Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Southern)

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. The Snowy catchment provides many fishing opportunities for a variety of enthusiasts. This guide will give you an idea of the fishing on offer and the closures and restrictions that apply across the region from Figure 1. The Snowy Mountains region. in the west, Bombala in the east, Fishcare Volunteers can also be found at Crookwell in the north and in boat ramps and on the water in dedicated the south. Fishcare vessels, advising anglers about The Snowy region offers excellent lake, responsible fishing practices and and boat fishing opportunities and distributing fisheries advisory information. anglers have the chance of catching a Information on bag and size limits, fishing wide variety of trout species including closures and legal fishing gear can also be Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout obtained free of charge from the NSW and Atlantic Salmon. DPI website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries, or by visiting your local NSW DPI fisheries NSW DPI Fisheries Officers regularly office. patrol waterways and impoundments ensuring compliance with NSW fishing To report illegal fishing activity, call your regulations and distributing freshwater local fisheries office or the Fishers Watch fishing guides and sticky fish measuring Phoneline on 1800 043 536. All calls will rulers. be treated as confidential and you can remain anonymous. Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Southern)

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

2 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, June 2021 Trout waters recreational fishing guide (Southern) more than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double Macphersons Swamp Creek. (South West hooks, attached to any lure: and Slopes district). The following waters are general trout waters: the whole of the b) a landing net used as an ancillary for waters of the Macphersons Creek and retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait fishing upstream from where it enters is permitted. the backed-up waters of . When taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook . ( Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in district). The following waters are general general trout streams, the maximum trout waters: the whole of the waters of quantity that a person may take on any the Molonglo River, its creeks and one day is 5 and the maximum quantity tributaries upstream from the railway that a person may have in their bridge at Burbong. possession is 10, consisting of any single species or a combination of species. . ( and Hume districts). The following waters are general . (Far South Coast district). trout waters: the whole of the waters of The following waters are general trout the Murray River, its creeks and waters: the whole of the waters of tributaries upstream from the road bridge Bemboka River, its creeks and tributaries at Tintaldra. upstream to its junction with, and including, Tantawangalo Creek. . (South West Slopes and Monaro districts). The following . (South West Slopes waters are general trout waters: the whole district). The following waters are general of the waters of the Murrumbidgee River, trout waters: the whole of the waters of its creeks and tributaries upstream from the Goodradigbee River, its creeks and its junction with, and including, the tributaries upstream from where it enters River the backed-up waters of Burrinjuck Dam. River (Figure 2). (South West Guinecor Creek. (South West Slopes Slopes district). The following waters are district). The following waters are general general trout waters: the whole of the trout waters: the whole of the waters of waters of the , its creeks Guinecor Creek and its tributaries and tributaries upstream of the fence upstream from its junction with, but not boundary of the including, the . (about 1 kilometre downstream of the . (Monaro district). wall of Googong Dam). The following waters are general trout . (South West Slopes and waters: the whole of the waters of the Monaro districts). The following waters are Ingeegoodbee River, its creeks and general trout waters: the whole of the tributaries upstream from the Victorian waters of the Shoalhaven River, its creeks border. and tributaries upstream from its junction . (South West Slopes and with, and including, the . Central Tablelands districts). The following . (Monaro district). The waters are general trout waters: the whole of the waters of the Lachlan River, its following waters are general trout waters: creeks and tributaries upstream from the the whole of the waters of the Snowy Cowra–Young road bridge. River, its creeks and tributaries upstream of the Victorian border.

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The following methods are permitted during the fishing season:

a) one attended rod and line with not more than 2 hooks attached, artificial flies and lures only and with not more than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double hooks, attached to any lure; and

b) a landing net used as an ancillary for retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait fishing is not permitted. Note: ‘artificial flies or lures’ does not include the use of dough based baits or any other similar artificial or manufactured bait product. Figure 2. Queanbeyan River When taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook . (South West Slopes and Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, Monaro districts). The following waters are the maximum quantity that a person may general trout waters: the whole of the take on any one day is 2 and the waters of the Tumut River, its creeks and maximum quantity that a person may tributaries upstream from its junction with have in their possession is 4, consisting of but not including, the Murrumbidgee any single species or a combination of River. species. . (Monaro district). The Bobndara Creek. (Monaro district). The following waters are general trout waters: following waters are artificial fly and lure the whole of the waters of the Tuross waters: the whole of the waters of River, its creeks and tributaries upstream Bobundara Creek and its tributaries from the Tuross Falls. upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Snowy River. Wollondilly River. (South West Slopes district). The following waters are general (Figure 3). (Monaro trout waters: the whole of the waters of district). The following waters are artificial the Wollondilly River, its creeks and fly and lure waters: the whole of the tributaries upstream from its junction waters of the Eucumbene River, its creeks with, and including, the and tributaries upstream from the Dam wall of Lake Eucumbene and including Artificial fly and lure trout streams Providence Portal. The following waters are artificial fly and Flea Creek. (South West Slopes district). lure trout streams and are closed to the The following waters are artificial fly and taking of all species of fish by any lure waters: the whole of the waters of method, from the Tuesday after the June Flea Creek and its tributaries including (Queen’s Birthday) long weekend until Tumbledown Creek and its tributaries midnight on the last Friday before the upstream of the junction with the start of the October (Labour Day) long Goodradigbee River. weekend (inclusive) in each year.

