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DPI6646_NOV07 Contents D

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About this guide 4 hand-hauled yabby net 20 Message from the minister 6 dams and weirs 22 NSW recreational fishing fee 8 Useful knots, rigs and bait 24 interstate and overseas visitors 8 How to weigh your fish with a ruler 27 how much is the fee? 8 Freshwater fishing enclosures 28 where do I pay the fee? 8 Why do we close areas to fishing? 32 Where do my fishing fees go? 9 Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala 32 recereational fishing trusts 9 Catch and release fishing 33 expenditure committee 10 Major native freshwater fishing species 34 fish stocking 12 Crayfish 37 more fisheries officers on patrol 12 Trout and salmon fishing 38 essential recreational research fishing rules for trout and salmon 38 and monitoring 12 notified trout waters 40 watch out for fishcare volunteers 12 classifications 46 more facilities for fishers 12 closed waters 46 fishing workshops 14 illegal fishing methods 47 tell us where you would like fees spent 14 trout and salmon fishing species 48 Freshwater legal lengths 15 Fish hatcheries and fish stocking 50 Bag and possession limits 15 native fish stocking programs 50 explanation of terms 15 trout and salmon 53 measuring a fish 15 fish stocking policy 54 measuring a Murray cray 15 hatchery tours 54 why have bag and size limits? 15 Threatened and protected species 55 bag and size limits for native species 16 Conserving aquatic habitat 58 General fishing 17 department initiatives 58 fishing access 17 what can fishers do? 59 recereational fishing guides 17 report illegal activities 61 traps and nets 17 Pest species 61 Murray river 17 Fishcare volunteer program 63 fishing lines 17 Take a kid fishing! 63 illegal fishing methods 17 Fisheries officers 64 yabby traps 18 Consuming your catch 65 shrimp traps 20 Inland offices and contact details 67 hoop net or lift net 20

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 3 E About this guide

This freshwater recreational fishing guide is produced by NSW Department Copyright of Primary Industries, PO Box 21 Cronulla NSW 2230. It is funded from the No material matter in this freshwater fishing trust as part of our commitment to providing recreational publication may be reproduced, anglers with comprehensive, user-friendly information. stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by A saltwater recreational fishing guide is also available. electronic or mechanical means, photocopying or recording, without Website the written permission of NSW Detailed information is also available on many aspects of fishing activities Department of Primary Industries. through the website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Design and Artwork General disclaimer Parkhouse Pty Ltd This publication may provide assistance or information but NSW Department (03) 9427 7866 of Primary Industries and its employees do not guarantee the publication is Advertising Sales without flaw or is wholly appropriate for any particular purposes and therefore Geoff Slattery Publishing disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequences which may arise (03) 9627 2600 from relying on any information in this publication. This publication is a guide only, it does not replace the Fisheries Acknowledgements Management Act (1994) or other acts and statutory rules applying to, or Photographs Phil Bolton, Heath affecting recreational fishing. It is a summary of laws and regulations at the Folpp, Jack Hannan, Rudie Kuiter, time of publication and cannot be used as a defence in a court of law. Ian Lyall, Alistair McBurnie, Recreational fishing regulations may change during the life of this Gunther Schmida publication. It is the responsibility of fishers to ensure they are acting within Maps John Matthews, Dan Breen the law at all times. Check regulations with your local NSW DPI fisheries Illustrations Alan Hancock; Jack office or www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Hannan; Pat Tully; Geoff Wilson. Appreciation is also extended to Advertising disclaimer other contributors who may not be NSW Department of Primary Industries acknowledges contributions made listed above. by private enterprise. Acceptance of these contributions does not, however Copyright © State of New South endorse or imply endorsement by the department of any product or service Wales through NSW Department offered by the contributors. of Primary Industries, 2007 DPI7727_SEP07

4 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E Message from the minister

Message from the Minister

Welcome to the 2008 edition also provided fishing opportunities for disabled of the NSW Recreational individuals and people from a variety of cultures Freshwater Fishing Guide. and non-English speaking communities. It is very pleasing to note Other significant projects which continue to that during the past 12 be funded by fishing fee revenue include the months the NSW Government highly successful fish production and stocking and the recreational fishing programs for both native finfish as well as trout community have continued and salmonid species. The state-wide stocking working in close association towards the programs along with the popular, community- fundamental goals of creating and maintaining based dollar-for-dollar native fish stocking sustainable fisheries. program have once again helped to ensure In particular, continued freshwater fisher bumper seasons continue. support for the recreational fishing fee has once Other on-going programs include the again provided the source of funds to maintenance of five inland fisheries officers to underwrite on-going programs in a variety of help ensure compliance with fishing laws and a research, safety, habitat, stocking, tagging, tournament management program designed to education and communication activities. In develop a code of practice promoting addition the recreational fishing trusts, responsible fishing practices for competition supervised by angler committees have also fishing. provided significant funds to initiate a number of Two new projects scheduled to commence worthwhile new projects. during 2008 are worthy of mention. The first, Notable among recent developments has Get Hooked its fun to fish, aims to equip been the introduction of a range of new children in years three to six with the basic skills freshwater fishing rules along with new bag and necessary for safe and responsible recreational size limits for a number of species. The changes fishing. Students will learn about marine fishing came into effect in early September 2007 through an exciting interactive program. following a comprehensive review of Recreational fishers with a particular interest recreational fishing regulations and an extensive in conservation type activities will be pleased to community consultation process. learn that the second new project is a two year In essence, the changes reflect feedback research program which aims to restore the from the recreational fishing community which viability of catfish populations in the Murray- indicated general support for more conservative Darling basin. This research project is quite bag limits. Complete details of the new rules timely as the species is now one of the rarest and bag limits are contained in this guide which native fish in many waterways such as the has once again been produced and distributed Murray, Murrumbidgee and Lachlan catchments. free of charge to fishers using fishing trust In the year ahead the NSW Government will funds. continue to work with the recreational fishing I extend thanks to the many participants in community towards achieving a beautiful, fishers education activities such as the Fishcare healthy marine environment which can be Volunteer program for their time, skill and managed and enjoyed by everyone for all time. enthusiasm which has been applied across a Best wishes for satisfying and safe fishing. range of organised activities such as fishing workshops, community fishing events and surveys. Their important face to face efforts in educating fishers about the rules and values of safe, responsible fishing practices and helping to care for the environment is greatly appreciated. The Hon. Ian Macdonald, MLC Once again fishing workshops have Minister for Natural Resources continued to provide an enjoyable education Minister for Primary Industries experience and in the process successfully Minister for Mineral Resources promoted responsible fishing practices to Minister for State Development children and their families. The workshops have

6 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E NSW recreational fishing fee

NSW recreational C Recreational fishers must have these cards in their possession to be fishing fee exempt. When you are fishing in NSW waters, both Please note that senior's cards, health fresh and saltwater, you are required by care cards and repatriation health cards do law to carry a receipt showing the not exempt you from paying the NSW payment of the NSW recreational fishing recreational fishing fee. fee. This also applies when spear fishing, This information is current at time of hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait printing but fisheries regulations may collecting and prawn netting or when in change. It is the responsibility of fishers to possession of fishing gear in, on or ensure they are acting within the law at all adjacent to waters. There are some times. exemptions, which include: If unsure whether you need to pay E Persons under the age of 18. the NSW recreational fishing fee, call E An adult assisting persons under the 1300 550 474 or check website at age of 18 to take a fish using a single www.dpi.nsw.gov.au rod or to take prawns using a single dip or scoop net. Interstate and overseas visitors E A person fishing in a private dam with Recreational fishing licences issued by a surface area of two hectares or less. other states, territories or countries are E An aboriginal person fishing in not valid for fishing in NSW waters. All freshwater; or, when fishing in visitors must pay the NSW recreational saltwater, an aboriginal person who is fishing fee and have the receipt in their a party to a registered native title possession unless exempt. claim, or is taking part in a traditional cultural activity as a member of your How much is the fee? local land council, or in the company of You can pay the fee to suit your needs. a member of the local land council. Fees are $6 for 3 days, $12 for 1 month, E The holder of: $30 for 1 year and $75 for 3 years. If you C A current commonwealth pensioner go fishing aboard a charter vessel or with a concession card issued by fishing guide, you may find that your Centrelink. skipper or guide holds an exemption C A current commonwealth pensioner certificate which covers you as well. concession card issued by the Always check with your charter boat Department of Veteran’s Affairs. operator or guide to find out whether you C A commonwealth Department of need to have paid the fee before going Veterans Affairs gold treatment card fishing. endorsed “Totally and Permanently A fifty per cent concession applies to Incapacitated”. people who only fish in the tidal waters of C A commonwealth Department of the Tweed River and prescribed adjacent Veterans Affairs gold treatment card beach areas. endorsed “Extreme Disablement Adjustment”. or, Where do I pay the fee? C A letter from the Commonwealth You can pay the NSW recreational fishing Department of Veterans Affairs fee at many outlets throughout NSW, such stating that you receive a disability as over the counter at most fishing tackle pension of 70 per cent or higher, or shops. You can also pay the fee at caravan an intermediate pension. parks, local shops, service stations, many

8 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Where do my fishing fees go? D

recreational fishing trusts. For details of your nearest agent, phone the information line on 1300 550 474. Where do my fishing fees go?

Recreational fishing trusts Funds raised from the NSW recreational fishing fee are placed into saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing trusts and can only be spent on projects that improve recreational fishing. Expenditure from the trusts is overseen by expenditure committees on behalf of the recreational fishing community. There are two committees - one for saltwater and one for freshwater. Each is made up of regional representatives with extensive recreational fishing experience. It is important that the trusts are accountable to the angling community for how funds from the fee are spent. Regular announcements are made about expenditure from the trusts. Details are provided in the department’s annual reports and trust funded projects are described in detail on the department’s website. Trust accounts are subject to annual audit by the NSW Auditor-General. There’s a lot more information on the website at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Anyone can apply for funding from the trusts. Download an application form from the above website or phone the information Kmart stores, on the web site line on 1300 550 474 for an application www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 package. 369 365. Gold agents are the preferred outlets for the NSW recreational fishing fee. Gold agents do not take a commission from the fee, meaning that 100% of the fees go towards improving recreational fishing in NSW via the recreational fishing trusts. Standard agents retain 5% commission on the fees paid. The remainder of the money goes to the

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 9 E Where do my fishing fees go?

Recreational fishing freshwater trust expenditure committee The Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust priorities for expenditure, and fish species Expenditure Committee was established to be stocked. to advise the Minister on expenditure of NSW has been divided into eight funds from the freshwater recreational regions, three coastal (north, central and fishing trust. It is made up of fishers from south), three inner west (north, central and different regions of NSW to ensure that south) and two far-west (north and south). freshwater fishers have a say in how funds The committee is made up of one from the fishing fee should be allocated. representative from each of the regions as For example, angler education, well as the chair from the Advisory Council environmental programs, stocking, on Recreational Fishing. research, law enforcement and regional

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Tenterfield Ballina Moree Yamba Inverell Bourke Glen Innes Walgett 7 Narrabri 4Armidale Coffs Harbour 1 Nambucca Heads Coonabarabran Tamworth Kempsey Wilcannia Nyngan Port Macquarie Cobar Warren Taree Broken Hill Dubbo

Mudgee 8 Condobolin Newcastle Lake Cargelligo 2 Forbes5 Bathurst West Wyalong Sydney

Hay Balranald Wollongong Narrandera Nowra Deniliquin 6 3Batemans Bay Rivers Albury Roads Areas Cooma Bega

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10 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E Where do my fishing fees go?

