Trout and salmon fishing rules

Key to notified trout waters

Notified Trout Waters	Fishing Season	Attended Rods and Lines	Number of hooks	Legal Length (cm)	Bag Limit per day (single or combined)
Artificial Fly & Lure Waters (Table 1)	Saturday morning October long weekend to Monday night June long weekend (except dams which are open all year)	1 Gear rigged for bait fishing, including, manufactured bait product is prohibited.	2 in streams (with up to 3 hooks per artificial fly or lure) & 3 in dams, (where those hooks are artificial flies or lures).	25	2
Trout Spawning Streams(Table 2)	1 May to end June long weekend. (Note: Trout Spawning Streams become Artificial Fly and Lure Waters from Saturday October long weekend to 30 April each year inclusive)	1 Gear rigged for bait fishing, including manufactured bait product is prohibited.	2 (with up to 3 hooks per artificial fly or lure)	50	1 Catch and release fishing permitted once the daily bag and possession limit has been reached
General Trout Streams (Table 3)	Saturday morning October long weekend to Monday night June long weekend	1 Bait fishing allowed. Manufactured bait product is permitted except salmon roe or products containing them.	2 (with up to 3 hooks per artificial fly or lure)	25	5
General Trout Dams (Table 4)	All year	2 Bait fishing allowed. Manufactured bait product is permitted except salmon roe or products containing them	2 (with up to 3 hooks per artificial fly or lure) or 3 (where those hooks are artificial flies or lures).	25	5
All other waters	All year	2 Hand lines permitted. Bait fishing allowed. Manufactured bait product is permitted except salmon roe or products containing them	2 (with up to 3 hooks per artificial fly or lure). Bait fishing allowed.	25	10

Note:

1. The bag limit is comprised of any single species or a combination of the species Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout fishing methods apply to all species. Note. Salmon or trout may not be taken with any lure or bait other than: (a) natural flies or insects, or their larvae, or (b) worms, shrimps, yabbies or mussels, or (c) artificial lures or baits, or (d) plant matter. Other prohibited methods.

2. An attended rod and line means a rod and line that is within a person’s line of sight and that person remains within 50 metres of that rod and line. Note. 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).

Artificial fly and lure waters (Table 1)

Southern NSW Trout Waters
Bobundara Creek	County of Wellesley. The whole of the Waters of Bobundara Creek and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Snowy River.
Eucumbene River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Waters of the Eucumbene River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Dam wall of Lake Eucumbene and including Providence Portal.
Khancoban Creek	County of Selwyn: The whole of the Waters of Khancoban Creek, together with all of its tributaries, from its confluence with the backed-up Waters of Khancoban Pondage upstream to its source and including that part of Broken Back Creek from the wall of Murray 2 Pondage downstream to its confluence with the Waters of Khancoban Creek.
Kybeyan River	County of Beresford. The whole of the Waters of the Kybeyan River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Numeralla River.
Maclaughlin River	County of Wellesley. The whole of the Waters of the Maclaughlin River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction, but not including, the Snowy River.
Mowamba River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Waters of the Mowamba River (or Moonbah River), its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction, but not including, the Snowy River.
Swampy Plains River	County of Selwyn. The whole of the Waters of the Swampy Plains River, its Creeks and tributaries downstream of the southern (upstream) boundary of Khancoban Station and upstream from its junction, but not including, the Murray River.
Thredbo River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Waters of the Thredbo River (or Crackenback River), its Creeks and tributaries upstream from where it enters the backed-up Waters of Lake Jindabyne, but not including that portion of the Thredbo 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 immediately adjacent to the Gaden Trout Hatchery or the Waters of Sawpit Creek).
Flea Creek	County of Cowley: The whole of the Waters of Flea Creek and its tributaries including Tumbledown Creek and its tributaries upstream of the junction with the Goodradigbee River.
Wilde's Meadow Creek	County of Camden: The whole of the Waters of Wilde's Meadow Creek (including its Creeks and tributaries, from a point where its visible flow merges with the backed-up Waters of the Fitzroy Falls Reservoir, upstream to its source).
Black Lake	County of Wellesley. The whole of the Waters of Black Lake .
Central NSW Trout Waters
Bell River	County of Wellington. The whole of the Waters of the Bell River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Belgravia Road cRossing.
Meadow Creek	County of Wellington. The whole of the Waters of the Meadow Creek (or Molong Creek) and its tributaries upstream from its junction, but not including, Borenore Creek.
Thompsons Creek Dam	County of Cook. The whole of the Waters of Thompsons Creek Dam (near Lithgow).

