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Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Northern)

Introduction

Our State's fisheries are a community- owned resource. We all have a responsibility to protect and safeguard this natural asset for present and future generations. Fishing regulations are in place to protect and conserve our fish stocks and aquatic habitats to ensure that fishing activities remain sustainable. New England waterways provide many

fishing opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. This guide will give you an idea Figure 1. The New England region of the fishing on offer and the closures and Fishcare Volunteers can also be found at restrictions that apply along the New boat ramps and on the water in dedicated England Region from Narrabri to Fishcare vessels, advising anglers about Tenterfield. responsible fishing practices and distributing fisheries advisory information. The New England region offers excellent lake, and boat fishing opportunities Information on bag and size limits, fishing and anglers have the chance of catching a closures and legal fishing gear can also be wide variety of fish including Murray Cod, obtained free of charge from the NSW DPI Golden Perch, Rainbow Trout and Brown website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries, or trout. by visiting your local NSW DPI fisheries office. NSW DPI Fisheries Officers regularly patrol waterways and impoundments ensuring To report illegal fishing activity, call your compliance with NSW fishing regulations local fisheries office or the Fishers Watch and distributing freshwater fishing guides Phoneline on 1800 043 536. All calls will be and sticky fish measuring rulers. treated as confidential and you can remain anonymous.

Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Northern)

Recreational Fishing Fee fee at some caravan parks, service stations, many Kmart stores, online at When fishing in NSW waters, both www.licence.nsw.gov.au or by calling freshwater and saltwater, you are required 1300 369 365. by law to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee and carry a receipt showing the If you pay for a one year or three-year payment of the fee. This applies when line period online, over the phone or at a Touch fishing, trapping, netting or when agent or if you renew your licence using undertaking bait or invertebrate collection your renewal letter, you will receive a plastic or when in possession of fishing gear in, on receipt in the post. For all other payment or adjacent to waters. methods, you will receive a paper receipt. All money raised by the NSW Recreational Some exemptions apply to paying the Fishing Fee is spent on improving fishing fee, including people under the age recreational fishing in NSW. Some projects of 18 and holders of pensioner concession include: cards. For further information on exemptions visit the NSW DPI website or o Angler facilities such as fishing call 1300 550 474. platforms. o Stocking of freshwater fish in dams and You may not need to pay the NSW . Recreational Fishing Fee if you are fishing on a charter boat under the supervision of Essential research on popular o a fishing guide. Please check with the recreational fish species. charter operator, or guide, before you go o Enhancing compliance with fishing rules. fishing. If they do not hold a Recreational Fishing Fee Exemption Certificate you will o Restoring important fish habitat. need to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing o Research stocking of mulloway and Fee. prawns in estuaries. Trout and salmon fishing rules o The installation of fish aggregating devices (FADs) to enhance fishing General trout streams opportunities for Mahi Mahi The following waters are general trout (Dolphinfish) or even Tuna and Marlin. streams and are closed to the taking of all o Creation of recreational fishing havens. species of fish by any method, from the Tuesday after the June (Queen’s Birthday) o Angler education and advisory long weekend until midnight on the last programs such as the Fishcare Volunteer Friday before the start of the October program, fishing workshops, Get (Labour Day) long weekend (inclusive) in Hooked. It’s Fun to Fish and fishing each year. guides. The following methods are permitted o Building artificial reefs in offshore areas during the fishing season: such as Sydney Reef and and in inshore areas such as Lake a) one attended rod and line with not more Macquarie, Botany Bay, St Georges than 2 hooks attached and with not more Basin, Lake Conjola and Merimbula Lake than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double hooks, attached to any lure: and You can pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee from hundreds of agents throughout b) a landing net used as an ancillary for NSW such as over the counter at most retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait fishing is fishing tackle shops. You can also pay the permitted.

2 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, June 2021 Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Northern)

When taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, . Peel District. The following Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in general waters are general trout waters: the whole trout streams, the maximum quantity that a of the waters of the Cobark River, its creeks person may take on any one day is 5 and and upstream from its junction the maximum quantity that a person may with, and including, the . have in their possession is 10, consisting of Cooplacurripa River. Peel District. The any single species or a combination of following waters are general trout waters: species. the whole of the waters of the Apsley River. Peel District. The following Cooplacurripa River, its creeks and waters are general trout waters: the whole tributaries upstream from its junction with, of the waters of the Apsley River, its creeks and including, the Mummel River. and tributaries upstream from its junction Dungowan Creek (Figure 2). Peel District. with, and including, the . The following waters are general trout . Peel District. The following waters: the whole of the waters of waters are general trout waters: the whole Dungowan Creek and its tributaries of the waters of the Barnard River, its creeks upstream from the road crossing near and tributaries upstream from its junction Ogunbil Station. with, and including, Gulf Creek.