Fish stocking Your fishing trusts are creating better fishing opportunities for fishers through comprehensive restocking programs for native fish and trout. Trust funds are being used to enhance the capacity of government hatcheries to produce high priority recreational species including trout, salmon, Australian bass, Murray cod, golden perch and silver perch. Since the introduction of the fishing fee, extra funding for enhanced fish production has to improved stocking practices in NSW. resulted in well over 45 million fish being E A new study has commenced to stocked in the past six years. investigate the population structure of The Dollar-for-Dollar native fish stocking catfish in the Murray-Darling catchment program has been a great success with and identify potential reintroduction many stocking organisations involved. sites within the catchment. Fishing clubs, council and community E Studies are underway to estimate the groups are matched dollar for dollar by the survival of popular freshwater species freshwater trust in raising money to buy and to establish the factors that native fish from private hatcheries to stock increase survival when released. public waterways. E A new study is investigating captive breeding techniques of Macquarie More fisheries officers perch. on patrol Freshwater trust funds make it possible to Watch out for Fishcare Volunteers have five extra inland fisheries officer The successful Fishcare Volunteer program positions out and about on the water. is the flagship education initiative of the The officers are located at Inverell, Bathurst, recreational fishing trusts. The program Jindabyne, Albury and Dareton. Targeted started in 1999 and now involves over 300 operations are conducted in all inland areas. volunteers across the state. Fishcare The officers work closely with other Volunteers are community members departmental officers to target high risk involved in face to face education of the offenders and known “black spots”. The recreational fishing community. Volunteers increased presence of fisheries officers at donate their time and effort promoting those times is widely appreciated by awareness and advising fishers about the fishers, as it is an effective deterrent rules and values of sustainable recreational against illegal activity, and provides good fishing. Volunteers work on education only. opportunities to distribute advisory material They assist in a range of activities such as and answer fisher enquiries. fishing workshops, catch surveys, community fishing events and volunteer Essential recreational research and training. The volunteers are easily monitoring identified by their bright blue uniforms. The trust is investing in important research with a direct benefit to recreational fishing, More facilities for fishers including: The small grants program provides seed E Monitoring the survival contribution of funding for fishing clubs, local councils, stocked fish to wild populations in community groups and individuals to rivers and impoundments. This will lead improve recreational fishing and fisher

12 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E Where do my fishing fees go?

facilities, such as: ensure the most current information is E Fish cleaning tables being provided to recreational fishers. Last E Fish measuring stations year 100,000 copies of the freshwater E Fishing platforms guide were distributed free of charge by E Fishing pontoon repairs fisheries officers, fishcare volunteers, at Fishing clubs, councils and community community events and outlets where the members can apply for grants of up to fee can be paid. $10,000 for small, local or regional recreational fishing based projects. Tell us where you would like the money Proposals can be submitted to the from the fees spent expenditure committee at any time. The recreational fisher based trust fund expenditure committees regularly seek Fisher education: advice from recreational fishers on Fishing workshops potential projects to be funded by the Money from the fishing fee funds fishing fishing fee. All proposals are assessed by workshops and every year, the department the committees and funded on the basis of participates in many inland fishing what the project can achieve. The highest workshops, teaching responsible fishing priority is given to projects where many practices to children and their families. This fishers are likely to benefit. To tell us where support also helps bring fishing to disabled you want your recreational fees spent or to individuals and to communities from other apply for funding contact: The Recreational cultures. Trust Executive Officer, Recreational Fisheries, Department of Primary Quality fishing guides Industries, PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW, The production of this fishing guide is 2230. Ph. (02) 9527 8411 or check the funded by the fee. Each year the guides website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au are given a fresh look and updated to

14 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Legal lengths, bag and possession limits D

Freshwater legal lengths, Measuring a Murray cray bag and possession limits carapace Explanation of terms legs antenna tail fan Legal length: The minimum length of a fish unless otherwise stated. A fish which claws does not reach this minimum length must be returned to the water immediately (see catch and release section for more information). Some species have maximum length restrictions to protect eye socket larger breeding females. Fish in excess of bag limits, protected measurement fish, female crayfish with eggs and fish Murray crayfish are measured from the taken out of season must also be returned rear of the eye socket to the centre rear immediately to the water. of the carapace. Bag limit: The maximum number of fish taken per person in one day. Why have bag & size limits? Possession limit: The maximum number Regulations apply to help ensure healthy of fish per person if you have been fishing and sustainable fisheries for future for more than one day. This is equal to generations. Size limits allow fish to reach twice the daily bag limit unless otherwise maturity and complete their breeding stated. The possession limit also applies to cycle, while bag limits help to make sure the transport and storage of fish but does everyone gets a fair share of the resource, not apply to the purchase of fish from a and that a species is not overfished. registered fish receiver (e.g. a fish shop). Abiding by the regulations will help conserve and maintain our freshwater Measuring a fish recreational fisheries. total length/legal length Legal lengths apply to most freshwater fish. Lengths are specific to each fish and dorsal fin try to reflect a size when the fish can

nape lateral line spawn at least once before being caught. nostrils Fish measuring rulers and Murray crayfish measuring gauges are available free from fisheries offices or by phoning the information line on 1300 550 474. snout Filleting fish: Please note that although operculum caudal fin you may clean fish by gilling and gutting pelvic fin anal fin you must not alter the length of fish with a size limit by filleting or removing the head To determine the legal length of a fish, the or tail until you are well away from the fish is measured from the tip of the snout water unless immediately prior to either to the tip of the tail. This is known as the consumption or use as bait. This rule does total length. not apply at areas normally used for cleaning of fish (boat ramp cleaning tables) or for fish that do not have a legal length.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 15 E Legal lengths, bag and possession limits/native species

Native fish bag and size limits (for trout and salmon see page 38) SPECIES FISHING CLOSURE LEGAL LENGTH (CM) BAG LIMIT (PER DAY)

Australian bass & Closed season in rivers – 2 (single species or Estuary perch June - August inc. combination) (combined) (only 1 fish over 35 cm in rivers)

Blackfish - river Fishing prohibited 0 0 in all waters

Catfish, freshwater Closed to fishing in all 30 5 or eel-tailed western flowing waters (in listed western dams) (in listed western dams) incl. unlisted western dams.

All other waters. 30 2

Crayfish - Murray Closed season September 9 5 (only 1 over 12cm) – April inclusive. Fishing prohibited in notified trout waters and in Blowering Dam

Crayfish – Spiny, N/A 9 cm 5 (only 1 over 12 cm) eastern freshwater

Eels – short finned N/A 30 cm 10 in total

Eels – long finned N/A 58 cm 10 in total

Golden perch N/A 30 cm 5

Murray cod Closed season September 50 cm before 30/11/07 2 (only 1 over – November inclusive 55 cm from 1/12/07 100cm in total) to 30/11/08 60 cm after 30/11/08

Silver perch Fishing prohibited in 25 cm (in listed 5 (in listed rivers stocked dams) stocked dams)

Yabbies - freshwater N/A – 200 in total

Unlisted native species N/A – 10 in total

16 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 General fishing D

General fishing Illegal fishing methods Line fishing: Set lining, jagging or foul Fishing access hooking fish. In many instances you may fish in any Gear: Using a gaff, spearguns, spears, stream from a boat or while walking on bows and arrows, chemicals or poisons, the streambed adjacent to the land. explosives or firearms to take or attempt However, you must get the owner’s to take fish or any trap and net to take or permission to cross private land or walk attempt to take fish other than prescribed along the bank adjacent to a stream. by the regulation (refer to pages 18-20). Bait: Using frogs, live finfish (including Recreational fishing guides carp), live birds, live mammals, prohibited Fishers acquiring the services of a fishing size fish or salmon roe or products guide should note that guides who operate containing them, as bait. within the boundaries of national parks in Filleting: Altering the length of any fish NSW must be authorized by the with a size limit by filleting or removing the Department of Climate Change, head (other than gutting or removing gills Environment and Water before accessing or scales) until you are well away from the rivers and lakes within the national park. water. This does not apply at areas Murray River normally used for the cleaning of fish (boat The whole of the Murray River to the ramp cleaning tables) or if the fish are for South Australian border is covered by immediate consumption or for immediate NSW laws, except Lake Hume. use as bait. Fish with a size limit must be of legal size before they can be used as Fishing lines bait. Removing tails, heads or claws from Two attended lines are permitted in all non- crayfish in, on or adjacent to waters or to tidal waters. Attended lines must be within keep any crayfish with eggs or to remove 50 metres, in your sight and have no more those eggs is also prohibited. than 2 hooks per line or 3 treble hooks per Prohibited size fish: Keeping fish of a line attached to a lure. prohibited size (they should be returned to The number of attended lines and hooks the water unharmed). permitted is summarised in the table. Sale: Selling recreational catch.

Waters Attended Hooks Traps and nets lines permitted A person may use up to 5 yabby traps, General inland 2 (hand lines 2 with up to 1 shrimp trap and 5 hoop (lift) nets unless waters (other or rods and 3 hooks otherwise stated. Traps and nets must be than notified lines) attached to a tagged with the users name. No other trout waters) lure per line traps and nets are permitted in inland waters. Traps and nets must be lifted within a 24 hour period (except commercial fishers). An exception is that

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 17 E General fishing

yabby traps, hand hauled yabby nets and Maximum dimensions: landing nets are not permitted in the 1 x 0.6 x 0.3 metres Murray River from Yarrawonga Weir Mesh size: 13mm minimum, calculated downstream to the Newell Highway bridge on the narrowest point of any axis. at Tocumwal in the period between All entrance funnels: Must not exceed December to August inclusive each year. 90mm wide at the narrowest point and Legal dimensions, mesh sizes and must be fitted with a rigid ring with a closed areas for traps and nets are maximum internal diameter of 90mm. available from your local fisheries office. Maximum number: Unless otherwise Specific closures may prohibit the use, or specified, five traps may be set, used or limit the number of, traps and nets. in your possession. Identification: The position of any trap Mesh sizes: For soft netting such as used must be marked above water by a stake in hoop nets, mesh size is calculated or buoy. Each trap must also be tagged across the diagonal. with the users name. Use common sense when placing your Yabby (or opera house) traps are known set fishing gear. Do not set gear in areas to catch and drown animals such as platypus of high boat traffic or navigation channels. and turtles which are protected under the To minimise the risk of entanglement by National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. people or boats, any buoy rope used to In association with the National Parks mark set fishing gear must be as short as and Wildlife Service; wildlife experts; practical and preferably weighted below commercial yabby fishers and the Advisory the surface. Fisheries officers may shorten Council on Recreational Fishing; NSW ropes they believe to be a hazard. Department of Primary Industries has Interference with set fishing gear is an implemented a number of changes to rules offence. Penalties apply for anyone found regarding use of yabby traps to minimise tampering with fishing gear set by capture of other animals. commercial or recreational fishers. All set gear must be lifted within a 24 E All yabby traps need to be fitted with a hour period. 90 mm rigid ring in any entrance funnel to reduce the incidence of capture of Yabby trap adult turtles. E Traps are banned in waters where platypus are found. These are public waters including impoundments, rivers and streams east of the Newell Highway (excluding private farm dams) and three designated stretches of river west of the Newell Highway – the Edward River (upstream of Stevens weir), The Murray River (upstream of the Echuca/Moama road bridge) and the Murrumbidgee River (upstream of Darlington Point road bridge). Mesh size: 13mm minimum, E calculated on the narrowest point of Rigid mesh, such as metal wire or hard any axis. Rigid mesh is prohibited. plastic is prohibited from use on traps. E Yabby traps are prohibited in all notified trout waters.

18 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E General fishing

Shrimp trap Identification: Each net must be tagged with the owners name plus residential address and/or boat registration number.

As the use of hoop nets does not threaten platypus or other air breathing animals, the rules governing use remain unchanged.

Hand-hauled yabby net

Maximum dimensions: 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.5 metres Mesh size: 13mm maximum, calculated across the diagonal. Entrance funnels: Inner hole maximum width of 35mm in order to keep out larger animals. Maximum number: Unless otherwise specified, one trap may be set, used or in Maximum dimension: Up to 6 metres in your possession. length, measured along the headline. Identification: The position of any trap Mesh size: 40mm maximum, calculated must be marked at, or above, water level across the diagonal. by a tag with the users name. Note: Can only be used in ground tanks, bore drains or lagoons. Must be Hoop net or lift net continuously and manually propelled not set or staked.