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Swampy Plain River (Figure 4). (Monaro district). The following waters are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the waters of the , its creeks and tributaries downstream of the southern (upstream) boundary of Khancoban Station and upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Murray River. (Figure 5). (Monaro district). The following waters are artificial fly and lure waters: the whole of the waters of the Thredbo River (or Crackenback River), its creeks and tributaries upstream from where it enters Figure 3. Eucumbene River the backed-up waters of Lake Jindabyne, Khancoban Creek (Figure 4). (Monaro but not including that portion of the district). The following waters are artificial Thredbo River from the upstream fly and lure waters: the whole of the extremity of the public reserve known as waters of Khancoban Creek, together with ‘Paddy's Corner’, upstream for a distance all of its tributaries, from its of 2.4 kilometres (being those waters with the backed-up waters of Khancoban immediately adjacent to the Gaden Trout Pondage upstream to its source and Hatchery or the waters of Sawpit Creek). including that part of Broken Back Creek from the wall of Murray 2 Pondage Artificial fly and lure trout dams downstream to its confluence with the The following dam is an artificial fly and waters of Khancoban Creek. lure trout dam which is open to fishing all . (Monaro district). The year round. Bait fishing is not permitted. following waters are artificial fly and lure When taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook waters: the whole of the waters of the Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, Kybeyan River, its creeks and tributaries the maximum quantity that a person may upstream from its junction with, but not take on any one day is 2 and the including, the . maximum quantity that a person may . (Monaro district). The have in their possession is 4, consisting of following waters are artificial fly and lure any single species or a combination of waters: the whole of the waters of the species. Maclaughlin River, its creeks and Black Lake. (Far South Coast District). The tributaries upstream from its junction following waters are artificial fly and lure with, but not including, the Snowy River. waters: the whole of the waters of Black . (Monaro district). The Lake. following waters are artificial fly and lure Dam Town waters: the whole of the waters of the Black Lake Bibbenluke Mowamba River (or Moonbah River), its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Snowy River.

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morning October long weekend until midnight 30 April. The following methods are permitted during the fishing season:

a) one attended rod and line with not more than 2 hooks attached, artificial flies and lures only and with not more than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double hooks, attached to any lure: and

b) a landing net used as an ancillary for retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Bait fishing is not permitted. When taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook Figure 4. Khancoban Creek and Swampy Plains Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in trout spawning streams the maximum quantity that a person may take on any one day is 1 and the maximum quantity that a person may have in their possession is 2, consisting of any single species or a combination of species. The legal length when taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in trout spawning streams is 50 cm. Eucumbene River (Figure 3). (Monaro district). The following waters are trout spawning waters: the whole of the waters of the Eucumbene River and its tributaries

River upstream of the dam wall and including the Providence Portal. Figure 5. Thredbo River Thredbo River (Figure 5). (Monaro Trout spawning streams district). The following waters are trout The following waters are trout spawning spawning waters: the whole of the streams and are closed to the taking of all Thredbo River except for a signposted species of fish by any method, from 2.4 km reach at Gaden Trout Hatchery. Tuesday after the June (Queens Birthday) Note: The signposted 2.4 km reach of the long weekend until midnight of the last Thredbo River at Gaden Trout Hatchery is Friday before the October (Labour Day) completely closed to fishing all year round. long weekend. General trout dams Open 1: As trout spawning streams: From 1 May morning until midnight Monday The following waters are general trout June long weekend. dams. These waters are open to fishing all year round. When fishing in general trout Open 2: When otherwise classed as dams, up to two attended rods each with artificial fly & lure streams: From Saturday a line may be used with not more than