Barrington River. Peel District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Barrington River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Moppy River. . New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of Beardy Waters, its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Furracabad Creek. . Coffs District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Blicks River, its creeks Figure. 2 Dungowan Creek and tributaries upstream from the road bridge at Dundarrabin. . New England District. Carters Brook. Peel District. The following The following waters are general trout waters are general trout waters: the whole waters: the whole of the waters of the of the waters of Carters Brook, its creeks Deepwater River, its creeks and tributaries and tributaries upstream from its junction upstream of the with, and including, . road bridge near Deepwater. Chandler River. New England District. The Georges Creek. New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Chandler the whole of the waters of Georges Creek River, its creeks and tributaries upstream and its tributaries upstream from its from its junction with, and including, the junction with, and including, Louisa Creek. .

3 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, June 2021 Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Northern)

Gloucester River. Peel District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the , its creeks, and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Sharpes Creek. (Figure 3). New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Gwydir River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream of the road bridge at Torryburn. Gwydir River (Figure 4). New England District. The following waters are general

trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Gwydir River, its creeks, and tributaries Figure 3. Gwydir River trout waters, Torryburn downstream of Copeton Dam and upstream of its junction with, but not including, . . New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Guy Fawkes River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the . Horton River. New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Horton River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Cut Road Creek. Figure 4. Gwydir River trout waters, Copeton Dam Hunter River. Peel District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Hunter River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, . Laura Creek (Figure 5). New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of Laura Creek and its tributaries of the ford at Baldeslie Station. Macdonald River. Peel District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Macdonald River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream of the New England Highway road bridge at Figure 5. Laura Creek trout waters Bendemeer.

4 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, June 2021 Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Northern)

Manning River (Figure 6). Peel District. The tributaries upstream from its junction with, following waters are general trout waters: and including, Tuggolo Creek. the whole of the waters of the , its creeks, and tributaries upstream from the Gummi Trail crossing.

Figure 7. trout waters

Nowendoc River. Peel District. The Figure 6. Manning River trout waters following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Nowendoc McIntyre River. New England District. The River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream following waters are general trout waters: from Nowendoc Falls. the whole of the waters of the McIntyre River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream . Coffs District. The from the road bridge at Elsmore. following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Nymboida . Peel District. The following River, its creeks, and tributaries upstream waters are general trout waters: the whole from its junction with, and including, Wild of the waters of Moonan Brook and its Cattle Creek. tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Hunter River. (Figure 8). New England District. The following waters are general Moredun Creek (Figure 7). New England trout waters: the whole of the waters of the District. The following waters are general Oaky River, its creeks, and tributaries trout waters: the whole of the waters of upstream from where it enters the backed- Moredun Creek and its tributaries up waters of Oaky River Dam. upstream of the ford immediately below its junction with Limestone Creek. . New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: Mulla Mulla Creek. Peel District. The the whole of the waters of the Oban River following waters are general trout waters: (or Ann River), its creeks and tributaries the whole of the waters of Mulla Mulla upstream from its junction with, but not Creek and its tributaries upstream from its including, the . junction with, but not including, the . Omadale Brook. Peel District. The Myall Creek. Peel District. The following following waters are general trout waters: waters are general trout waters: the whole the whole of the waters of Omadale Brook of the waters of Myall Creek and its and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Polblue Creek.

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Wellingrove Creek. New England District. The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of Wellingrove Creek and its tributaries upstream from the road bridge near Glen Innes. General trout dams The following waters are general trout dams. These waters are open to fishing all year round. When fishing in general trout dams, up to two attended rods each with a line may be used with not more than 2 hooks attached per line or up to 3 hooks

attached per line, where those hooks are Figure 8. Oaky River trout waters artificial flies or lures. An artificial fly or lure Styx River (Figure 9). Coffs District. The is considered to be a single hook. Bait following waters are general trout waters: fishing is permitted. A landing net may be the whole of the waters of the Styx River, its used as an ancillary for retrieval of fish creeks and tributaries upstream of the road lawfully taken. Note. The bag and size crossing on the Armidale–Bell Brook road, limits for general trout dams are the same but not including that portion of the as the bag and size limits for general trout Serpentine River upstream from Serpentine streams Falls to the Point Lookout road crossing

