Trout, salmon fishing season comes to a close

2 Jun 2020

Keen anglers are set to make the most of the June long weekend to wet a line before the fishing season for trout and salmon closes for designated rivers and streams across NSW over the winter months.

NSW DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Inland Cameron Westaway said the closure allows the brown, rainbow and brook trout, and salmon, to breed during their annual spawning run.

“The annual closure will start at the conclusion of the June long weekend on Tuesday 9 June and re-open at the start of the October long weekend. A total fishing closure is in place for all notified trout streams during this period,” Mr Westaway said.

“There are still a number of trout dams across the State that anglers can continue to fish for trout during the closed season, many of which have been stocked as part of the NSW DPI fish stocking program.”

A combined bag limit of five and a size limit of 25cm applies for trout or salmon in all trout dams except Thompsons Creek Dam and Black Lake where the bag limit is two.

A zero bag limit applies for Australian bass and estuary perch from 1 May to 31 August.

Australian bass or estuary perch caught in rivers during the fishing closure must be returned to the water immediately with the least possible harm.

“The closures protect these fish species during this spawning period to ensure they can remain a popular catch with recreational fishers into the future," Mr Westaway said.

"However, it does not close any waters to fishing and does not affect anglers fishing for other estuary species.

“Fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and share our fisheries resources for future generations, and DPI Fisheries officers will target anglers illegally retaining Australian bass or estuary perch during the four month closure.”

Australian bass and estuary perch can continue to be taken within the bag limit of two in freshwater impoundments and in rivers above impoundments during the closure period.

For more information on fishing rules and regulations can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries.

The NSW DPI FishSmart app provides recreational fishers 24/7 smartphone access to essential information for fishing in NSW. It is available in the App Store or on Google Play.

Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported through the FishSmart app or to the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.

Fishers are encouraged to download the federal government’s COVID Safe app, and are reminded that they must continue to observe other COVID-19 restrictions around social distancing and travel.

Media contact: (02) 6391 3686