Permitted 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.
The number of attended lines and hooks permitted is summarised in the table.
Summary of permitted lines and hooks
|
Non-tidal waters |
Maximum attended lines |
Maximum hooks permitted per line |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters (other than trout waters) | 2 (hand lines or rods and lines) | 2 |
| General trout dams | 2 (rods and lines only) | 2 or 3 (being artificial flies / lures only) |
| General trout streams | 1 (rod and line only) | 2 |
| Artificial fly and lure dams (no bait fishing) | 1 (rod and line only) | 3 (being artificial flies / lures only) |
| Artificial fly and lure streams (no bait fishing) | 1 (rod and line only) | 2 (being artificial flies / lures only) |
| Trout spawning streams (no bait fishing) | 1 (rod and line only) | 2 (being artificial flies / lures only) |
Up to three (3) treble hooks attached to any lure per line is permitted (a lure is considered to be a single hook).
The following baits are permitted in general trout waters only: Natural flies or insects or their larvae, Worms, Shrimps, Yabbies, Mussels, artificial baits (except products containing trout and salmon roe) and plant matter.
Permitted traps and nets are the yabby trap, shrimp trap, hoop net, hand hauled yabby net and landing net. No other traps and nets are permitted in inland waters. Traps and nets must be lifted within a 24 hour period (except commercial fishers).
Legal dimensions, mesh sizes and closed areas for traps and nets are available from your local Fisheries Office. In certain waters, you may use, or have in your possession, a maximum of 5 yabby traps, 1 shrimp trap and 5 hoop (lift) nets - all tagged with your name and address. For fixed mesh, the size is calculated on the narrowest point of any axis. For soft netting such as used in hoop nets, mesh size is calculated across the diagonal.
Specific closures may prohibit the use of, or limit the number of, traps and nets.
Yabby trap
| Maximum dimensions | 1 x 0.6 x 0.3 m |
|---|---|
| Mesh size | 13mm minimum measured across the stretched diagonal from knot to knot. Rigid mesh such as metal or hard plastic is prohibited. |
| Entrance funnels | A bycatch reduction device must be fitted to all entrance funnels. The device must consist of a rigid ring with a maximum internal diameter of 90mm permanently affixed to entry funnels at some point along their length, so as to restrict the entry funnels to a maximum opening of 90mm measured in any direction. |
| Maximum number | Unless otherwise specified, five nets may be set, used or in your possession. |
| Identification | The position of any trap must be marked above water by a stake or buoy. Each trap must also be tagged with the owners name plus residential address and/or boat registration number. |
| Maximum set time | 24 hours before lifting. |
Shrimp trap
| Maximum dimensions | 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.5 m |
|---|---|
| Mesh size | 13mm maximum, calculated across the diagonal |
| Entrance funnels | Inner hole maximum width of 35mm in order to keep out larger animals. |
| Maximum number | Unless otherwise specified, one net may be set, used or in your possession. |
| Identification | The position of any trap must be marked at, or above, water level by a tag with the owners name plus residential address and/or boat registration number. |
Hoop net or lift net
| Maximum dimensions | Net attached to no more than two hoops, rings or frames not more than 1.25 m at their greatest diameter or diagonal. Maximum drop of net to be 1 m. |
|---|---|
| Mesh size | 13mm minimum, calculated across the diagonal |
| Maximum number | Unless otherwise specified, five nets may be set, used or in your possession. |
| Identification | Each net must be tagged with the owners name plus residential address and/or boat registration number. |
Hand-hauled yabby net
| Maximum dimension | Up to 6 m in length |
|---|---|
| Mesh size | 40mm maximum, calculated across the diagonal |
| Note | Can only be used in ground tanks, bore drains or lagoons. Must be continuously and manually propelled not set or staked. |
