Riverina recreational fishing guide

November 2014 Primefact 1041 Second edition Recreational and Indigenous All calls will be treated as confidential and you Fisheries Unit can remain anonymous.

Introduction Recreational Fishing Fee Our State's fisheries are a community-owned When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater resource. We all have a responsibility to protect and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the and safeguard this natural asset for present and NSW recreational fishing fee and carry a receipt future generations. showing the payment of the fee. This applies Fishing regulations are in place to protect and when spear fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, conserve our fish stocks and aquatic habitats to trapping, bait collecting and prawn netting or ensure that fishing activities remain sustainable. when in possession of fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters. The District takes in the lower , the lower , the Murray All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing River and the entire river systems of the Edward, fee is spent on improving recreational fishing in and Niemur Rivers. Permanent creek NSW. Some projects include: systems within the Riverina District also include • Angler facilities such as fish cleaning tables Old Man Creek, , Colombo, Billabong, and fishing platforms. , Gulpa, Tuppal, Yallakool and Merran Creeks. • Stocking of freshwater fish in dams and rivers. These rivers and creeks provide an abundance of excellent fishing and camping opportunities and • Essential research on popular recreational are regularly stocked with Murray cod, and fish species. golden and silver perch. • Enhancing compliance with fishing rules. Murray crayfish, Euastacus armatus, are found in • Restoring important fish habitat. the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers and their tributaries. Fishing for Murray crayfish is a • Research stocking of mulloway and prawns popular pastime in the winter months. in estuaries. Fisheries Officers from NSW Department of • The installation of fish aggregating devices Primary Industries (NSW DPI) routinely patrol (FADs) to enhance fishing opportunities for waterways, boat ramps and impoundments dolphin fish or even tuna and marlin. advising anglers about responsible fishing • Creation of Recreational Fishing Havens. practices and ensuring compliance with NSW fishing regulations. • Angler education and advisory programs such as the Fishcare Volunteer Program, Information on bag and size limits, fishing fishing workshops and fishing guides. closures and legal fishing gear can be obtained free of charge from the NSW DPI website • Building artificial reefs in Lake Macquarie, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries, by calling 1300 Botany Bay, St Georges Basin and Lake 550 474, or by visiting your local NSW DPI Conjola. More reefs in other estuaries are fisheries office. planned. To report illegal fishing activity, call your local • Investigating the building of artificial reefs in fisheries office or the Fishers Watch Phoneline offshore areas. on 1800 043 536.

Riverina recreational fishing guide

You can pay the NSW recreational fishing fee at Stevens Weir. The following waters are closed to hundreds of agents throughout NSW, such as the taking of all species of fish by all methods of over the counter at most fishing tackle shops. fishing: the within 80 m upstream You can also pay the fee at some caravan parks, and 70 m downstream of the weir face. local shops and service stations, many Kmart Weir No. 5 -Redbank Weir. The following waters stores, online at www.licence.nsw.gov.au or by are closed to the taking of all species of fish by all calling 1300 369 365. methods of fishing: the Murrumbidgee River If you pay for a one year or three year period within 93 m upstream and 92 m downstream of online, over the phone or at a Touch agent, or if the weir face. you renew your licence using your renewal letter, Weir No. 7 - Maude Weir. The following waters you will receive a plastic receipt in the post. are closed to the taking of all species of fish by all Evidence of payment is your receipt number methods of fishing: the Murrumbidgee River which you must be able to produce if requested within 70 m upstream and 50 m downstream of by an authorised officer (until you receive your the weir face. receipt in the post). Weir. The following waters are closed Note: If you pay for a 3 day or 1 month period, no to the taking of all species of fish by all methods additional receipt will be posted. of fishing: the Murrumbidgee River within 94 m Some exemptions apply to paying the fishing fee, upstream and 63 m downstream of the weir face. including people under the age of 18 and holders Hay Weir. The following waters are closed to the of pensioner concession cards. For further taking of all species of fish by all methods of information on exemptions visit the NSW DPI fishing: the Murrumbidgee River within 74 metres website or your local fisheries office. upstream from where the weir wall adjoins the You may not need to pay the NSW recreational northern bank and 140 metres upstream from fishing fee if you are fishing on a charter boat where the weir wall adjoins the southern bank under the supervision of a fishing guide. Please and 154 metres downstream. check with the charter operator, or guide, before Torrumbarry (Weir 26). The following waters are you go fishing. If they do not hold a Recreational closed to the taking of all species of fish by all Fishing Fee Exemption Certificate you will need methods of fishing: the within 100 m to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee. upstream and 100 m downstream of the weir face. Recreational Fishing Closures Weir closures General freshwater fishing rules The following waters are closed to the taking of Permitted fishing gear and methods all species of fish by all methods of fishing: Lines. Two attended lines are permitted in all Lachlan River – Brewster Weir. That part of the non-tidal waters other than in some trout waters. Lachlan River within 100 metres downstream of Attended lines must be within 50m, in your sight, the weir face of Brewster Weir (main weir). and have no more than 2 hooks per line with up to 3 treble hooks attached to any lure per line Lachlan River – Brewster Weir (Outlet other than in some trout waters. A lure is Regulator). That part of the Lachlan River within considered a single hook. Setlines are not 100 downstream of the outer wall of the outlet permitted. regulator at Brewster Weir. Traps and nets. You may use up to 5 yabby Lachlan River – Lake Brewster (Ballyrogan traps, 1 shrimp trap and 5 hoop (lift) nets, other Channel). That part of the Ballyrogan Channel than in trout waters where the use of traps and within 100 metres downstream of the outer wall nets is prohibited (except when using up to 5 of the outlet regulator at Lake Brewster. hoop nets in Googong Dam or Lakes Lyell, Willandra Weir. That part of the Lachlan River Wallace, Eucumbene or Jindabyne to take within 100 metres downstream of the weir face at yabbies). Willandra Weir.

