Wallis Lake Recreational Fishing Guide Fisheries Compliance Unit collecting and prawn netting or when in possession of fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters. May 2016 All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing Fishing is a fun, outdoor activity for the whole fee is spent on improving recreational fishing in family. Fishing rules help ensure healthy and NSW. Projects include: sustainable fisheries for future generations. • building artificial reefs to create new fishing The waterways of the Wallis Lake district provide locations; excellent beach, rock, and boat fishing opportunities. This guide provides essential • fish aggregating devices (FADs) to enhance information on fishing, including any closures and fishing for dolphinfish and even tuna and restrictions, which apply within Wallis Lake region marlin; comprising Wallis and Smiths Lakes estuaries, • creation of recreational fishing havens; Khappinghat Creek, the Manning River and its tributaries, Crowdy Head, and the offshore waters • angler facilities such as fish cleaning tables between Seal Rocks and Diamond Head. and fishing platforms; The Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park • stocking of freshwater fish in dams and rivers; covers an area of ocean waters within the Wallis • Lake region between Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving essential research on popular recreational fish Club and Seal Rocks, offshore to the 3 nautical species; mile limit of state waters. It also covers the • restoring important fish habitat; estuarine waters of Smiths Lake and it’s tributaries. For further information on marine park rules and • marine stocking of prawns in estuaries; zoning see www.mpa.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) • angler education and advisory programs such 4916 3970. as the Fishcare Volunteer program, fishing workshops, Get Hooked…it's fun to fish DPI fisheries officers routinely patrol waterways, primary schools education and fishing guides. boat ramps and foreshores to advise anglers about responsible fishing practices and to ensure Much more information is available at compliance with NSW fishing regulations. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries. Information on bag and size limits and legal fishing You can pay the NSW recreational fishing fee at gear can be obtained at www.onegov.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries or by visiting your 365 or at many outlets throughout NSW, such as local DPI fisheries office. most fishing tackle stores, caravan parks, local To report suspected illegal fishing activity, call the shops, service stations and many Kmart stores. Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 (free Some exemptions apply to paying the fishing fee, call) or on-line at: including people under the age of 18, holders of www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report- pensioner concession cards and Aboriginal people. illegal-activity. All calls will be treated as For further information on exemptions go to confidential and you can remain anonymous. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4424 7499. RECREATIONAL FISHING FEE You may not need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee if you are fishing on a charter boat, hire When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and boat or under the supervision of a fishing guide. saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW Please check with the charter/hire boat operator, or recreational fishing fee and carry a receipt showing guide, before you go fishing. If they do not hold a the payment of the fee. This applies when spear recreational fishing fee exemption certificate you fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait will need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Wallis Lake Recreational Fishing Guide RECREATIONAL FISHING southwesterly to the northern foreshore at a point 32°10.97′S, 152°29.88′E; then by a line drawn CLOSURES generally southerly to the northern foreshore at a A number of fishing closures exist in the Wallis point 32°11.27′S, 152°29.89′E; then by a line Lake area. These exist for a variety of reasons, drawn generally southeasterly to the southwestern from public health and safety to preserving unique foreshore of Godwin Island at a point 32°11.56′S, aquatic environments. The majority of these 152°29.99′E; then by the northern foreshore of that closures are signposted and penalties apply for not island northeasterly to the northernmost point; then complying with fisheries rules and regulations. by a line drawn generally northeasterly to the western prolongation of the southern boundary of General fishing closures section 27, Village of Forster; then by that foreshore generally northerly to the southern All NSW waters. During the period May to August (inclusive) each year Australian Bass and Estuary breakwater; by that breakwater to its eastern Perch can