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2 hooks attached per line or up to General freshwater fishing rules 3 hooks attached per line, where those hooks are artificial flies or lures. An Permitted fishing gear and methods artificial fly or lure is considered to be a Lines. Two attended lines are permitted in single hook. Bait fishing is permitted. A all non-tidal waters other than in some landing net may be used as an ancillary trout waters. for retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Attended lines must be within 50 m, in Note: The bag and size limits for general your sight, trout dams are the same as the bag and and have no more than 2 hooks per line size limits for general trout streams or up to 3 treble hooks attached to any

lure per line other than in some trout Dam Town waters. A lure is considered a single hook. Captains Flat Dam Queanbeyan Setlines are not permitted. Coolumbooka Weir Bombala Traps and nets. You may use up to 5 Diggers Creek Dam Perisher Valley hoop / open pyramid lift nets or hoop nets Khancoban (Figure 6) and 1 shrimp trap to take Gogong Dam Queanbeyan Yabbies and freshwater Shrimp, other than in trout waters where the use of traps and Guthega Lake Jindabyne nets is prohibited (except when using up Happy Jacks Pondage Khancoban to 5 hoop / open pyramid lift nets or hoop Jindabyne nets in Googong Dam or Lakes Lyell,

Jounama Pondage Talbingo Wallace, Eucumbene or Jindabyne to take yabbies). Khancoban Pondage Khancoban

Lake Bathurst Tarago

Lake Crackenback Thredbo

Lake Eucumbene

Lake Jindabyne Jindabyne

Lake Williams Nimmitabel

Marsden Weir Goulburn Murray 2 Pondage Khancoban Figure 6. Open pyramid lift net and hoop net Paddy’s River Dam All nets and traps must be tagged with the Goulburn user’s initial, surname, year of birth and postcode. Persons must not set traps or Redground Dam Crookwell nets for longer than 24 hours without Rossi Weir Goulburn lifting those traps or nets. Fishers are Talbingo encouraged to regularly check set fishing Adaminaby gear, to ensure that any unwanted catch is returned to the water safely, unharmed. Three Mile Dam Kiandra See the NSW Freshwater Recreational Tod Kill Park Dam Crookwell Fishing Guide for further details. Khancoban

Tumut Ponds Adaminaby

Tumut 2 Pondage Khancoban

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Species restrictions caught must be returned to the water safely, unharmed. Freshwater Catfish – Eel Tailed. (Tandanus tandanus). May not be taken by Prohibited fishing methods any fishing method in western flowing o Setlines, spearguns, spears, poison or rivers. May be taken from the backed-up explosives or firearms to take fish, to waters of listed western impoundments, use a gaff to take fish, to jag or foul eastern rivers and eastern dams. See the hook fish, to use frogs, live finfish NSW Freshwater Recreational Fishing (including carp), live birds or live Guide for further details. animals as bait, or any traps or nets not Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus). May not permitted for recreational use, or to be taken by any fishing method in any sell your catch. It is illegal to keep rivers. May be taken from the backed-up prohibited size fish – they should be waters of listed impoundments. See the returned to the water immediately with NSW Freshwater Recreational Fishing as little harm as possible. Guide for further details. o Crayfish. It is illegal to remove heads, Murray Cod (Maccullochella peeli). May tails and claws from crayfish or possess not be taken from the whole of the tails and or claws when you are in, on inland waters of NSW. From 1 or adjacent to the water. This rule does September to 30 November (inclusive) in not apply if the crayfish are being each year (except ). prepared for immediate consumption, are being prepared for immediate use Murray Crayfish (Euastacus armatus). as bait, if the crayfish are being cleaned May not be taken in any waters at any at a fish cleaning facility or at a boat time other than between June and August ramp. It is also illegal to keep crayfish (inclusive) in the following specified with eggs or to remove those eggs. waters: o Trout and Salmon. It is illegal to use a (a) That part of the Murrumbidgee River setline, handheld lines, traps, nets, a and tributaries (excluding Old Man Creek) light, your hand, or a gaff to take trout between the Hume Highway road bridge, or salmon in trout waters, unless , and 100 m upstream of the weir otherwise stated. The use of salmon face at Berembed Weir near and roe or products containing them is also (b) That part of the Murray River and prohibited. tributaries from 130 m below Hume Weir o Chemical or explosive devices. You near to the Newell Highway road cannot use any chemical or explosive bridge, devices to take or assist to take fish Note: The specified waters include all o Fish filleting. You must not alter the tributaries, lakes, lagoons, dams, length of a fish which is subject to a , ponds, canals, channels, or minimum or maximum size limit whilst waterways of the main channels of the you are in, on or adjacent to any waters above rivers. in any manner other than by gutting, Australian Bass and Estuary Perch. May gilling and scaling. You cannot remove not be taken in rivers, except rivers above the head or tail. This rule does not impoundments from 1 May to 31 August apply if the fish are being prepared for (inclusive) in each year other than by immediate consumption, are being catch and release fishing, where any fish prepared for immediate use as bait, if

