be taken other than between June and August in parts of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers Other Spiny Crayfish 9cm (one or more species) (one or more species) Cannot be taken in 5 (only 1 over 12cm) 10 (only 1 over 12cm) trout waters** Yabbies: freshwater None 200 in total 200 in total Trout and Atlantic Trout spawning (one or more species of (one or more species Salmon streams 50cm Trout or Salmon) 1 in of Trout or Salmon)

All other waters 25cm Trout spawning streams; 2 in Trout spawning NSW 2 in artificial fly and streams; 4 in artificial fly Closed season applies in lure streams; 5 in all and lure streams; 10 in Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide artificial fly and lure and other waters all other waters general trout streams Explanation of terms Legal length: The minimum length of a fish unless otherwise unless otherwise stated. The possession limit also applies stated. A fish which does not reach this minimum length must to the transport and storage of fish but does not apply to be immediately returned to the water with minimal possible the purchase of fish from a registered fish receiver such as harm. Some species have maximum length restrictions to a fish shop. protect larger breeding males or females. Closures: Closures apply to certain species or waters at Bag limit: The maximum number of fish taken per person various times to protect fish during their breeding period. per day. Possession limit: the maximum number of fish per person * Note: Catch and release fishing is permitted only in the if you have been fishing for more than one day. One day Snowy River Endangered and Ecological Community. is equal to the 24 hour period from midnight to midnight. ** Note: The Fitzroy Falls Spiny Crayfish is totally protected For freshwater fishing it is equal to twice the daily bag limit and cannot be taken from any waters.