Trout spawning streams (Table 2)

Eucumbene River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Waters of the Eucumbene River and its tributaries upstream of the Dam wall and including the Providence Portal.
Thredbo River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Thredbo River except for a signposted 2.4km reach at Gaden Trout Hatchery. Note: The signposted 2.4km reach of the Thredbo River at Gaden Trout Hatchery is completely closed to fishing all year round.

General trout streams (Table 3)

Southern NSW Trout Waters
Bemboka River	County of Auckland. The whole of the Waters of Bemboka River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream its junction with, and including, Tantawangalo Creek.
Goodradigbee River	County of Buccleuch. The whole of the Waters of the Goodradigbee River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from where it enters the backed-up Waters of Burrinjuck Dam.
Ingeegoodbee River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Waters of the Ingeegoodbee River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Victorian border.
Macphersons Swamp Creek	County of Buccleuch. The whole of the Waters of the Macphersons Creek and tributaries upstream from where it enters the backed-up Waters of Burrinjuck Dam.
Molonglo River	County of Murray. The whole of the Waters of the Molonglo River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the railway bridge at Burbong.
Murray River	County of Selwyn. The whole of the Waters of the Murray River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the road bridge at Tintaldra.
Murrumbidgee River	County of Cowley. The whole of the Waters of the Murrumbidgee River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, including, the Bredbo River
Queanbeyan River	County of Murray. The whole of the Waters of the Queanbeyan River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream of the fence boundary of the Googong Dam Reservoir (about 1 kilometres downstream of the wall of Googong Dam).
Shoalhaven River	County of Murray. The whole of the Waters of the Shoalhaven River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Mongarlowe River.
Snowy River	County of Wallace. The whole of the Waters of the Snowy River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream of the Victorian border.
Tumut River	County of Buccleuch. The whole of the Waters of the Tumut River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Murrumbidgee River.
Tuross River	County of Dampier. The whole of the Waters of the Tuross River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Tuross Falls.
Central NSW Trout Waters
Bell River	County of Wellington. The whole of the Waters of the Bell River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Molong River.
Belubula River	County of Bathurst. The whole of the Waters of the Belubula River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Cherry Tree Falls low level road bridge near Canowindra.
Boree Creek	County of Ashburnham. The whole of the Waters of the Boree Creek and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, Mandagery Creek.
Coxs River	County of Westmoreland. The whole of the Waters of the Coxs River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, Little River (note: there is an exclusion zone of 3 kilometres around Lake Burragorang).
Cudgegong River	County of Phillip. The whole of the Waters of the Cudgegong River, its Creeks and tributaries downstream of the wall of Windermere Dam and upstream from the Lawson Park Weir (Mudgee).
Guinecor Creek	County of Argyle. The whole of the Waters of Guinecor Creek and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Wollondilly River.
KowmungRiver	County of Westmoreland. The whole of the Waters of the KowmungRiver, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Morong Creek (note: there is an exclusion zone of 3 kilometres around Lake Burragorang).
Lachlan River	County of Bathurst. The whole of the Waters of the Lachlan River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Cowra-Young road bridge.
Macquarie River	County of Bathurst. The whole of the Waters of the Macquarie River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Lewis Ponds Creek.
Wollondilly River	County of Argyle. The whole of the Waters of the Wollondilly River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Tarlo River (note: there is an exclusion zone of 3 kilometres around Lake Burragorang).
Northern NSW Trout Waters
Apsley River	County of Vernon. The whole of the Waters of the Apsley River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Tia River.
Barnard River	County of Hawes. The whole of the Waters of the Barnard River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Gulf Creek.
Barrington River	County of Gloucester. The whole of the Waters of the Barrington River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Moppy River.
Beardy Waters	County of Gough. The whole of the Waters Beardy Waters, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Furracabad Creek.
Blicks River	County of Fitzroy. The whole of the Waters of the Blicks River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the road bridge at Dundarrabin.
Carters Brook	County of Durham. The whole of the Waters of Carters Brook, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Stewarts Brook.
Chandler River	County of Clarke. The whole of the Waters of the Chandler River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Wollomombi River.
Cobark River	County of Gloucester. The whole of the Waters of the Cobark River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Dilgry River.
Cooplacurripa River	County of Hawes. The whole of the Waters of the Cooplacurripa River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Mummel River.
Deepwater River	County of Gough. The whole of the Waters of the Deepwater River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream of the New England Highway road bridge near Deepwater.
Dungowan Creek	County of Parry. The whole of the Waters of Dungowan Creek and its tributaries upstream from the road cRossing near Ogunbil Station.
Georges Creek	County of Hardinge. The whole of the Waters of Georges Creek and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Louisa Creek.
Gloucester River	County of Gloucester. The whole of the Waters of the Gloucester River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Sharpes Creek.
Guy Fawkes River	County of Gresham. The whole of the Waters of the Guy Fawkes River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Aberfoyle River.
Gwydir River	County of Hardinge. The whole of the Waters of the Gwydir River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream of the road bridge at Torryburn.
Gwydir River	County of Hardinge. The whole of the Waters of the Gwydir River, its Creeks and tributaries downstream of Copeton Dam and upstream of its junction with, but not including, Dingo Creek.
Horton River	County of Murchison. The whole of the Waters of the Horton River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Cut Road Creek.
Hunter River	County of Brisbane. The whole of the Waters of the Hunter River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, Pages Creek.
Laura Creek	County of Hardinge. The whole of the Waters of Laura Creek and its tributaries of the ford at Baldeslie Station.
Macdonald River	County of Vernon. The whole of the Waters of the Macdonald River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream of the New England Highway road bridge at Bendemeer.
Mcintyre River	County of Gough. The whole of the Waters of the Mcintyre River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the road bridge at Elsmore.
Manning River	County of Gloucester. The whole of the Waters of the Manning River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from the Gummi Trail cRossing.
Moonan Brook	County of Durham. The whole of the Waters of Moonan Brook and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Hunter River.
Moredun Creek	County of Hardinge. The whole of the Waters of Moredun Creek and its tributaries upstream of the ford immediately below its junction with Limestone Creek.
Mulla Creek	County of Parry. The whole of the Waters of Mulla Creek and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Cockburn River.
Myall Creek	County of Hawes. The whole of the Waters of Myall Creek and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Tuggolo Creek.
Nowendoc River	County of Hawes. The whole of the Waters of the Nowendoc River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from Nowendoc Falls.
Nymboida River	County of Sandon. The whole of the Waters of the Nymboida River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Wild Cattle Creek.
Oaky River	County of Clarke. The whole of the Waters of the Oaky River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream from where it enters the backed-up Waters of Oaky River Dam.
Oban River	County of Clarke. The whole of the Waters of the Oban River (or Ann River), its Creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, the Sara River.
Omadale Brook	County of Durham. The whole of the Waters of Omadale Brook and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Polblue Creek.
Styx River	County of Clarke. The whole of the Waters of the Styx River, its Creeks and tributaries upstream of the road cRossing on the Armidale-BellBrook road, but not including that portion of the Serpentine River upstream from Serpentine Falls to the Point Lookout road cRossing (being those Waters immediately adjacent to the Dutton Trout Hatchery).
Swanbrook Creek	County of Gough. The whole of the Waters Swanbrook Creek and its tributaries upstream of the Kings Plain road cRossing near Inverell.
Wellingrove Creek	County of Gough. The whole of the Waters of Wellingrove Creek and its tributaries upstream from the Gwydir Highway road bridge.