Maximum dimensions: Net attached to no more than two hoops, rings or frames not more than 1.25 m at their greatest diameter or diagonal. Maximum drop of net to be 1 metres. Mesh size: 13mm minimum, calculated across the diagonal. Maximum number: Unless otherwise specified, five nets may be set, used or in your possession.

20 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E General Fishing

Dams and weirs Fishing is prohibited in the following areas

River system Dam or weir Description

Dumaresq Bonshaw Weir Up to 100m downstream of the weir face

Edward Stevens Weir Between 80m upstream and 70m downstream of the weir face

Lachlan Lake Cargellico Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face Lachlan Lake Brewster Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face

Lachlan Willandra Weir Between 185m downstream and 100m upstream of the weir face

Lachlan Wyangala Dam Up to 400m downstream of the weir face to the low level bridge

MacIntyre Goondiwindi Weir Between 150m upstream and 150m downstream of the weir face

Macquarie Burrendong Dam Between 185m upstream and 185m downstream of the weir face

Macquarie Burrendong Dam Spillway Channel

Murray Hume Reservoir Up to 130m downstream of the weir face

Murray Horseshoe Lagoon Murray Cod (Maccullochella peeli), Golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) and Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus ) may not be taken in Horseshoe Lagoon Albury, except by the method of catch and release fishing

Murray Yarrawonga Weir Between 50m upstream and 201m downstream of the weir face

Murray Weir 7 Between 50m upstream and from downstream end of lock chamber at Rufus River in a straight line across the river to a point on the NSW bank 125m downstream of where the weir wall adjoins the NSW bank.

Murray Weir 8 Between 50m upstream and from the downstream end of the lock at Wangumma chamber in a straight line across the river to a point on the Victorian bank 150m downstream of where the weir wall adjoins the Victorian bank.

Murray Weir 9 at Kulnine Between 50m upstream and from downstream end of lock chamber in a straight line across the river to a point on the NSW bank 150m downstream of where the weir wall adjoins the NSW bank.

Murray Weir 10 Between 50m upstream and from the downstream end of the lock at Wentworth chamber in a straight line across the river to a point on the Victorian bank 65m downstream of where the weir wall adjoins the Victorian bank.

22 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 General fishing D

Dams and weirs River system Dam or weir Description Murray Weir 11 Between 50m upstream and from a point on the NSW bank 142m at Mildura downstream from where the weir wall adjoins the NSW bank in a straight line across the river to a point on the Victorian bank 120m downstream of where the weir wall adjoins the Victorian bank. Murray Weir 15 The Murray River at weir 15 (at Robinvale) within 50 metres upstream at Robinvale and from the downstream end of the lock chamber in a straight line across the river to a point on the NSW bank, 65 metres downstream of where the weir wall adjoins the NSW bank.

Frenchmans Lake Victoria Inlet Between 100m upstream and from a point on the northern bank Creek Regulator at 120m downstream of where the regulator adjoins the northern bank Frenchmans Creek of the Frenchman’s Creek to a point on the southern bank 100m downstream of where the regulator adjoins the southern bank of Frenchman’s Creek. Rufus River Lake Victoria Outlet Between 100m upstream and 100m downstream from the centre of Regulator Rufus River the regulator wall

Murray Swampy Plains River Up to 120m downstream from Khancoban Dam retaining wall. Murrumbidgee Gogeldrie Weir Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face Murrumbidgee Yanco Creek Weir Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face

Murrumbidgee Berembed Weir Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face Murrumbidgee Weir No. 5 Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face - Redbank Weir Murrumbidgee Weir No. 7 Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face - Maude Weir Murrumbidgee Balranald Weir Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face Murrumbidgee Hay Weir Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face Murrumbidgee Burrinjuck Dam Up to 640m downstream of the weir face in line with the western end of the No.1 power station. Namoi Manilla Weir Between 50m upstream and 50m downstream of the weir face Namoi Keepit Dam Up to 150m downstream of the weir face Tumut Blowering Dam Up to 250m downstream of the Blowering Dam power station at Blowering Dam Tumut Jounama Dam Up to 800m downstream of the Jounama Dam spillway gates at Jounama Dam Additionally some areas around dams and weirs may be closed to public access by the authority responsible for maintaining that structure for environmental or safety reasons. If you are unsure about access arrangements around a dam or weir, check with the local authority before you go fishing.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 23 E Useful knots, rigs and bait

Some useful knots and rigs Uni knot for tying on hooks Uni knots are useful for tying small hooks onto light lines, a frequent requirement in freshwater fishing, because the knot may be formed some distance from the hook and slid into place when formed. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1.Thread the line through the eye of the hook, ring or swivel, and encircle the main line with the tag to form the configuration shown. 2. Wrap the tag around both the returning tag and main line, but inside the encircling loop made by the tag. 3. Make four to six wraps in this manner. 4. Moisten and tighten the knot using gentle pressure on the tag. 5. Slide the knot gently down onto the eye of the hook, ring or swivel.

Uni knot for tying line onto your reel First wrap the line around the spool of your reel, at least once, then tie a standard uni knot with four wraps. Then slide the knot down onto the spool of your reel.

Double blood knot for joining lines The double blood knot is a streamlined join useful for joining two similar size lines. It is particularly favoured by light tackle enthusiasts. 1. 2. 3. 4.

1. Overlap the lines to be joined. 2. Wrap one line around the other four times, pass the tag through the crossover, and commence wrapping with the other line. 3. Make four wraps with the other line and pass the tag through the same wrap as the other but from the opposite direction. 4. Moisten and tighten the knot with gentle pressure on each side.

24 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Useful knots, rigs and bait D

Clinch knot This knot forms a strong, reliable connection that resists slippage and premature failures.

1. 2. 3.

1. Thread the eye of the hook with the line 4. 2. And make an extra wrap 3. Then wrap the tag around the main line from four to six times. The heavier the line the less number of wraps 4. Complete the knot by passing the tag back through the first two wraps made before moistening the line and pulling the knot tight. The best result is achieved when the loops through the eye of the hook retain the wrapping sequence and don’t spring apart.

Bubble Floats E Bubble floats are designed as running floats, which is to say the line can pass through the float without resistance. The most successful and popular bubble floats feature a central tube through which the line is threaded. E Before threading the bubble float onto the line, the central tube is displaced, enabling the angler to partially fill the float with water. This makes it heavier and easy to cast out. E The bubble float is rigged in tandem with a much smaller float - usually a small piece of foam fixed securely onto the line - and from which the baited hook is suspended. This smaller float also acts as a stopper to prevent the bubble float sliding down to the hook as the angler casts out. E When the bubble float rig has been cast out, both floats - the bubble float and the smaller float from which the bait is suspended - lay side by side on the surface. E When a fish takes the bait and pulls the smaller float down, the line runs freely though the heavier bubble float, which offers no resistance as the fish takes line. E The most effective bait with a bubble float seems to be dragon fly larvae (mudeyes) which are usually suspended about a metre below the smaller float.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 25 E Useful knots, rigs and bait

Rigs

1. The addition of a large split shot, a 1. 2. short distance above the hook, allows baits like worms and small yabbies to be suspended alongside sunken timber and steep banks for native fish like golden perch, Macquarie perch and a several others.

2. Standard running sinker rigs are used for suspending baits amongst timber, and for bottom fishing from the banks of lakes and streams.

Baits E Dragon fly larvae E Large grubs like mudeyes grasshoppers (mudeyes) are bardi grubs, wattle excellent bait for grubs, and wood trout and other grubs make freshwater excellent bait for species and are native species, best fished under Murray cod in a small float, or in particular. They shrimp earthworms conjunction with a present best if not bubble float rig. punctured and E Grasshoppers are may be bound to usually fished the hook with unweighted with hosiery elastic a greased line and which is sold from make excellent leading fishing bait for trout. tackle outlets as E Shrimp may be “Bait Mate.” fished singly, or E Small yabbies are bardi yabbies several at a time, excellent bait for and are great most native bait for most species. Murray freshwater species. cod will take E Earthworms and larger yabbies. scrubworms may be fished singly or several at a time, and are excellent bait for most freshwater species.

26 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 How to weigh your fish with a ruler D

Weigh your fish with a ruler Fish biologists have collected vast quantities estimate weight of a fish by measuring its of length and weight data from a variety of length. Please note that these figures are fish species. This has enabled length and estimates only and individual fish weight weight relationships to be calculated for may vary depending on age, sex, season some fish species which can be used to and recent feeding activity.

Measuring length In the Australian bass table fork length measurement has be used while the Murray cod table shows total length. Total length is measured from the tip of the snout on the upper jaw to the tip of the tail and this is the correct calculation to determine legal length

Fork length for weight calculation Total length for legal length calculation

Australian bass Murray cod Fork Weight Fork Weight Total Weight Total Weight length (kg) length (kg) length (kg) length (kg) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) 25 0.3 43 1.6 40 1.1 72 7.6 26 0.3 44 1.7 42 1.3 74 8.3 27 0.4 45 1.8 44 1.5 76 9.0 28 0.4 46 1.9 46 1.8 78 9.8 29 0.5 47 2.0 48 2.0 80 10.7 30 0.5 48 2.2 50 2.3 82 11.6 31 0.6 49 2.3 52 2.6 84 12.5 32 0.6 50 2.5 54 3.0 86 13.5 33 0.7 51 2.6 56 3.3 88 14.6 34 0.8 52 2.8 58 3.7 90 15.7 35 0.8 53 2.9 60 4.2 92 16.8 36 0.9 54 3.1 62 4.6 94 18.0 37 1.0 55 3.3 64 5.2 96 19.3 38 1.1 56 3.5 66 5.7 98 20.7 39 1.2 57 3.7 68 6.3 100 22.1 40 1.3 58 3.9 70 6.9 41 1.3 59 4.1 42 1.4 60 4.3

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 27 E Freshwater Fishing Closures

Freshwater Fishing Closures

Waters Species Banned Period

Jenolan River: The whole of the waters of that part of Jenolan or Trout All fishing methods All year Harry’s River, together with all its creeks and tributaries, upwards to its & Salmon source from a line drawn at right angles across the river at a distance of 850 metres downstream, measured along the midstream, from the swimming pool (also known as the spawning pool) adjacent to the Hydro-electric Power Station

Serpentine River and Dutton Trout Hatchery: All artificial ponds Trout All fishing methods All year and other waters within the Dutton Trout Hatchery boundaries at Ebor, & Salmon including that part of the Serpentine River from the weir above the hatchery, downstream approximately 2.4 kilometres to the top of the Serpentine Falls (with the exception that persons employed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries may take fish in accordance with the management arrangements of the Dutton Trout Hatchery)

Thredbo River and Gaden Trout Hatchery: All artificial ponds and Trout All fishing methods All year other waters within the boundaries of the Gaden Trout Hatchery at & Salmon Jindabyne and the whole of the waters of that part of the Thredbo River (or Crackenback River) from the upstream extremity of the public reserve known as ‘Paddy’s Corner’, upstream for a distance of 2.4 kilometres (being those waters adjacent to the Gaden Trout Hatchery) and including the whole of Sawpit Creek from its confluence with the Thredbo River (with the exception that persons employed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries may take fish in accordance with the management arrangements of the Gaden Trout Hatchery).

