Rules/Regulations

A summary of the main rules and regulations for fishing in the region is provided below. If you would like to reference a complete set of the rules and regulations including Listed Trout Waters for recreational freshwater fishing in NSW, visit the Department of Primary Industries website and download their guide. Click here.

WHY HAVE BAG LIMITS?

Daily bag limits are one of the key tools for managing recreational fishing. They limit the number of fish that an individual angler can catch and keep in a 24 hour period.

Bag limits apply to all forms of recreational fishing for fish and invertebrates. They are typically put in place for a number of biological and social reasons including:

• conserving fish stocks
• sharing the catch between recreational fishers and other users
• encouraging responsible and ethical use of fisheries resources
• assisting in reducing illegal fish sales
• protecting threatened or vulnerable species

The bag limit is comprised of any single species or a combination of listed grouped species. If you have been fishing for more than one day you may have up to the “possession” limit, which is twice the daily bag limit, unless otherwise stated. The possession limit also applies to the transport and storage of fish to provide clarification and ease with compliance. This rule does not apply to the purchase of fish from a registered fish receiver (e.g. a fish shop).

BROWN TROUT

Legal length: 25cm in all waters except trout spawning streams, where the legal length is 50cm.
Bag limit: (1 or more species) 5 in general trout streams & dams, 2 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 1 in trout spawning streams, 10 in other waters.
Possession limit: (1 or more species) 10 in general trout streams and dams, 4 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 2 in trout spawning streams, 20 in other waters.
Closure: The taking of any fish species in general trout streams, artificial fly and lure streams and trout spawning streams from the end of the June long weekend to the start of the October long weekend is prohibited.

RAINBOW TROUT

Legal length: 25cm in all waters except trout spawning streams, where the legal length is 50cm.
Bag limit: (1 or more species) 5 in general trout streams & dams, 2 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 1 in trout spawning streams, 10 in other waters.
Possession limit: (1 or more species) 10 in general trout streams and dams, 4 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 2 in trout spawning streams, 20 in other waters.
Closure: The taking of any fish species in general trout streams, artificial fly and lure streams and trout spawning streams from the end of the June long weekend to the start of the October long weekend is prohibited.

BROOK TROUT

Legal length: 25cm in all waters except trout spawning streams, where the legal length is 50cm.
Bag limit: (1 or more species) 5 in general trout streams & dams, 2 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 1 in trout spawning streams, 10 in other waters.
Possession limit: (1 or more species) 10 in general trout streams and dams, 4 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 2 in trout spawning streams, 20 in other waters.
Closure: The taking of any fish species in general trout streams, artificial fly and lure streams and trout spawning streams from the end of the June long weekend to the start of the October long weekend is prohibited.

ATLANTIC SALMON

Legal length: 25cm in all waters except trout spawning streams, where the legal length is 50cm.
Bag limit: (1 or more species) 5 in general trout streams & dams, 2 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 1 in trout spawning streams, 10 in other waters
Possession limit: (1 or more species) 10 in general trout streams and dams, 4 in artificial fly and lure streams and dams, 2 in trout spawning streams, 20 in other waters.
Closure: The taking of any fish species in general trout streams, artificial fly and lure streams and trout spawning streams from the end of the June long weekend to the start of the October long weekend is prohibited.

For Bag Limits on all other species, refer to NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2012 for full details.

HOW TO MEASURE FISH

The overall measurement of a fish, whether it is fork-tailed or round tailed, is taken from the snout on the upper jaw to the end of the tail.

Murray Crayfish are measured from the rear of the eye socket to the centre rear of the carapace.

For all other species measurements visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.
Click here.

PERMITTED FISHING METHODS AND ACTIVITIES

The following fishing rules apply when fishing in NSW above the tidal limits including the whole of the Murray River to the South Australian border (except Lake Hume, which is controlled by Victorian Fishing Laws), all parts of Lake Mulwala from Yarrawonga Weir wall upstream to the point where the Ovens River enters the Murray River at Bundalong boat ramp and when fishing on the NSW side of the Dumaresq, MacIntyre and Barwon Rivers (a NSW / Qld midstream border applies when fishing in these rivers).