(being those waters immediately adjacent to the Dutton Trout Hatchery). Dam Town Beardy Waters Dam Beardy Waters

Dumaresq Dam Armidale

Malpas Dam Guyra

Sheba Dams 1 & 2 Nundle General freshwater fishing rules Permitted fishing gear and methods Lines. Two attended lines are permitted in all non-tidal waters other than in some trout waters. Attended lines must be within 50 m, in your sight, and have no more than 2 hooks per line or up to 3 treble hooks attached to any lure per line other than in

some trout waters. A lure is considered a Figure 9. Styx River single hook. Setlines are not permitted. Swanbrook. New England District. The Traps and nets. You may use up to 5 hoop following waters are general trout waters: / open pyramid lift nets or hoop nets the whole of the waters of Swanbrook and (Figure 10) and 1 shrimp trap to take its tributaries upstream of the Kings Plains Yabbies and freshwater Shrimp, other than road crossing near . in trout waters where the use of traps and nets is prohibited (except when using up to

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5 hoop / open pyramid lift nets or hoop than between June and August (inclusive) nets in Googong Dam or Lakes Lyell, in the following specified waters: Wallace, Eucumbene or Jindabyne to take (a) That part of the yabbies). and tributaries (excluding Old Man Creek) between the Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagai, and 100 m upstream of the weir face at Berembed Weir near Ganmain and (b) That part of the and tributaries from 130 m below Hume Weir near Albury to the Newell Highway road bridge, Tocumwal Figure 10. Open pyramid lift net and hoop net Note: The specified waters include all All nets and traps must be tagged with the tributaries, lakes, lagoons, dams, reservoirs, user’s initial, surname, year of birth and ponds, canals, channels, or waterways of postcode. Persons must not set traps or the main channels of the above rivers. nets for longer than 24 hours without lifting Australian Bass and Estuary Perch. May those traps or nets. Fishers are encouraged not be taken in rivers, except rivers above to regularly check set fishing gear, to impoundments from 1 May to 31 August ensure that any unwanted catch is returned (inclusive) in each year other than by catch to the water safely, unharmed. and release fishing, where any fish caught See the NSW Freshwater Recreational must be returned to the water safely, Fishing Guide for further details. unharmed. Species restrictions Prohibited fishing methods Freshwater Catfish – Eel Tailed. It is illegal to use (Tandanus tandanus). May not be taken by o Setlines, spearguns, spears, poison or any fishing method in western flowing explosives or firearms to take fish, to use rivers. May be taken from the backed-up a gaff to take fish, to jag or foul hook waters of listed western impoundments, fish, to use frogs, live finfish (including eastern rivers and eastern dams. See the carp), live birds or live animals as bait, or Freshwater recreational fishing guide for any traps or nets not permitted for further details. recreational use, or to sell your catch. It Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). May not is illegal to keep prohibited size fish – be taken by any fishing method in any they should be returned to the water rivers. May be taken from the backed-up immediately with as little harm as waters of listed impoundments. See the possible. Freshwater Recreational Fishing Guide for o Crayfish. It is illegal to remove heads, further details. tails and claws from crayfish or possess Murray Cod (Maccullochella peeli). May tails and or claws when you are in, on or not be taken from the whole of the inland adjacent to the water. This rule does not waters of NSW. From 1 September to apply if the crayfish are being prepared 30 November (inclusive) in each year for immediate consumption, are being (except Copeton and Blowering dams). prepared for immediate use as bait, if the crayfish are being cleaned at a fish Murray Crayfish (Euastacus armatus). May cleaning facility or at a boat ramp. It is not be taken in any waters at any time other