Blowering Dam: From the upstream of the face of the dam to the Murray Taking or attempting All year confluence of running waters crayfish to take Murray crayfish All waters River All fishing methods All year blackfish

All western flowing waters except the dams / weir specified on Catfish Taking or attempting All year page 36. to take eel tailed catfish All waters except the dams / weir specified on page 36. Silver perch Taking or attempting All year to take silver perch

Horseshoe Lagoon: The whole of the waters of Horseshoe Lagoon on Murray cod, All fishing methods All year the Murray River floodplain at West Albury golden for these species perch, silver except catch and perch release fishing

Notified trout waters – see pages 40-45 Spiny All fishing methods All year crayfish, Murray or eastern freshwater

All waters All species Use of live birds and All year mammals as bait

28 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Freshwater Fishing Closures D

Fishing is restricted at certain times of the year

Closed season Species Waters Banned

September to Murray cod All inland waters Taking or attempting to November inclusive in take Murray cod each year

September to April Murray All inland waters Taking or attempting to inclusive in each year crayfish take Murray crayfish

June to August Australian bass All Rivers / estuaries Taking or attempting to inclusive in each year & estuary take Australian bass or perch Estuary perch August to October Australian bass Doon Doon Creek. Downstream from the Clarrie All fishing methods. inclusive in each year & estuary Hall dam wall to the junction with the Tweed River Taking or attempting to perch take all species

August to October Australian bass Iron Pot Creek Extending 1km downstream from All fishing methods. inclusive in each year & estuary the Toonumbar Dam access crossing Taking or attempting to perch take all species August to October Australian bass Richmond River 1 km downstream from the Norco All fishing methods. inclusive in each year & estuary Weir Taking or attempting to perch take all species

August to October Eastern cod Mann River and its tributaries upstream of its All fishing methods. inclusive in each year junction with the Clarence River and including the Taking or attempting to Nymboida River and its tributaries from its junction take all species with the Mann River upstream to Platypus Flat, excluding notified trout waters.

September to Trout cod Murray River and its tributaries from the All fishing methods. November inclusive in Yarrawonga Weir, downstream to the Newell Taking or attempting to each year highway bridge at Tocumwal take all species

Traps and Nets are prohibited in the following areas

Waters Banned Period Blowering Dam: From the upstream of the face of the dam to the Hoop / lift net All year confluence of running waters

Traps and nets are restricted at certain times of the year

Waters Banned Period Murray River: The whole of the waters of the Murray River (including its All traps and nets except December to creeks, tributaries, billabongs, and lagoons) from the Yarrawonga Weir, hoop / lift net and shrimp August inclusive downstream to the Newell highway bridge at Tocumwal trap in each year

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 29 (ADVERTORIAL)

National Safe Boating Initiatives ABPS on new boats EPIRBS Most new boats will soon need to have The National Marine Safety Committee an Australian Builders Plate (ABP) to be (NMSC) is encouraging boat owners and registered in NSW. The plates will provide users to get in early and replace 121.5 key safety information including the MHz EPIRBS for a 406 MHz beacon on number of people and load allowed, their next battery change over. To avoid engine rating, weight and buoyancy high demand, owners and users are performance. being asked to purchase a 406 MHz Importantly, the maximum load beacon by 1 July 2008 – when the law is information will help skippers to avoid scheduled to be changed to require the overloading and possible carriage of a 406 capsize. Maximum load MHz beacon includes the weight of people; only. outboard engines; and carry on equipment such as PFD/Lifejacket safety gear, eskies, campaign fishing NMSC is again tackle, running a national spare summer safety parts and equipment portable campaign tanks etc. featuring sporting A major icon Matthew safety Hayden. The characteristic of campaign will the plate is its encourage requirement to boaters and have either level or fishers to wear basic flotation for lifejackets. In boats less than 6 particular, the metres. role of skippers in encouraging Basic flotation passengers to wear lifejackets will be means a boat will float in some capacity if emphasised. swamped or capsized and may allow According to figures from research people to cling on while waiting for help conducted in Queensland, New South Level flotation means a boat will float Wales, South Australia and Western in a level position if swamped and allow Australia by Monash University, fishers people to stay in the boat and possibly and other people in small boats had a bail out water while waiting for help. very low personal flotation device wear Staying with a boat after an accident rate. However, evidence suggests that a will enhance the chances of safe rescue skippers PFD wear behaviour strongly but relies on the boat staying afloat if influences the wear behaviour of their swamped. passengers.

For further information contact the National Marine Safety Committee on telephone 02 9247 2124 E Freshwater fishing closures/Fishing in Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala

Why do we close areas to fishing? to the point where Seven Mile Creek Areas can be closed to fishing for a variety enters the Murray River on the northern of reasons but mainly to protect fish and bank of the Murray River and in the Mitta fish habitat, to promote a fair share of the Mitta arm of the lake, from the weir wall catch amongst the community, or for safety upstream to the Murray Valley Highway reasons. Areas can be closed permanently bridge situated east of Tallangatta. or temporarily or at a specific time of year. This as called a closed season. Lake Mulwala Closed seasons help fish during All the waters impounded by the breeding seasons to allow fish to spawn Yarrawonga Weir upstream to the point uninterrupted by fishers. where the Ovens River enters the Murray A good example of this is the Murray River marked by the Bundalong boat ramp. cod male, who can become much more Rules and regulations applying to aggressive. When he protects his eggs, recreational fishing in the managing state making him easy to catch. Removal of the apply to each respective lake. male also leaves the eggs unguarded and more likely to be eaten by other predators. Catch and release fishing Closures below and above dams and Catch and release fishing is an increasingly weirs protect fish where they gather to popular practice among many freshwater spawn or migrate. fishers. It is quite common for fishers with a strong conservation commitment to Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala release fish which they could legally keep. Under a new agreement between NSW Compliance with bag and size limits and Victoria effective from September 1, and various fishing closures also means 2004, all fishing in Lake Mulwala is subject many fishers, by law, return fish they have to NSW fishing rules. Similarly, all fishing caught to the water. in Lake Hume is subject to Victorian To maximise a fish’s survival when fishing rules. practicing catch and release, it is important The agreement is the result of an to follow a few simple rules: extensive consultation process with E Minimise the time spent to land the recreational fishing stakeholders and fish. Long fights on light tackle unduly clears up uncertainty among fishers as to stress fish and lead to lower chance of where the border lies between states and survival as a result. which fisheries regulations apply where. E Use barbless hooks whenever possible The confusion arose when the Murray to aid in hook removal and minimize River was dammed to create the lakes as hook damage to fish. the river forms the constitutional border E Consider using non-offset circle hooks between NSW and Victoria. Prior to the when fishing with bait. This generally new agreement each lake had been under results in more mouth (rather than gut) dual state management with different hooked fish. rules on either side of a dividing line. E Avoid taking a fish from the water. If Boundaries you can, release the fish while it is still For the purpose of managing recreational in the water. E fishing the lakes are described as: If you do remove the fish from the water, handle it carefully. Use wet Lake Hume hands or a wet towel to minimise The extent of the backed up waters of damage to its skin. Support its body Lake Hume from the weir wall upstream weight. Minimise the length of time

32 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Freshwater Fishing Closures/Fishing in Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala D

the fish is out of the water. pushing the fish through the water so E Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft that it obtains a good supply of oxygen. knotless mesh to reduce harm to fish E Avoid releasing fish into warm, shallow scales, skin, eyes and fins. margins of lakes and streams if E Avoid dropping fish onto the bottom of deeper, cooler water is accessible. boats or other hard surfaces as this A catch and release native fishery has can cause internal organ damage. Hold recently been established in Horseshoe fish with a firm grip across the back of Lagoon near Albury. Call (02) 6042 4206 the head to remove your hook. for details. E A smooth, wet surface or vinyl covered foam is the most suitable surface to Note: It is illegal to fish for Murray cod place fish on in order to remove hooks. during the Murray cod closed season, to E Remember many surfaces, especially target threatened species such as silver metal, can become very hot in the sun. perch in rivers, or to target trout cod, Fish skin is very prone to injury or eastern freshwater cod and Macquarie burns and skin injuries can decrease perch as catch and release species. resistance to diseases. E Try to retrieve hooks and release fish Tagged fish as quickly as possible. The use of Tagging fish is a useful research tool but needle-nosed pliers or hook retrieving incidental tagging of any freshwater devices can greatly reduce time spent species can interfere with specific research unhooking fish. programs and unnecessarily stress fish. E If a hook is located deep inside the fish, Therefore tagging is not permitted unless cut the line as close as possible to the undertaken as part of a formal program. fish’s mouth. This is far better than If you catch a tagged fish please ensure trying to extract the hook, which could the tag and details of the capture are sent cause internal damage to the fish. to the address shown on the tag, or call E Take care to revive fish upon release if 1300 550 474 with details. required. This involves gently holding or

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 33 E Major native freshwater fishing species

Major native freshwater A spawning closure applies to Australian bass and estuary perch in rivers during the fishing species months of June to August each year The major native species targeted by inclusive. At other times, the combined recreational fishers include Australian bass, bag limit for these species is 2 per day eel-tailed catfish, golden perch, silver perch with only one fish larger than 35cm (in dams only), Murray cod, Murray permitted. There is no maximum size crayfish and yabbies. restriction in impoundments, and fish may Bag and size limits apply to all these major be taken all year round. target species (see page 16) and a state-wide closure applies to the taking of silver perch in Eel-tailed or freshwater Catfish rivers and streams. All western flowing waters, including unlisted dams are closed to the taking of eel-tailed and freshwater catfish and a seasonal closure applies to the taking of Australian bass.

Australian bass Freshwater catfish were formerly very abundant across most of the Murray-Darling Basin in inland NSW. Prior to the 1980s, they provided recreational fishing opportunities and are still considered one of the premier table fish by many country people. However, catfish numbers declined substantially following the invasion of carp during the 1970s and 80s. In addition to carp, thermal pollution and This is one of Australia’s best freshwater season flow reversal have had major sportfish. It is an aggressive predator and impacts in affected reaches. Catfish have readily takes a lure. Australian bass live in virtually disappeared from the Murray, freshwater coastal rivers but part of their Murrumbidgee and Lachlan catchments. breeding cycle involves annual migrations Catfish are still relatively common in parts to saltwater areas. of the Macquarie, Namoi, Gwydir and Barriers to passage such as weirs, Border River catchments and coastal dams and flood mitigation works have catchments north of Newcastle. reduced the extent of their habitat but Catfish do not migrate for spawning fishways designed for Australian conditions unlike other inland species such as trout, are being installed in important weirs to golden perch or Murray cod, and are one of encourage natural spawning populations the few species which spawn in dams. To to return to many areas. protect this species, fishing for eel tailed NSW Department of Primary Industries catfish is prohibited in all western flowing stocks many impoundments on the waters in NSW apart from listed western eastern side of the Great Dividing Range impoundments (refer to page 36). The legal with Australian bass. They provide length for catfish is 30cm with a bag limit of excellent sportfishing, often growing to 5 per person per day from listed western trophy size. Australian bass are also reared impoundments and 2 per person per day in in hatcheries for supply to the public for all other waters. stocking in dams and impoundments.

34 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Major native freshwater fishing species D

Golden perch Silver perch

NAPE

Also known as yellowbelly, this is one of Silver perch, also know as bidyan and black the most common and prized tablefish in or silver bream, prefer river, lake and the Murray-Darling system. A solitary reservoir habitats and areas of rapid water species, they prefer deep pool habitats flow. They were once widespread and with large cover such as dead and fallen abundant throughout most of the Murray- trees, or undercut banks. Darling Basin, except in cooler, high Golden perch undertake extensive altitude streams. upstream spawning migrations when Like golden perch, silver perch migrate floods or significant river rises occur. The upstream in response to pre-flood rains. young thrive on the rich zooplankton of The species depends on floods to flood plains after heavy flooding while distribute eggs and the flooded plains are adults consume fishes, molluscs and important nursery areas. crayfish. Most wild populations of silver perch Golden perch have been successfully have now either declined to very low stocked into many impoundments where numbers or have disappeared altogether they can often attain a size of 10 kg. They with the exception of the remaining have been recorded to 24kg but are secure, self-sustaining population in the usually caught at around 1 to 5kg. central Murray River. Golden perch can be distinguished from River regulation and water extraction silver perch by the following features: are likely to have major impacts on the E The dorsal profile of the snout is species. Silver perch are characterised by strongly convex with a strongly arched their relatively small heads and beak-like nape. In silver perch the snout is snouts. The fish is moderate to large in almost straight. size with an elongate body. They can reach E Eyes and mouth are large with the a maximum length of about 40cm and can mouth extending to below the middle attain a weight of approximately 8kg but of the eye. In silver perch the eye and are more commonly found at around 30cm mouth are small with the mouth in length and 1.5kg in weight. finishing well before the eye. They feed on insects, molluscs, worms E The tail is rounded, whereas in silver and algae. Silver perch may be taken from perch it is weakly forked. listed stocked dams but must not be taken E The lower jaw protrudes slightly. In in rivers. The bag limit in listed stocked silver perch the jaws are equal. impoundments is 5 per person per day with a minimum size of 25cm. Listed Golden perch must be 30cm in length stocked impoundments where silver perch before it can be legally taken. A bag of 5 may be taken are listed in the following applies to this species. table.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 35 E Major native freshwater fishing species

Impoundments where silver perch and Murray Cod catfish may be taken.