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the fish are being cleaned at a fish different surfaces. Carry ropes and torches as an additional precaution. cleaning facility or a fish cleaning table at a boat ramp, or for fish that do not o If someone falls into the water, look for have a legal length. something that floats and throw it to the person in the water. Alert Other freshwater fishing rules emergency services by dialling 112 o Lakes Hume and . NSW from a mobile phone or 000 from a fishing regulations apply to all of Lake landline. Mulwala and Victorian regulations o When boat fishing, wear light clothing. apply to all of Lake Hume. Light clothing such as shorts and a o Commercial fishing gear. Leave all spray jacket will let you swim easily if commercial fishing gear in place and you fall overboard. Jumpers may be do not disturb commercial fishers heavy and difficult to take off. going about their lawful business. o Ask for advice from locals who know Penalties up to $5,500 can apply. the area – they can advise you of good Fishing safely fishing locations and areas to be cautions around. Fishing is fun but remember to take care and exercise caution. Remember these Wader safely basic safety tips. Take extra care when wearing waders. o Observe first, fish later. Always check NSW Maritime Authority recommends weather and water conditions before that waders should not be used in boats you start fishing. Make sure you are in case of capsize or swamping. aware of local weather. Listen to Basic wader safety tips include the weather forecasts or call the weather following. information line on 1900 937 107. o To restrict the amount of water that Be aware that conditions may change can enter waders, fasten a belt around dramatically in a short period of time. your waist. This must be as firm as o Never fish alone and always inform possible but always comfortable. The others of your fishing plans. Let friends belt will also trap air inside and provide or family know where you are going some buoyancy but caution is needed and when you will be back. as you could end upside down if you o Care for your own safety and never fall into the water. take undue risks when fishing, even o If you fall into the water immediately when fighting fish. Never enter the assume a tuck position, then roll on to water to retrieve lost tackle or snagged your back while keeping the knees fish. If the location looks dangerous, tucked. Use your arms to balance. don’t fish there. o Do not try to swim but either tread o Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy vest water or float. when boat fishing or when fishing in o If swept into a fast-flowing stream hazardous locations such as those always face downstream and go with located near areas of fast-moving the current feet first while working to a water. Always wear appropriate non- safe shore position. slip shoes. Cleats, sandals and sandshoes with non-slip soles suit o Always remember not to panic

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Responsible fishing o Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft, knotless mesh. o Observe all bag and size limits as well as any other restrictions for the area o Avoid dropping the fish on hard or you are fishing. hot surfaces and do not hold the fish by the gills or eyes. o Carefully release all undersize or unwanted fish and take only what is o Use wet hands or gloves to sufficient for your immediate needs. handle fish before release. o Take home any rubbish from the o If you are going to take photos of fishing spot, especially plastic bags, old your fish before release, support line, and fishing hooks. your fish properly. o Take home any left-over bait or fish Penalties discards and ensure you clean away Penalties apply to persons who take or any residue. possess fish (including invertebrates, o Use environmentally friendly tackle shells, etc.) taken in contravention of where possible. fishing closures. Catch and release Further information Catch and release fishing has increased in If you would like more information about popularity in recent years. Research has fishing restrictions that apply to northern shown trout waterways and impoundments, please contact the relevant fisheries office. that most fish survive using current catch and release fishing techniques. The Hume District (02) 6496 8200 following improved fishing practices are Monaro District (02) 6451 3402 suggested to maximise fish survival. Far South Coast (02) 6496 8200 o If a fish is deeply hooked, do not try to remove the hook – cut the line as close South West Slopes (02) 6491 1404 to the mouth as possible and release Central Tablelands (02) 6331 1428 the fish. It is likely to survive if handled carefully. o Use artificial lures or non-offset circle For further information visit the NSW DPI hooks when using bait to reduce deep Website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries or hooking of fish. call 1300 550 474. o Barbless hooks can be used to make hook removal easier and minimise hook damage. CM9 V13/4065#21, PUB21/387 o Minimise the length of time the fish is © State of through Regional NSW 2021. out of the water. Ideally, unhook the The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (June fish while it is still in the water. Needle- 2021). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information nosed pliers or unhooking devices can upon which they rely is up to date and to check the greatly reduce the time spent currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Regional NSW or the user’s unhooking a fish. independent adviser.

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