only be taken by catch and release extremity and by a line across the entrance to the fishing in any NSW waters except impoundments point of commencement. and the waters of rivers above impoundments. Manning River (Figure 2). The following waters are closed to nets of every description, other than Recreational netting and trapping the landing net: the whole of the tidal waters of Wallis Lake (Figure 1). The following waters are Manning River and its tributaries, from a line drawn closed to any method involving the use of hoop or across the river at the junction of Cedar Party lift net, hand-hauled prawn net, push or scissors Creek, including that creek upstream to Abbotts net (prawns), crab trap or lobster trap: the whole of Falls near Wingham. the tidal waters within the following boundaries: Manning River (Upper Reaches). The following commencing at the entrance to Wallis Lake at the waters are closed to any method involving the use eastern extremity of the northern breakwater; and of a net, other than a landing net: the whole of the bounded by that breakwater and a part of the non-tidal waters of Manning River and its foreshores of the Village of Tuncurry generally tributaries, from Abbotts Falls near Wingham southerly to the southerly prolongation of the upstream to its source. western side of Wharf Street; then by a line drawn Figure 1. Wallis Lake 2 NSW Department of Primary Industries, May 2016 Wallis Lake Recreational Fishing Guide Wallis Lake (Forster Keys Canal Estate) (Figure southern breakwater to the westernmost extremity 3). The following waters are closed to any method of the northern breakwater, that part of the South involving the use of a net, other than a dip or Pacific Ocean extending 100 metres in a westerly scoop net (prawns), a hoop or lift net or a landing direction from the abovementioned line, and that net: the whole of the canal waters of Forster Keys part of the South Pacific Ocean extending 100 Estate, adjacent to (but not including) Pipers metres on the seaward side of the breakwaters of Creek, contained within a line drawn across the Crowdy Head boat harbour from the beginning of entrance to Wyuna Canal, a line drawn from the the breakwaters to their extremities. southwest corner of Lot No 1 Wyuna Place to the Wallamba River. The following waters are closed northwest corner of Lot No 87 Elouera Crescent to any method involving the use of a net, other and a line from the southeast corner of Lot No 160 than a landing net: the whole of the waters of Elizabeth Parade to the southwest corner of Lot No Wallamba River and its tributaries, upstream to its 116 Sirius Key. source from the Pacific Highway bridge at Nabiac. Crowdy Head Boat Harbour (Figure 4). The Wallamba River (Upper Reaches). The following following waters are closed to any method of taking waters are closed to any method involving the use rock lobster and are also closed to any method of a net, other than a landing net: the whole of the involving the use of a trap or a hoop or lift net: the non-tidal waters of Wallamba River and its whole of the waters of Crowdy Head boat harbour tributaries, from the causeway at Clarksons and the adjoining South Pacific Ocean up to a line Crossing, Nabiac upstream to its source. drawn from the northernmost extremity of the Figure 2. Manning River 3 NSW Department of Primary Industries, May 2016 Wallis Lake Recreational Fishing Guide Spearfishing and diving 32°10.97′S, 152°29.88′E; then by a line drawn generally southerly to the northern foreshore at a Spearfishing in NSW is a popular form of point 32°11.27′S, 152°29.89′E; then by a line recreational fishing and has been recognised for its drawn generally southeasterly to the southwestern selective fishing practices. Spearfishers and divers foreshore of Godwin Island at a point 32°11.56′S, are permitted to use: 152°29.99′E; then by the northern foreshore of that • a snorkel when taking fish; island northeasterly to the northernmost point; then by a line drawn generally northeasterly to the • SCUBA and hookah apparatus for scallops western prolongation of the southern boundary of and sea urchins only; and section 27, Village of Forster; then by that • bare/gloved hand only when taking lobsters. foreshore generally northerly to the southern breakwater; by that breakwater to its eastern Spearfishers and divers are not permitted to use: extremity and by a line across the entrance to the • a light with a spear/spear-gun; point of commencement. • a spear/spear-gun to take blue, brown or red Manning River (Figure 5). The whole of the tidal groper or any protected fish; waters of that part of the Manning River at Harrington within the following boundaries: • powerheads and/or explosive devices. commencing at the southwestern extremity of the Spearfishing is prohibited in freshwater as well as northern training wall and bounded by a line west many entrances, coastal lagoons and other tidal to the northwestern bank of Manning River, by the waters.