DAM / WEIR SPECIES PERMITTED

Ben Chifley Silver perch, catfish Blowering Silver perch Burrendong Silver perch, catfish The Murray cod can grow to over 100 kg. Burrinjuck Silver perch The species occurs naturally in the Chaffey Silver perch, catfish western drainage among habitat ranging from small clear rocky streams of the Copeton Silver perch, catfish upper slopes to turbid, slow-flowing rivers Glenbawn Silver perch, catfish and creeks on the plains. Glennies Creek Silver perch, catfish They are generally found in, or near, deep holes and show a distinct preference Googong Silver perch for territory containing shelter or cover Jounama Silver perch such as rocks, fallen timber, stumps, clay banks or overhanging vegetation. Keepit Silver perch, catfish A closed season applies from September Lake Albert Silver perch to November each year inclusive to provide Lake Wyangan Silver perch an opportunity for Murray cod to spawn. From 1 December 2007 the minimum Pindari Silver perch, catfish legal length of Murray cod will be Split Rock Silver perch, catfish increased to 55cm, followed by a further Windamere Silver perch, catfish increase to 60cm on 1 December 2008. The bag limit for Murray cod is 2 per Wyangala Silver perch, catfish person per day with only 1 fish over Yass Silver perch 100cm allowed.

36 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Crayfish D

Crayfish There are over 100 species of freshwater crayfish in Australia many of which are commonly called yabbies. In NSW, you must pay the NSW recreational fishing fee and have a receipt for payment of the fee in your possession when taking crayfish. Any female carrying eggs (berried) including yabbies, must be returned to the water immediately. This ensures the life 8 years until they reach their legal length cycle continues and the species can of 9cm. A closed season applies between remain viable as a recreational fishery. September and April each year inclusive. A It is an offence to remove eggs from bag limit of 5 per person applies to Murray females and heavy penalties apply. Trained crayfish. Murray crayfish may not be taken fisheries officers can easily tell if a berried in notified trout waters or Blowering Dam. crayfish has been stripped of its eggs. The minimum size limit for Murray crayfish is 9cm measured from rear of the eye Spiny crayfish socket to the centre rear of the carapace, There are 24 species of spiny crayfish in with only one larger than 12cm permitted. NSW. They typically occur in waters on both sides of the Great Dividing Range. Yabbies Some are quite smooth bodied, with few obvious spines and are very similar in appearance to common yabbies. As a result caution should be exercised when taking yabbies or crayfish since the bag limits differ - 200 for yabbies against against 5 for spiny crayfish or eastern freshwater crayfish combined. A minimum size limit of 9cm applies to all The common freshwater yabby is the best spiny crayfish or eastern freshwater known and most abundant of the crayfish, measured from the rear of the freshwater crayfish in Australia. In NSW eye socket to the centre rear of the the species occurs naturally west of the carapace, with only one spiny crayfish or Great Dividing Range and has adapted to eastern freshwater crayfish larger than many different habitats ranging from 12cm permitted. mountain lakes to slow, warm, muddy rivers and creeks. Murray crayfish Yabbies are opportunistic scavengers Murray crayfish can be found in the Murray and are easily caught using baited traps. River upstream of Mildura, in the Fishing for yabbies is a popular activity in Murrumbidgee River and in some dams, the western part of the state where they and are the only species in the Euastacus are taken both to eat and to be used as genus that live in both cold and warm bait, especially for native species such as water habitats. They have been reported to Murray cod. grow to 3kg and are the second largest A bag and possession limit of 200 freshwater crayfish in the world behind the yabbies per person applies. However there Tasmanian freshwater crayfish. They are is no size limit or closed season in NSW slow-growing animals and may take up to waters.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 37 NS702.FWG.25-47 Q6 28/11/07 6:50 PM Page 38

E Trout and salmon

recreational species. The trout and salmon Trout and salmon fishing fishery is valuable to the state (for NSW offers some of the premier trout example, worth more than $70 million to fishing in Australia. Brown, rainbow and the Snowy Mountain region alone). brook trout are found in the cooler highland reaches of many NSW rivers. In a number of rivers trout have established Fishing Rules for Trout and naturally reproducing populations. In other waters NSW Department of Primary Salmon Industries, in conjunction with Fishing Lines acclimatization societies, maintains E Attended rods and lines must be within populations by annual restocking with fry 50 metres, and in your sight. and fingerlings. E In general trout streams and dams, Atlantic salmon are stocked into Lake salmon or trout may taken with natural Jindabyne and Khancoban Pondage flies, insects or their larvae, worms, annually. Until approximately 35 cm long, shrimps, yabbies, mussels, artificial salmon are plankton feeders found in the lures or baits, or plant matter. water column. Above this size they pursue In artificial fly and lure waters including larger prey and offer lure anglers the trout spawning streams only artificial flies opportunity to target them. or lures are permitted. Bait or Trout and salmon are regarded by the manufactured bait products may not be NSW government as a desirable used. Fishing rules for Trout and Salmon (for native fish see page 16) Notified Fishing Season Attended Rods Number Legal Bag Limit per Trout and Lines of hooks Length day (single or Waters (cm) combined)

Trout 1 May to end June 1 Gear rigged for 2 (with up to 3 50 1 only. Catch Spawning long weekend. bait fishing, hooks per artificial and release Streams (Note: Trout including fly or lure) fishing (Table 1 p46p44) Spawning Streams manufactured bait permitted once become Artificial Fly product is prohibited. the daily bag and Lure Waters and possesion from Saturday limit has been October long reached weekend to 30 April each year inclusive) Artificial Fly Saturday morning 1 Gear rigged for 2 in streams (with 25 2 & Lure October long bait fishing, up to 3 hooks per Waters weekend to Monday including, artificial fly or lure) (Table 2 p46p44) night June long manufactured bait & 3 in dams, weekend (except product is prohibited. (where those hooks some dams which are artificial flies are open all year) or lures).

38 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008

c 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 m 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 y 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 k 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Trout and salmon D

Fishing rules for Trout and Salmon Notified Fishing Season Attended Rods Number Legal Bag Limit per Trout and Lines of hooks Length day (single or Waters (cm) combined) General Saturday morning 1 only. Bait fishing 2 in streams (with 25 25 Trout October long allowed. up to 3 hooks per Streams weekend to Monday Manufactured bait artificial fly or (Table 3 p44) night June long product is permitted lure). weekend. except salmon roe or products containing them.

General All year 2 only. Bait fishing 2 (with up to 3 25 5 Trout Dams allowed. hooks per artificial (Table 4 p44) Manufactured bait fly or lure) or 3 product is permitted (where those hooks except salmon roe or are artificial flies products containing or lures). them

All other All year 2 only. Hand lines 2 (with up to 3 25 10 waters permitted. Bait hooks per artificial fishing allowed. fly or lure). Manufactured bait product is permitted except salmon roe or products containing them

See pages 40-45 for the list of notified trout waters. Illegal fishing methods Line fishing: Set lining, jagging or foul Filleting: Altering the length of any fish with hooking fish or using hand held lines in a size limit by filleting or removing the head notified trout waters. Rods and lines only are other than by gutting or removing gills or permitted in notified trout waters. scales until you are well away from the Gear: Using a gaff, spearguns, spears, bows water. This does not apply at areas normally and arrows, chemicals or poisons, explosives used for the cleaning of fish such as boat or firearms to take or attempt to take fish. ramp cleaning tables or if the fish are for Trout or salmon may not be taken with the immediate consumption or for immediate aid of a light or hand. Traps and nets are not use as bait. Fish with a size limit must be of permitted in notified trout waters other than legal size before they can be used as bait. hoop nets in Lakes Eucumbene and Murray crayfish: Murray crayfish may not Jindabyne as per the regulation or a landing be taken in notified trout waters or in net for retrieving legally hooked fish. Blowering Dam. Bait: Using frogs, live finfish including carp, Prohibited size fish: Keeping fish of a live birds, live mammals, prohibited size fish prohibited size. They should be returned to or salmon roe or products containing them, the water unharmed, and as bait. Sale: Selling recreational catch.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 39 E Trout and salmon

Notified trout waters To protect breeding populations and promote fair sharing of the catch amongst fishers, certain streams and dams have been classified as ‘notified’ trout waters. These waters have special regulations on gear and season and there are several types. The different rules and regulations are shown in the following schedule and tables. If a stream is not listed, check the major stream it runs into. In unlisted waters the general freshwater fishing rules apply (pages 17-20). Other local areas may be closed to certain types of fishing or to the use of specific gear. For up to date information, please check with your local fisheries office. Contact details are available on page 67. The tables referred to in the schedule below are provided on page 46.

Apsley River Belubula River General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Tia River* junction Upstream of Cherry Tree Falls bridge, see table 3 near Canowindra Barnard River see table 3 General trout stream Bemboka River Upstream of Gulf Creek* junction General trout stream see table 3 Upstream of Tantawangelo Creek junction Barrington River see table 3 General trout stream Ben Chifley Dam Upstream of Moppy River* junction General trout dam see table 3 see table 4 Beardy Waters Dam Black Lake ** General trout dam Artificial fly and lure water see table 4 see table 2 Beardy Waters Blicks River General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Furracabad Creek junction Upstream of road bridge at Dundurrabin see table 3 see table 3 Bell River (A) Bobundra Creek Artificial fly and lure water Artificial fly and lure water Upstream of Belgravia Road crossing Upstream of Snowy River junction see table 2 see table 2 Bell River (B) Boree Creek General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Molong River* junction Upstream of Mandagery Creek junction see table 3 see table 3

40 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 NS702.FWG.25-47 Q6 28/11/07 6:50 PM Page 41

Trout and salmon D

Captains Flat Dam Deepwater River General trout dam General trout stream see table 4 Upstream of New England Hwy bridge near Deepwater Carcoar Dam see table 3 General trout dam Diggers Creek Dam see table 4 General trout dam Carters Brook See table 4 General trout stream Dumaresq Dam Upstream from Stewarts Brook* junction see table 3 General trout dam see table 4 Chandler River Dungowan Creek General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Wollomombi River* junction Upstream of road crossing near see table 3 Ogunbil Station Cobark River see table 3 General trout stream Eucumbene Dam ## Upstream of Dilgry River* junction General trout dam see table 3 see table 4 Coolumbooka Weir Eucumbene River ### General trout dam Trout spawning stream see table 4 see table 1 Coolacurripa River Artificial fly and lure water General trout stream Upstream of dam wall including Upstream of Mummel River* junction Providence Portal see table 3 see table 2 Coxs River # Fitzroy Falls Dam General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of Little River junction see table 4 see table 3 Flea Creek Cudgegong River Artificial fly and lure water General trout stream Upstream of junction with Goodradigbee Upstream of Lawson Park Weir at River and including Tumbledown Creek Mudgee to Windamere Dam wall upstream of Goodradigbee River junction see table 3 see table 2 LEGEND: # note there is a 3 km exclusion zone around Warragamba Dam, ## up to 5 hoop nets to take yabbies permitted ### Artificial fly and lure waters from Saturday October long weekend to 30 April each year inclusive, * also included, ** bait, **artificial fly & lure fishing permitted, *** artificial fly & lure fishing from shore only from 1 hr before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 41

