Trout Fishing Season Closure Reminder

Anglers have a week to fish in trout streams and rivers before the winter closure.

Trout streams would be closed to recreational fishing after the June long weekend, from Tuesday, June 14, and will reopen on Saturday, October 1.

This annual closure gives brown, and rainbow trout  a chance to breed, but anglers can still fish in designated trout dams all year round.

These closures are an important way of ensuring the valuable recreational fishing industry is sustainable and can continue to benefit rural and regional NSW.

The recreational fishing industry is a major part of many local economies – in the Snowy Mountains region alone, it is estimated to inject $70 million a year into the local economy and support 700 jobs.

Other renowned trout fishing centres include the New England region and the Central and Southern Highlands.

Keen anglers will continue to flock to popular winter fishing spots such as Lakes Jindabyne, Eucumbene and Tantangara dams in the Snowy Mountains, Oberon Dam near Bathurst, Talbingo Dam near Tumut, and Lake Wallace and Thompson’s Creek near Lithgow.

NSW DPI Fisheries officers will be out in force over the long weekend (June 11-13) to advise anglers, enforce size and bag limits and ensure NSW fishing rules are being followed.

Anglers should check they have a current NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, available from more than 1100 agents including bait and tackle stores, K-Mart, Coles and Shell Touch machines or on 1300 369 365.
People found without a licence can be issued with on-the-spot penalties of $200.

Money raised from the recreational licence is placed in Trusts, overseen by angler representatives, and the funds are invested in projects which create better recreational fishing.

Detailed information on trout fishing rules can be found in the NSW DPI Freshwater Fishing Guide, NSW DPI Fisheries offices and most bait and tackle stores.