2 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015 Riverina recreational fishing guide

Persons must not set traps or nets for longer than Note: The specified waters include all tributaries, 24 hours without lifting those traps or nets. lakes, lagoons, dams, reservoirs, ponds, canals, Fishers are encouraged to regularly check set channels or waterways of the main channels of fishing gear, to ensure that any unwanted catch the above rivers, except Old Man Creek, which is is returned to the water safely, unharmed. a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River. The use of yabby traps are not permitted in any Australian bass and estuary perch. May not be waters east of the Newell Highway, the Murray taken in rivers except rivers above River from the Newell Highway at impoundments from 1 May to 31 August downstream to the Echuca road bridge, the (inclusive) in each year other than by catch and Edward River from the Murray River at Picnic release fishing, where any fish caught must be Point downstream to Stevens Weir and the returned to the water safely, unharmed. Murrumbidgee River from to the road bridge. Prohibited fishing methods See the Freshwater Recreational Fishing Guide • It is illegal to use setlines, spear guns, for information on how to correctly identify nets spears, poison or explosives or firearms to and traps and their specifications and dimensions take fish, to use a gaff to take fish, to jag or foul hook fish, to use frogs, live finfish Bowfishing. A pilot program permitting (including carp), live birds or live animals as bowfishing in some specific areas will be bait, or any traps or nets not permitted for implemented in 2015 (see www.dpi.nsw.gov.au recreational use, or to sell your catch. It is for more information). illegal to keep prohibited size fish – they should be returned to the water immediately Species restrictions with as little harm as possible. (Tandanus Freshwater catfish – eel tailed • Crayfish: It is illegal to remove heads, tails tandanus). May not be taken by any fishing and claws from crayfish or possess tails and method in western flowing rivers. May be taken or claws when you are in, on or adjacent to from the backed up waters of listed western the water. This rule does not apply if the impoundments, eastern rivers & eastern dams. crayfish are being prepared for immediate Listed waters in the Central Tablelands district consumption, are being prepared for are: Ben Chifley Dam, Windamere Dam and immediate use as bait, if the crayfish are . See the Freshwater recreational being cleaned at a fish cleaning facility or a fishing guide for further details. fish cleaning table at a boat ramp. It is also Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). May not be illegal to keep crayfish with eggs or to taken by any fishing method in any rivers. May be remove those eggs. taken from the backed up waters of listed • Trout and Salmon: It is illegal to use a impoundments. Listed waters in the Central setline, hand held lines, traps, nets, a light, Tablelands district are: Ben Chifley Dam, your hand or a gaff to take trout or salmon in Windamere Dam and Wyangala Dam. See the trout waters, unless otherwise stated. The Freshwater recreational fishing guide for further use of salmon roe or products containing details. them is also prohibited. Murray cod (Maccullochella peeli). May not be • Chemical or explosive devices: You cannot taken from the whole of the inland waters of NSW use any chemical or explosive devices to from 1 September to 30 November (inclusive) in take or assist to take fish. each year, except Copeton Dam. • Fish filleting: You must not alter the length of Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus). May not a fish which is subject to a minimum or be taken in any waters at any time other than maximum size limit whilst you are in on or between June and August (inclusive) in the adjacent to any waters in any manner other following specified waters: than by gutting, gilling and scaling. You (a) Murrumbidgee River between the Hume cannot remove the head or tail. This rule Highway road bridge, and 100 m does not apply if the fish are being prepared upstream of the weir face at Berembed Weir near for immediate consumption, are being and prepared for immediate use as bait, if the fish (b) Murray River from 130 m below Hume Weir are being cleaned at a fish cleaning facility or near to the Newell Highway road bridge, a fish cleaning table at a boat ramp, or for Tocumwal fish that do not have a legal length.

