Recreational Fishing

Freshwater traps and nets

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. Note: yabby traps, hand hauled yabby nets and landing nets are not permitted in Murray River from Yarrawonga Weir downstream to the Newell highway bridge at Tocumwal in the period between January to August inclusive and during December in each year.

Yabby trap

Maximum dimensions	1 x 0.6 x 0.3 m
Mesh size	13mm minimum, calculated on the narrowest point of any axis.
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.
Note	The use of yabby traps is banned in public waters east of the Newell Highway and in three stretches of river west of the Newell Highway: the Edward River upstream of Stevens Weir, the Murray River upstream of the Echuca/Moama Rd Bridge and the Murrumbidgee River upstream of Darlington Point Rd Bridge.
Maximum set time	24 hours before lifting.

Help reduce wildlife drownings in yabby traps

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.
Maximum set time	24 hours before lifting.

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.
Maximum set time	24 hours before lifting.

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.