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also illegal to keep crayfish with eggs or line on 1900 937 107. Be aware that to remove those eggs. conditions may change dramatically in a short period of time. o Trout and Salmon. It is illegal to use a setline, handheld lines, traps, nets, a o Never fish alone and always inform light, your hand or a gaff to take trout or others of your fishing plans. Let friends salmon in trout waters, unless otherwise or family know where you are going and stated. The use of salmon roe or when you will be back. Care for your own products containing them is also safety and never take undue risks when prohibited. fishing, even when fighting fish. Never enter the water to retrieve lost tackle or Chemical or explosive devices. You o snagged fish. If the location looks cannot use any chemical or explosive dangerous, don’t fish there. devices to take or assist to take fish. o Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy vest when

o Fish filleting. You must not alter the boat fishing or when fishing in length of a fish which is subject to a hazardous locations such as those minimum or maximum size limit whilst located near areas of fast-moving water. you are in, on or adjacent to any waters Always wear appropriate non-slip shoes. in any manner other than by gutting, Cleats, sandals and sandshoes with gilling and scaling. You cannot remove nonslip soles suit different surfaces. the head or tail. This rule does not apply Carry ropes and torches as an additional if the fish are being prepared for precaution. immediate consumption, are being If someone falls into the water, look for prepared for immediate use as bait, if o something that floats and throw it to the the fish are being cleaned at a fish person in the water. Alert emergency cleaning facility or a fish cleaning table services by dialling 112 from a mobile at a boat ramp, or for fish that do not phone or 000 from a landline. have a legal length. o When boat fishing, wear light clothing. Other freshwater fishing rules Light clothing such as shorts and a spray

o Lakes Hume and Mulwala. NSW fishing jacket will let you swim easily if you fall regulations apply to all of Lake Mulwala overboard. Jumpers may be heavy and and Victorian regulations apply to all of difficult to take off. Lake Hume. Ask for advice from locals who know the o o Commercial fishing gear. Leave all area – they can advise you of good commercial fishing gear in place and do fishing locations and areas to be not disturb commercial fishers going cautions around. about their lawful business. Penalties up to $5,500 can apply. Wader safety Fishing safely Take extra care when wearing waders. NSW Maritime Authority recommends that Fishing is fun but remember to take care waders should not be used in boats in case and exercise caution. Remember these of capsize or swamping. basic safety tips. Basic wader safety tips include the o Observe first, fish later. Always check weather and water conditions before following. you start fishing. Make sure you are o To restrict the amount of water that can aware of local weather. Listen to weather enter waders, fasten a belt around your forecasts or call the weather information

8 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, June 2021 Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Northern)

waist. This must be as firm as possible o Use artificial lures or non-offset circle but always comfortable. hooks when using bait to reduce deep hooking of fish. o The belt will also trap air inside and provide some buoyancy but caution is o Barbless hooks can be used to make needed as you could end upside down if hook removal easier and minimise hook you fall into the water. damage. o If you fall into the water immediately o Minimise the length of time the fish is assume a tuck position, then roll on to out of the water. Ideally, unhook the fish your back while keeping the knees while it is still in the water. Needle-nosed tucked. Use your arms to balance. pliers or unhooking devices can greatly reduce the time spent unhooking a fish. o Do not try to swim but either tread water or float. o Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft, knotless mesh. Avoid dropping the fish o If swept into a fast-flowing stream always face downstream and go with the on hard or hot surfaces and do not hold current feet first while working to a safe the fish by the gills or eyes. shore position. o Use wet hands or gloves to handle fish before release. If you are going to take o Always remember not to panic. photos of your fish before release, Responsible fishing support your fish properly. o Observe all bag and size limits as well as any other restrictions for the area Penalties you are fishing. Penalties apply to persons who take or o Carefully release all undersize or possess fish (including invertebrates, shells, unwanted fish and take only what is etc.) taken in contravention of fishing sufficient for your immediate needs. closures. o Take home any rubbish from the Further information fishing spot, especially plastic bags, If you would like more information about old line and fishing hooks. fishing restrictions that apply to northern o Take home any leftover bait or fish trout waterways and impoundments, discards and ensure you clean away please contact the relevant fisheries office. any residue. Hastings District (02) 5524 0600 Use environmentally friendly tackle o New England District (02) 6722 1388 where possible Peel District (02) 6763 1132 Catch and release Coffs District (02) 6652 3977

Catch and release fishing has increased in For further information visit the NSW DPI popularity in recent years. Research has website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries shown that most fish survive using current Your Reference number V13/4065#17, catch and release fishing techniques. PUB21/390 The following improved fishing practices

are suggested to maximise fish survival. © State of through Regional NSW 2021. The information contained in this publication is based on If a fish is deeply hooked, do not try to knowledge and understanding at the time of writing June o 2021). However, because of advances in knowledge, users remove the hook – cut the line as close are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the to the mouth as possible and release the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of fish. It is likely to survive if handled the Department of Regional NSW or the user’s independent adviser. carefully.

9 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, June 2021