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E Trout and salmon

Geehi Dam Harrys Creek (Jenolan River) Totally Closed General trout dam From headwaters to 850m downstream see table 4 of the spawning pool at Jenolan Caves Georges Creek Horton River General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Louisa Creek junction Upstream of Cut Road Creek* junction see table 3 see table 3 Gloucester River General trout stream Hunter River Upstream of Sharpes Creek* junction General trout stream see table 3 Upstream of Pages Creek junction Goodradigbee River see table 3 General trout stream Ingeegoodbe River Upstream of junction with the backed up waters of Burrinjuck Dam General trout stream see table 3 Upstream of Victorian border Googong Dam see table 3 General trout dam Island Bend Dam see table 4 General trout dam Guinecor Creek zeesee table 4 General trout stream Jenolan River (Harrys Creek) Totally Closed Upstream of Wollondilly River junction see table 3 From headwaters to 850m downstream Gosling Creek Reservoir of the spawning pool at Jenolan Caves General trout dam Jounama Pondage See table 4 General trout dam Guthega Lake see table 4 General trout dam Khancoban Creek see table 4 Artificial fly and lure water Guy Fawkes River Upstream from Khancoban Pondage and General trout stream including Broken Back Creek from Murray Upstream of Aberfoyle River junction 2 Pondage wall to junction with see table 3 Khancoban Creek Gwydir River see table 2 General trout stream Upstream of Torryborn Bridge and also Khancoban Pondage downstream from Copeton Dam to General trout dam junction with Dingo Creek (excludes see table 4 Dingo Creek) see table 3 Kowmung River # Happy Jacks Pondage General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of Molong Creek* junction see table 4 see table 3

42 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008

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Trout and salmon D

Kybeyan River MacIntyre River Artificial fly and lure water General trout stream Upstream of Numerella River junction Upstream of road bridge at Elsmore see table 2 see table 3 Lachlan River MacLaughlin River General trout stream Artificial fly and lure water Upstream of Cowra-Young Road bridge Upstream of Snowy River junction see table 3 see table 32 Lake Bathurst Macphersons Swamp Creek General trout dam See table 4 General trout stream Upstream of backed up waters of Lake Canobolas Burrinjuck Dam General trout dam see table 3 see table 4 Macquarie River Lake Crackenback General trout dam General trout stream See table 4 Upstream of Lewis Ponds Creek* junction Lake Jindabyne ## see table 3 General trout dam see table 4 Malpas Dam Lake Lyell General trout dam General trout dam see table 4 see table 4 Manning River Lake Wallace (Wallerawang Dam) General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of Gummi Trail crossing see table 4 see table 3 Lake Williams Marsden Weir General trout dam General trout dam See table 4 see table 4 Laura Creek Meadow (Molong) Creek General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of ford at Baldeslie Station Upstream of Borenore Creek junction see table 3 see table 3 McDonald River Molonglo River General trout stream Upstream of New England Hwy bridge at General trout stream Bendemeer Upstream of railway bridge at Burbong see table 3 see table 3

LEGEND: # note there is a 3 km exclusion zone around Warragamba Dam, ## up to 5 hoop nets to take yabbies permitted ### Artificial fly and lure waters from Saturday October long weekend to 30 April each year inclusive, * also included, ** bait, **artificial fly & lure fishing permitted, *** artificial fly & lure fishing from shore only from 1 hr before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 43

c 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 m 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 y 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 k 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 E Trout and salmon

Moonan Brook Oban (Ann) River General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Hunter River junction Upstream of Sara River junction see table 3 see table 3 Moredun Creek Oberon Dam General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of the ford immediately below see table 4 Limestone Creek junction Omadale Brook see table 3 General trout stream Mowamba (Moonbah) River Upstream of Polblue Creek* junction ArtificialGeneral trout fly andstream lure water see table 3 Upstream of Snowy River junction Paddys River Dam see table 23 General trout dam Mulla Mulla Creek See table 4 General trout stream Pejar Dam Upstream of Cockburn River junction General trout dam see table 3 see table 4 Murray River Queanbeyan River General trout stream Upstream of Tintaldra Road bridge General trouttrout streamdam see table 3 Upstream of junction fence boundary of Murray 2 Pondage Googong Dam Reserve (about 1km downstream of the dam wall) General trout dam see table 34 see table 4 Red Ground Dam (Crookwell water supply) Murrumbidgee River General trout dam General trout stream see table 4 Upstream of Bredbo River junction see table 3 Rossi Weir Myall Creek General trout dam General trout stream see table 4 Upstream of Tuggolo Creek* junction Sawpit Creek Totally closed see table 3 Nowendoc River Serpentine River Totally closed General trout stream The reach of the Serpentine River from Upstream of Nowendoc Falls the top of Serpentine Falls to the see table 3 Lookout Point Road crossing near Dutton Nymboida River Trout Hatchery General trout stream Sheba Dams Upstream of Wild Cattle Creek* junction General trout dam see table 3 see table 4 Oaky River Shoalhaven River General trout stream General trout stream Upstream of Oaky River Dam backed up Upstream of Mongarlowe River* waters junction see table 3 see table 3

44 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Trout and salmon D

Snowy River Tod Kill Park Dam General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of Victorian border See table 4 see table 3 Tooma Dam Styx River General trout dam General trout stream see table 4 Upstream of Armidale-Bellbrook Road Tumut Ponds see Table 3 General trout dam Swampy Plains River see table 4 GeneralArtificial trout fly streamand lure water Tumut River Upstream of Murray & Indi Rivers General trout stream junction to upstream boundary of Upstream of Murrumbidgee River Khancoban Station junction see Table 23 see table 3 Swanbrook Creek Tumut 2 Pondage General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of Kings Plains Road near see table 4 Inverell Tuross River see table 3 General trout stream Talbingo Dam Upstream of Tuross Falls General trout dam see table 3 see table 4 Wellingrove Creek Tantangara Dam General trout stream General trout dam Upstream of Gwydir Hwy bridge see table 4 see table 3 Thompsons Creek Dam *** Wentworth Falls Lake Artificial fly and lure waters General trout dam see table 2 see table 4 Thredbo River ### Wildes Meadow Creek Trout spawning stream and artificial fly Artificial fly and lure water and lure water Upstream of backed up waters of Fitzroy All Thredbo River except for a signposted Falls Reservoir 2.4km reach at Gaden Trout Hatchery see table 2 which is totally closed Wollondilly River # see tables 1 and 2 General trout stream Three Mile Dam Upstream of Tarlo River* junction General trout dam see table 3 see table 4

LEGEND: # note there is a 3 km exclusion zone around Warragamba Dam, ## up to 5 hoop nets to take yabbies permitted ### Artificial fly and lure waters from Saturday October long weekend to 30 April each year inclusive, * also included, ** bait, ** artificial fly & lure fishing permitted, *** artificial fly & lure fishing from shore only from 1 hr before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 45 E Trout and salmon

Notified trout water classifications

Table 1 – TROUT SPAWNING STREAMS Table 3 – GENERAL TROUT STREAMS Fishing season 1 May to end June long Fishing season Saturday morning October weekend (artificial fly and long weekend to Monday lure waters from Saturday night June long weekend. October long weekend to 30 Permitted gear 1 attended rod and line with April each year inclusive). no more than 2 hooks Permitted gear 1 attended rod and line with attached. Bait fishing up to 2 hooks with artificial allowed. flies or lures. Gear rigged for bait fishing is prohibited.

Table 2 – ARTIFICIAL FLY and LURE WATERS Table 4 – GENERAL TROUT DAMS Fishing season Saturday morning October Fishing season All year long weekend to Monday Permitted gear 2 attended rods each with a night June long weekend+. line and no more than 3 Permitted gear 1 attended rod and line with hooks attached. Bait fishing up to 2 hooks with artificial allowed. flies or lures++. +Except Thompsons Creek dam and Black lake which are open all year. ++Or up to 3 hooks with artificial flies or lures at Thompsons Creek dam and Black Lake

Some areas are closed to fishing. Refer to the tables on pages 28 and 29 for a list of closed waters.

46 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Trout and salmon D

Illegal fishing methods in E Use salmon roe or products containing notified trout waters them. A number of new fishing rules have been In addition to specific trout water introduced this season to ensure trout prohibitions and permitted gear fishing remains a sport where wild and restrictions, illegal fishing methods which stocked populations of fish in rivers, lakes apply to general freshwater fishing also and dams across the state are not over apply in notified trout waters. Unless exploited. In the new rules the number of otherwise stated it is also illegal to: trout water categories have been E Use spearguns, spears, bows and simplified. arrows, poison or explosives or Artificial lure and fly waters incorporate firearms to take fish. the former blue ribbon streams, catch and E Jag or foul hook fish. release streams, trophy trout dams and E Use frogs, live finfish (including carp), trout spawning streams. live birds or live animals as bait. General trout waters incorporate the E Use any traps, or nets not permitted former general trout streams and dams, for recreational use, or to sell your where bait fishing is allowed. catch Fishers need to be aware of both new E Keep prohibited size fish – they should and existing fishing laws. It is illegal to: be returned to the water immediately E Take, or attempt to take, Murray with as little harm as possible crayfish in notified trout waters. E Fillet or cut up a fish that has a bag or E Use a setline, hand-held lines, traps, size limit if you are in, on or adjacent to nets, a light, a hand or gaff to take the water although you can gill, gut and trout or salmon in notified trout waters scale them. unless otherwise stated.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 47 E Trout and salmon

Trout and salmon fishing species Brown trout Rainbow trout

Imported from England, the brown trout A native of North America, the rainbow is possibly the most important sport fish trout was released into NSW waters introduced to Australia. It is commonly several years after the brown trout. The found in cool waters with moderate to swift rainbow trout is a spectacular fighting fish flow and also in cool, clear lakes. One of the but easier to catch than the brown trout. great sporting fish, stocks are maintained Although known to reach more than 18kg, solely for fishing by release of hatchery- fish larger than 4kg are exceptional. reared stock. It is prized as cunning and Colour varies from silver to pale difficult to catch. It can weigh up to 14kg but olive-brown overall and is darker along most are caught below 3kg. the back. The fish has spots on head, Colour can vary depending on factors body, dorsal and caudal fins which can such as age and habitat. It is generally sometimes be inconspicuous along the silver through brown to olive overall but sides but typically has a red or orange darker along the back. Dark spots are patch on the gill cover which extends as present along the back and sides but these a stripe along the mid-line. can sometimes be indistinct. Most spots are surrounded by a pale halo and are often red below the mid-line.

Brook trout Atlantic salmon

Brook trout were introduced from North Salmon are a native of European and North America in the early 1900s. Populations American rivers draining into the northern are maintained by stocking of hatchery- Atlantic Ocean, it has adapted to some reared fish. The brook trout is much large impoundments in Australia but no smaller than other trout species, usually wild populations occur since most of the weighing in at approximately 2kg but it has natural life cycle is spent at sea. In been known to approach 6.5kg in Australia. Australian waters the Atlantic salmon Brook trout are easily recognised by a seldom exceeds 6kg but is considered a large mouth which extends beyond the great sport fish. level of the eye. It has an olive-green The fish is silvery overall, bluish to background body colour with pale olive-brown dorsally with a white belly vermiculations and spots. The pelvic, and a few dark spots usually confined to pectoral and anal fins are dark grey with the upper sides. The fins are a dusky grey. a prominent white anterior margin.

48 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E Hatcheries and stocking

Fish hatcheries and fish stocking Native fish stocking into earthen ponds which recreate as Funds from the recreational fishing fee much as possible their natural brood have been allocated to the NSW DPI fish environment. The ponds are aerated with hatcheries at Narrandera and Port paddle wheels and the brood fish feed on Stephens to produce more native fish for native vegetation, zooplankton and small public stocking. Breeding of Australian crustaceans which grow in the ponds, as native species for government stockings well as live food such as gudgeons, was first conducted at the Narrandera yabbies, shrimps, rainbow fish and herring. Fisheries Centre during 1961/62, following A good diet, based on natural food construction of the facility in 1960.The first sources, is vital to the health of the native species to be successfully reared was fish and to the production of large golden perch, now the most stocked native amounts of high quality ova during species in NSW. spawning. Other species produced for stocking The hatchery at Port Stephens supplies are the highly prized Murray cod and silver Australian bass for stock enhancement of perch. Trout cod are also produced as an public dams and lakes across the east important part of the recovery program for coast of NSW. Cultivation of bass this endangered species. Approximately fingerlings involves stocking larvae into two million golden perch, Murray cod and small tanks and manually feeding the silver perch are stocked into inland rivers larvae with specially grown live feeds such and dams each year. as rotifers and brine shrimp. Larvae are Brood fish at Narrandera are released also reared in earthen ponds.