Two attended lines are permitted in all non-tidal waters other than some trout waters. Attended lines must be within 50 metres, in your sight and have no more than 2 hooks per line & 3 treble hooks attached to a lure per line (except some trout waters). Hand lines are not permitted in trout waters.

For a complete summary of the number of attended lines and hooks permitted see table NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2012.

PROHIBITED FISHING METHODS AND ACTIVITIES

Line fishing.
You are not permitted to:
• Set line, drop line, or jag (foul hooking).
• Use handlines in notified trout waters (rods and lines only permitted).
• Use, carry or possess rigged lines in excess of the maximum number of attended lines permitted is an offence and heavy penalties may apply. Spare lines should not be rigged e.g. should not have hooks or lures attached, and should be properly stowed.

Gear and methods.
You are not permitted to:
• Use gaffs in inland waters.
• Use spears, spear guns or bows and arrows in inland waters.
• Use explosives, firearms or electrical devices.
• Use fish traps, gill nets, drum nets, crab nets or any other equipment to take fish or invertebrates other than gear specified in NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2012 within the waters prescribed.
• Use a hand (e.g. ‘tickle’) to take Trout or Salmon.
• Use a light to take Trout or Salmon.
• Use a hand hauled yabby net in rivers or dams to take Yabbies.
• Use traps and nets in trout waters except hoop or lift nets in Lakes Eucumbene and Jindabyne to take Yabbies.

Fish filleting.
You must not alter the length of a fish which is subject to a minimum or maximum size limit whilst you are in on or adjacent to any waters in any manner other than by gutting, gilling and scaling. You cannot remove the head or tail. This means you can cannot fillet your fish or possess filleted fish unless you are well away from the water. This rule does not apply if the fish are being prepared for immediate consumption, are being prepared for immediate use as bait, if the fish are being cleaned at a fish cleaning facility or a fish cleaning table at a boat ramp, or for fish that do not have a legal length.

Baits.
You are not permitted to:
• Use frogs.
• Use live fin fish in inland waters including live Carp or other pest species.
• Use non-native fish or parts thereof whether alive or dead, other than dead Carp.
• Use live birds or live mammals.
• Use prohibited size fish as bait.
• Use Trout and Salmon roe or products containing them.
• Use “Power bait”TM or any other similarly artificially manufactured bait product in artificial fly and lure waters and trout spawning streams. Refer to table in NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2012 for a list of permitted baits in general trout waters and for a list of trout waters in NSW.

Crayfish.
You are not permitted to:
• Take Murray Cray fish in notified trout waters.
• Remove the heads, tails and claws or possess tails and or claws when you are in on or adjacent to waters. This means that you cannot remove or possess the heads, tails and claws unless you are well away from the water. This rule does not apply if the crayfish are being prepared for immediate consumption, are being prepared for immediate use as bait, if the crayfish are being cleaned at a fish cleaning facility or a fish cleaning table at a boat .
• It is illegal to keep crayfish, including yabbies, Murray crayfish or other spiny crayfish with eggs, or to remove those eggs. Crayfish with eggs must be returned to the water.

General.
You are not permitted to:
• Take or attempt to take any species in waters closed to fishing.
• Possess excess fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters.
• Take threatened or protected species.
• Keep prohibited size fish – prohibited size fish should be immediately returned unharmed to the water.
• Be in excess of your possession limit of fish when transporting or storing such fish. An exception is if the fish have been purchased from a registered fish receiver e.g. a fish shop.
• Use any methods (e.g line fishing, traps, nets, bait collection) in closed areas. Refer to NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide 2012.
• Sell recreational catch.

NSW RECREATIONAL FISHING FEE

When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee and carry a receipt showing the payment of the fee. This applies when spear fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait collecting and prawn netting or when in possession of fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters.

You can pay for the fishing fee at:
• most tackle outlets, caravan parks, local shops, service stations and K Mart stores in NSW.
• by calling 1300 369 365 (Visa and Mastercard only).
• on the internet at NSW Government Licensing Service

Note: All information reproduced courtesy of NSW Department Primary Industries