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

Other freshwater fishing rules • Ask for advice from locals who know the area • Lakes Hume and : NSW fishing – they can advise you of good fishing regulations apply to all of and locations and areas to be cautious around. Victorian regulations apply to all of Lake Hume. Wader safety • Commercial fishing gear: Leave all Take extra care when wearing waders. Roads commercial fishing gear in place and do not and Maritime Services recommends that waders disturb commercial fishers going about their should not be used in boats in case of capsize or lawful business. Penalties up to $5,500 can swamping. apply. Basic wader safety tips include the following. • To restrict the amount of water that can enter Fishing safely waders, fasten a belt around your waist. This Fishing is fun, but remember to take care and must be as firm as possible but always exercise caution. These are basic safety tips. comfortable. The belt will also trap air inside • Observe first, fish later. Always check and provide some buoyancy but caution is needed as you could end upside down if you weather and water conditions before you start fall into the water. fishing. Make sure you are aware of local weather. Listen to weather forecasts or call • If you fall into the water immediately assume the weather information line on 1900 937 a tuck position, then roll on to your back 107. Be aware that conditions may change while keeping the knees tucked. Use your dramatically in a short period of time. arms to balance. • Do not try to swim but either tread water or • Never fish alone and always inform others of float. your fishing plans. Let friends or family know where you are going and when you will be • If swept into a fast flowing stream always back. face downstream and go with the current feet first while working to a safe shore position. • Care for your own safety and never take • Always remember not to panic. undue risks when fishing, even when fighting fish. Never enter the water to retrieve lost Responsible fishing tackle or snagged fish. If the location looks dangerous, don’t fish there. • Observe all bag and size limits as well as any other restrictions for the area you are fishing. • Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy vest when boat fishing or when fishing in hazardous locations • Carefully release all undersize or unwanted such as those located near areas of fast fish and take only what is sufficient for your moving water. Always wear appropriate non- immediate needs. slip shoes. Cleats, sandals and sandshoes • Take home any rubbish from the fishing spot, with non slip soles suit different surfaces. especially plastic bags, old line and fishing Carry ropes and torches as an additional hooks. precaution. • Use environmentally friendly tackle where • If someone falls into the water, look for an possible. angel ring, life buoy or something that floats and throw it to the person in the water. Alert Catch and release emergency services by dialling 112 from a mobile phone or 000 from a landline. Catch and release fishing has increased in popularity in recent years. Research has shown • When boat fishing, wear light clothing. Light that most fish survive using current catch and clothing such as shorts and a spray jacket will release fishing techniques. The following let you swim more easily if you fall overboard. improved fishing practices are suggested to Jumpers may be heavy and difficult to take maximise fish survival. off.

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

• If a fish is deeply hooked, do not try to Further Information remove the hook, cut the line as close to the If you would like more information about fishing mouth as possible and release the fish. It is restrictions that apply to Riverina district likely to survive if handled carefully. waterways and impoundments, please contact • Use methods and rigs such as artificial lures the Riverina fisheries office. or non-offset circle hooks (when using bait) 449 Charlotte Street that increase the frequency of mouth-hooked fish. NSW 2710 • Barbless hooks can be used to make hook Phone: (03) 5881 9999 removal easier and minimise hook damage. Fax: (03) 5881 3719 • Minimise the length of time the fish is out of Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries the water. Ideally, unhook the fish while it is still in the water. Needle-nosed pliers or © State of through the Department of Trade and unhooking devices can greatly reduce the Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services 2015. You may copy, time spent unhooking a fish. distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary • Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft, Industries as the owner. knotless mesh. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (January 2015). • Avoid dropping the fish on hard or hot However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date surfaces and do not hold the fish by the gills and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of or eyes. the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser. • Use wet hands or gloves to handle fish Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. before release. Jobtrack 10149 TRIM PUB10/81 • If you are going to take photos of your fish before release, support your fish properly.

5 NSW Department of Primary Industries, January 2015