50 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 E Hatcheries and stocking

The ponds are filled with brackish Stocking figures for the dollar-for-dollar water, fertilised to promote a plankton native fish stocking program bloom and newly hatched larvae are added directly to the pond where they feed on 2002/03: 684,000 plankton. After 30-60 days the ponds are 2003/04: 990,820 drained and fingerlings are harvested for 2004/05: 882,344 stocking. 2005/06: 923,682 Funds from the recreational fishing fee 2006/07: 907,515 also support the community based dollar- for-dollar native fish stocking scheme. This program matches the monies raised by Government stocking figures for native fish community groups to stock their local for the past five years waterways with native fish. Dollar-for-dollar 2002/03: 2,316,917 funding is available for Murray cod and 2003/04: 2,994,100 golden perch in western drainage 2004/05: 2,823,200 stockings and Australian bass for eastern drainage stockings. 2005/06: 2,775,411 2006/07: 1,466,961

52 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Hatcheries and stocking D

Trout and salmon water. Trout ova is obtained from wild The department operates two trout stocks of rainbow and brown trout trapped hatcheries located at Jindabyne (Gaden in the river. Brook trout and Atlantic Trout Hatchery) and Ebor (Dutton Trout salmon are produced from captive brood Hatchery) near Armidale. The hatcheries stock held in ponds at the hatchery. are responsible for the production of trout Approximately two million trout and fry and fingerlings for stocking into rivers, salmon fry and fingerlings are produced streams and dams across NSW for the each year for stocking into the Snowy benefit of the angling public. Mountains, southern highlands and central Gaden Trout Hatchery was named after tablelands areas. A percentage of the Jim Gaden, a pioneer of trout fingerlings are clipped on a different fin acclimatisation in the Monaro region. each year to enable identification and Chosen for its proximity to the Thredbo assessment of the success of the stocking River in 1953, the facility was built on the program. Fin clipped fish from previous banks of one of the country’s most reliable years regularly appear in the fish trap and pristine water supplies. The hatchery during spawning. was the first in Australia to breed Atlantic Dutton Trout Hatchery is located in the salmon and stock from the hatchery New England tablelands on the Serpentine formed the basis for the multi-million dollar River. The hatchery is named after Leslie Tasmanian Atlantic salmon aquaculture Dutton, the first person to build a trout industry developed in the 1980s. hatchery in the New England region near Today the Thredbo River still provides a Guyra in 1925, which produced more than constant supply of good quality, cold 200,000 trout fry in its first year of

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 53 E Hatcheries and stocking

operation. The hatchery was opened in 1952 and operated by the New England Trout Acclimatisation Society until 1959 when the NSW Government assumed control. Today the hatchery produces approximately two million brown trout and rainbow trout fry for restocking. Rainbow trout are produced from captive brood fish held in ponds at the facility. Approximately half a million brown trout ova stripped from wild-caught stock at Gaden Hatchery are supplied to Dutton each year for rearing to fry stage and release. Fish releases are carried out in conjunction with five acclimatisation societies: New England Trout Acclimatisation Society; the Central Acclimatisation Society; Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society; the Monaro Acclimatisation Society and the Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs and their affiliated organisations, into waters approved for stocking under the fisheries management and snowy lakes strategies. The societies, which are voluntary stocking environment. These include goldfish, groups, are formally recognised under common carp, European carp, redfin legislation and have an operating history perch, gambusia, tilapia and weatherloach. dating back over eighty years. Heavy penalties apply to the stocking of these species. Total trout and salmon stocking figures for the last five years: Hatchery tours 2002/03: 4,907,625 Visitors can experience the fascinating 2003/04: 4,581,397 hatchery work first-hand through daily guided tours. Attractions include feeding 2004/05: 4,245,654 large breeding specimens as they surface 2005/06: 3,921,400 in a network of broodstock ponds, 2006/07: 3,347,550 aquarium displays and audio-visual shows. Individual and group visitors are welcome. Educational tours can be organised for Fish stocking policy schools. A small admission fee applies. A stocking permit must be obtained from For more information or to book a tour NSW Department of Primary Industries prior please call: to the release of any fish into public waters. E Gaden Hatchery Permits are issued free of charge but certain (Snowy Mountains) 02 6451 3400 conditions must be met. E LP Dutton Hatchery To apply for a fish stocking permit, (New England tablelands) 02 6775 9139 please call 02 6765 4591. E John Lake Centre You cannot stock fish known to be (Narrandera) 02 6959 9021 harmful to both native fish and the

54 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Threatened and protected species D

Threatened species eastern cod as a catch and release species at any time. To protect breeding Eastern cod, all Fisheries legislation in NSW provides fishing is prohibited between August and comprehensive protection of all October inclusive in the Mann River and its threatened fish and marine vegetation tributaries upstream of its junction with native to the state’s waters. A threatened the Clarence River and including the species is one which is rare and numbers Nymboida River and its tributaries from its are declining to a point where it is likely to junction with the Mann River upstream to become extinct. Other species which are Platypus Flat, excluding notified trout naturally rare, but with stable numbers, waters. are protected. It is illegal to harm or possess threatened and protected species Trout cod and severe penalties can apply. It is also Once widespread throughout the lower an offence to damage the habitat of a Murray-Darling system but only two natural threatened species. If protected or breeding populations remain. A threatened fish are caught, they must be comprehensive recovery plan to restore returned to the water with as little harm as populations is being implemented. Anglers possible. reports indicate the re-establishment As threatened species schedules efforts showing encouraging results with can be subject to amendment you good populations in once extinct areas. can check current listings on Trout cod have the following features website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or by which distinguish the species from Murray contacting 1300 550 474. Help increase cod: knowledge of these species by reporting sightings on 02 4916 3877; e-mail [email protected] or online at convex forehead www.dpi.nsw.gov.au overhanging spotted marking upper jaw Eastern (freshwater) cod

Trout cod

The eastern cod was once common in concave forehead north-eastern NSW but wild-spawned fish shorter snout are now considered rare. A comprehensive recovery plan to restore populations is being implemented. Eastern cod are similar to Murray cod and Mary River cod. They can vary from mosaic or marbled marking pale green to golden with heavy black or Murray cod green reticulated mottling. The pelvic fin is clear and relatively long. The lower jaw protrudes. It is not permitted to target

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 55 E Threatened and protected species

E Grey colour with well defined dark Silver perch spots and dashed markings, whereas Murray cod are generally greenish with dark marbled markings. E The snout and upper jaw is usually longer than the lower jaw. In Murray cod the jaws are level or the lower jaw longer. E The forehead profile is straight or Also see page 35. Silver perch are native slightly convex in trout cod, whereas to the Murray-Darling Basin and were once Murray cod have a slightly concave common throughout most of the region. forehead profile. However, they have suffered a dramatic E The snout and forehead of trout cod decline in abundance and distribution. Only are usually clear of any markings. a few self-sustaining populations remain. The most abundant of these occurs in the Murray River downstream of Yarrawonga Weir. The department stocks a number of dams with silver perch each year. Fishing is allowed for these stocked fish in the dams listed on page 36.

River blackfish Can occur in many western flowing streams in NSW but its range is Macquarie perch considerably reduced, particularly at the Macquarie perch are found in the upper extremities of its former distribution. They Murray-Murrumbidgee, coastal Shoalhaven are particularly susceptible to silltation in and Nepean river systems. One of the few their preferred small upland stream native species which can live and breed in habitats. With no parental care, eggs cold, fast flowing, mountain streams. It is which become covered with silt are likely believed populations have declined due to to die. Increased sediment levels can also habitat change and diseases carried by kill juveniles. introduced species such as redfin perch. Colour can vary from pale olive green or Colour can vary significantly between yellow/brown to almost black on back and populations and may range from almost sides with numerous, irregular, darker black through silver-grey to off-white. The blotches. species can be best distinguished from Fishing for river blackfish is prohibited in golden perch by the following features: all waters in NSW. E A large eye surrounded by white colouring. E The jaws are of equal length, whereas golden perch have a slightly protruding lower jaw. E Less pronounced arching of the back of the head behind the eyes, whereas golden perch have a strongly arched back of the head.

56 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Threatened and protected species D

Other freshwater species the waters of Victoria and Tasmania. Before A number of smaller fish species are listed population numbers declined they were a as threatened in NSW. However, popular fishing species. Numbers of freshwater fishers are unlikely to Australian grayling have declined to the encounter them when carrying out normal point where they are considered near to a fishing activities. Some of the species are: threatened classification. They are E Oxylean pygmy perch. currently a protected species with a total E Murray hardyhead. ban on harvesting or harming them. E Southern pygmy perch. E Olive perchlet (western population). E Purple spotted gudgeon (western population).

Reasons for population decline include impacts from barriers to migration, river flow regulation, habitat degradation and possibly predation by introduced species. Grayling migrate between fresh and saltwater. At the larvae stage they are Oxylean pygmy perch swept to sea and return later as whitebait. You may accidentally catch this fish on bait Protected species and fly but it will not readily take larger lures used for Australian bass. Australian grayling The Australian grayling is found in the southern coastal rivers of NSW as well as

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 57 E Conserving aquatic habitats

No habitat – No fish Healthy and diverse habitats mean healthy and diverse fish populations: a must if fishers want to catch fish. Habitats are places where fish live, migrate to and from, feed and breed. Examples include rivers, creeks, billabongs, impoundments and wetlands. Habitat features such as deep pools, snags, aquatic plants, gravel beds, bank overhangs and vegetation are particularly important for shelter, food and breeding sites. Just like people, fish also need to be able to access habitat. However fish can often be stopped by poorly designed road crossings, block banks, dams and weirs. Fish habitats in some areas of NSW are under pressure and have been lost or degraded to the point where they no longer can support healthy and diverse native fish populations. NSW DPI is working with many individuals, angling clubs, land holders, catchment management authorities, councils and other groups to protect and rehabilitate fish habitat and to assist the recovery of native fish stocks. Look after fish habitats: They make more fish…naturally.

Department initiatives NSW DPI aims to conserve the aquatic environment in a way which allows fish to complete their lifecycles and maintain healthy populations while at the same time enhancing over-all river health and supporting recreational fishing activities. This is carried out in a number of ways: E Commenting on all proposed developments that might affect aquatic habitats and ensuring they are conducted in accordance with aquatic habitat protection legislation and policy. E Initiating projects with partners, such as fishing clubs, local councils and

58 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Conserving aquatic habitats D

community groups, catchment What can Fishers do? management authorities and others to E Use designated access sites for your rehabilitate degraded habitats. fishing. This avoids damage to banks E Facilitating the construction of and vegetation. appropriately designed fishways and E When over aquatic vegetation either removal of redundant weirs. drift fish or place anchors within an E Assisting in the development of open area or sand/gravel patch. appropriate water sharing plans and E Travel at low speeds near river banks to environmental flow rules that benefit prevent undermining by boat wakes. fish. E Snags are for fish, not for firewood. E Influencing other natural resource E Do not litter, take all rubbish home. management planning processes that E Take care not to transport fish, water or affect fish and aquatic habitats to ensure weeds from one waterway to another. they are considered and protected. E Never release aquarium fish into a waterway or drain.