General trout dams (Table 4)

Waters	Nearest town
Beardy Waters Dam	Glen Innes
Ben Chifley Dam	Bathurst
Captain's Flat Dam	Queanbeyan
Carcoar Dam	Carcoar
Coolumbooka Weir	Bombala
Diggers Creek Dam	Perisher Valley
Dumaresq Dam	Armidale
Fitzroy Falls Reservoir	Fitzroy Falls
Geehi Dam	Khancoban
Googong Dam	Queanbeyan
Gosling Creek Reservoir	Orange
Guthega Lake	Jindabyne
Happy Jacks Pondage	Khancoban
Island Bend Dam	Jindabyne
Jounama Pondage	Talbingo
Khancoban Pondage	Khancoban
Lake Bathurst	Tarago
Lake Canobolas	Orange
Lake Crackenback	Thredbo
Lake Eucumbene	Adaminaby
Lake Jindabyne	Jindabyne
Lake Lyell	Lithgow
Lake Wallace	Wallerawang
Lake Williams	Nimmitabel
Malpas Dam	Armidale
Mardsen Weir	Goulburn
Murray 2 Pondage	Khancoban
Oberon Dam	Oberon
Paddy's River Dam	Tumberumba
Pejar Dam	Goulburn
Redground Dam (Crookwell water supply)	Crookwell
Rossi Weir	Goulburn
Sheba Dams	Nundle
Talbingo Dam	Talbingo
Tantangara Dam	Adaminaby
Tod Kill Park Dam	Crookwell
Tooma Dam	Khancoban
Tumut Ponds	Adaminaby
Tumut 2 Pondage	Khancoban
Three mile Dam	Kiandra
Wentworth Falls Lake	Wentworth Falls

To see a comprehensive list of freshwater closures download the:

Section 8 Notification � Fishing Closure - Inland Waters & Trout 82.5 kb