THREAT TO FISH HABITAT SOLUTIONS SUPPORTED BY NSW DPI Water pollution E Better management of catchments. E Limiting stock access to waterways and wetlands. E Better treatment and disposal of stormwater and wastewater. E River regulation and water extraction control. E Protecting and releasing environmental flows in order to restore natural flow variation. Blocking fish passage E Ensuring new developments do not impact on fish passage. E Removal or modification of barriers such as weirs, floodgates, road crossings. Cold water pollution E Using multi-level outlets and other technologies on dams to allow water release from warmer surface layers. E Using devices to de-stratify water in dams. Removal of shelter E Re-introducing snags. E Protection and rehabilitation of riparian (streambank) vegetation. Destruction of breeding E Ensuring new developments do not impact or nursery areas on fish habitats. E Protecting gravel beds and aquatic vegetation from sedimentation or removal. E Restoring wetlands and flooding regimes. E Re-introducing snags. Reduction in habitat diversity E Ensuring new developments do not impact on fish habitats. E Strategic habitat rehabilitation programs.

Information on these issues is available from local fisheries offices and at website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 59 E Conserving aquatic habitats

E Get your friends or local fishing club remove obstacles to fish movement and involved in restoring fish habitat. rehabilitate riverbanks by removing weeds Contact NSW DPI to find out how to and replanting native vegetation along help and also access funding. hundreds of kilometres of river and to reintroduce large woody debris in some Fishing clubs, councils, Landcare groups river areas to create habitat for native fish. and others have been funded through the A small number of Trust funded research Recreational Fishing Trusts to undertake projects have investigated fish passage habitat restoration programs along their design and methods for improving water local waterway. The community can apply flows to wetlands. These projects have for Recreational Fishing Trust funds at any resulted in improvements to the aquatic time to rehabilitate fish habitats, remove environment that will ultimately benefit barriers to fish movement, plant native recreational fishing. trees and remove exotic vegetation along NSW DPI produces Newstreams, a waterways. For more information, call free, bi-monthly, electronic newsletter to 1300 550 474 or check out our website at keep people up to date with aquatic www.dpi.nsw.gov.au. habitat activities. To subscribe, e-mail So far Trust funds have been used to [email protected] and rehabilitate hundreds of hectares of register. floodplain and freshwater wetlands,

60 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Conserving aquatic habitats/Pest species D

Reporting suspected illegal activities Pest species Telephone 1300 550 474 to report any Pest species threaten biodiversity by suspected illegal activities such as: competing for food, occupying same E Machinery working in waterways. habitats and/or preying on native species. E Drains being dug through wetlands. Be on the lookout and report any E Snags being relocated or removed. sightings of pest species on NSW DPI E New weirs, dams or causeways across 24-hour aquatic pests line 02 4916 3877 or waterways. e-mail [email protected] E New bed or bank stabilisation works within a waterway. Redfin (English perch) E New waterfront structures such as Redfin is a medium sized fish native to jetties and boat ramps being northern Europe which has been constructed. introduced to Australian waters and is E Discharge of pollutants into waterways. believed responsible in part, for population E Clearing of riverbank or aquatic decline in a number of native species. They vegetation. are voracious predators of other fish and

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 61 E Fishcare volunteer program

can destroy recreational fisheries by both Carp (European carp) building up numbers in stunted individuals and elimination of other species. Redfin can also devastate native fish populations by carrying the serious disease EHN virus.

A moderate size, relatively elongated fish, redfin can be distinguished by the following features: E The tail is slightly forked. In high densities carp can contribute to E Two distinctly separate dorsal fins, the increased water turbidity, nutrient loads first with a distinct rear black blotch. and algal concentrations. They also play a E Six or more broad black vertical bands part in erosion of stream banks as well as across the back tapering on the sides. reductions in the numbers and diversity of E The pelvic and anal fins plus the lower aquatic plants, native fish and macro- margin of the tail are bright reddish invertebrates. orange. Along with habitat degradation, poor E Olive green to grey on back, greenish water quality, reduced environmental flows to silvery on sides with white belly. and barriers to migration, carp have been identified as a major threat to Australia’s freshwater fisheries. They should not be returned to the water alive and strict penalties apply for translocation of carp. Live carp may not be used as bait. Carp vary from olive green or yellow green to golden overall and have silver to yellow markings on the underside. Regardless of their fighting ability and Mirrored specimens with enlarged silver good eating qualities redfin are considered scales along the sides and back can also a serious pest in NSW. be present in wild populations. E Don’t transfer redfin between waterways or introduce them into farm Translocation by fishers dams. Pests and diseases can be spread by E Don’t use redfin as live bait. It is illegal careless fishing practices. For instance, carp and risks infecting new areas with the and goldfish have been illegally spread for species. use as target species or as bait and diseases E Don’t return redfin to the water. Keep carried by introduced species have also all redfin you catch. spread to native fish. Exotic pests and E Prevent unwanted hitchhikers. Keep viruses can also be introduced through boats and trailers free of weed to imported seafood products used as bait. prevent spread of eggs or juveniles. Such practices can have a devastating effect. E Assist in restoring rivers. This helps To limit the spread of pests and disease it is native species out-compete redfin and illegal to use live fish as bait in freshwaters other pest fish. and strict penalties apply to the translocation E report any sightings of redfin outside of pest species. their known distribution by telephoning 02 4916 3877 (24 hour recorded line) or email: [email protected]

62 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Fishcare volunteers D

Fishcare volunteer program Take a kid fishing! Fishcare volunteers are community The department runs numerous children’s members involved in face to face fishing workshops across the state with education of the recreational fishing help from fisheries officers, fishcare community. Volunteers donate their time volunteers, community groups and fishing and effort promoting awareness and club members. The workshops are an advising fishers about the rules and excellent way for kids to learn hands-on values of sustainable recreational fishing. fishing techniques such as casting, basic Volunteers work to educate only: they knot tying and rigging. Fishing clinics teach have no enforcement powers. young people about good fishing practices Volunteers assist in a range of activities and about the importance of protecting such as fishing workshops, catch surveys, fishing resources for future generations. community fishing events and volunteer Children also learn about threatened species training. The volunteers are easily and aquatic habitats. For more information identified by their bright blue uniforms. contact your local fisheries office or call the If you wish to become part of this information number on 1300 550 474. successful and expanding community program, contact the State Coordinator on (02) 9527 8411, or visit our website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 63 E Fisheries officers

Fisheries officers in the field more often, with better Fisheries officers play an important part in equipment to detect and deter illegal helping our fisheries resources remain activity. sustainable into the future. They advise Reporting illegal activities recreational and commercial fishers and the Report illegal or suspect fishing activities general community of fishing rules and to the nearest fisheries office or Fishers restrictions, and patrol NSW waters to Watch Phoneline on free call ensure everyone is abiding by the State’s 1800 043 536. fisheries laws. When lodging a report please provide Fisheries officers patrol our inland rivers, the following information: streams and dams as well as our coastal E type of activity estuaries, lakes and offshore waters seven E time, date and location of activity days a week. You’ll see fisheries officers at E number of people involved, identity if boat ramps, on beaches, in vessels and just known, and descriptions about everywhere there are fishers. They E registration numbers of any boats or deal with recreational fishers, commercial cars involved and their descriptions fishers and fish farmers. They also assist E your own name and contact details to with conservation issues and educational further substantiate your report and programs. Most fisheries officers are keen provide you with follow up information fishers and are happy to provide you with local knowledge and tips for a given area. All information provided will be treated, Your fishing fee is being used in part to and remain, absolutely confidential. improve freshwater compliance operations. Where an immediate response is not Funds have also been dedicated for the possible due to conduct of other lease of new patrol vehicles as well as to operations or safety considerations, purchase vessels and communications information received will be used in equipment. In essence this means there is targeting on-going surveillance and increased compliance service with officers enforcement activities.

64 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Consuming your catch D

Consuming your catch substances from the water they filter Many people enjoy eating their catch. If during feeding. E you intend to do so, you should ensure it Shellfish collected by recreational is handled correctly to avoid the possibility fishers should never be eaten raw. E of illness. This means immediately chilling If you do collect shellfish for eating, your catch with ice and always keeping it never collect them after rainfall, from covered and cold. water affected by algae blooms or if the Mercury can occur naturally in large area is closed to harvesting shellfish. E predatory fish. For health reasons Food Boiling will not kill biotoxins already in Standards Australia New Zealand advises shellfish pregnant women and young children up to 6 years to consume not more than one What are Shellfish? serving of fish such as shark and billfish Creatures such as freshwater and saltwater per fortnight with no other fish to be mussels, oysters, pipis and cockles are consumed during that period. sometimes referred to as bivalve molluscs For more information visit Food or shellfish. They feed by filtering and Standards Australia New Zealand website eating nutrients found in water. at www.foodstandards.gov.au Why can they cause poisoning? Recreational harvesting of shellfish Because shellfish are filter feeders, they Fast facts occasionally accumulate harmful E Shellfish are filter feeders and they substances such as biotoxins and sometimes accumulate harmful microorganisms from the water they filter

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 65 E Consuming your catch

during feeding. Biotoxins are harmful How can I reduce the risk of food natural substances produced by some poisoning from shellfish I harvest? types of algae which could be present in If you do collect shellfish for eating, you waterways. should never collect shellfish: Biotoxins can cause symptoms ranging After rainfall. Periods after rainfall are from diarrhoea to severe respiratory and especially high risk for shellfish collection. neurological problems. Harmful Waiting several days after water has microorganisms such as viruses and cleared (the muddy look has gone) bacteria might be present in waterways following rainfall will reduce the risk of due to run-off from the land, especially bacterial and viral contamination. after heavy rainfall. From water affected by algae blooms. Algae can appear as red water What about commercially discolourations, including green, yellow, harvested shellfish? brownish and an oily or milky appearance. In NSW, commercially harvested shellfish Other blooms can show no discolouration must comply with a comprehensive food but be highly toxic at low levels. Always safety program. check signs and local media for information The program is controlled through the on algal alerts. NSW Shellfish Program administered by If the area is closed to shellfish the NSW Food Authority and is a harvesting by NSW DPI. requirement of the Food Production For further information on NSW DPI (Seafood Safety Scheme) Regulation 2001. closures contact 1300 550 474 or visit the In essence it assists commercial website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au. harvesters in controlling the risks associated with harmful substances in Boiling Shellfish will not order to safeguard public health. kill biotoxins! It is important to remember that boiling What’s the problem if I collect shellfish? will not destroy or remove biotoxins which Shellfish collected by recreational fishers might be present in shellfish. Eating should never be eaten raw. This is because shellfish contaminated with biotoxins may recreationally harvested shellfish are not result in serious illness or death. subject to the same strict food safety controls as commercially harvested This information is provided by the product. Consequently, the NSW Food NSW Food Authority. Authority recommends eating only For more information phone 1300 552 406, shellfish harvested commercially under a email: [email protected] recognised Program. or visit www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au

66 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008 Inland offices contact details D

Inland offices

Area Address Phone

Central Tablelands Research Station Drive, Bathurst, 2795 02 6331 1428

Far West 425 Blende Street, Broken Hill, 2880 08 8087 6483

Hume 3/556 Macauley Street, Albury, 2640 02 6042 4228

Lower Murray Agricultural Research and Advisory Station,

Silver City Highway, Dareton, 2717 03 5019 8400

Macquarie 30 Warne Street, Wellington, 2820 02 6845 4438

Monaro Kosciusko Road, Jindabyne, 2627 02 6451 3404

Narrandera Buckingbong Road, Narrandera, 2700 02 6959 9066

New England 127 Otho Street, Inverell, 2360 02 6722 1129

Peel 72 Gunnedah Road, Tamworth, 2340 02 6765 4591

Riverina 449 Charlotte Street, Deniliquin, 2710 03 5881 6036

Tumut 64 Fitzroy Street, Tumut, 2720 02 6947 9028

Yass 25 Warroo Road, Yass, 2582 02 6226 3867

As officers spend a lot of time in the field, office hours vary. It is best to call before visiting any office.

For general fishing information, call the information line on 1300 550 474 or visit the website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Please report illegal fishing activities to your local fisheries office or call the Fishers’ Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536.

2008 NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 67