ANGLERS in NSW are reminded a closure on taking Australian bass and estuary perch from all rivers and estuaries is in place from June 1, for a three month period.
The annual zero bag limit will be in place for three months to protect these fish species while they spawn.
Both Australian bass and estuary perch form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity to trigger spawning. These great native sportfish can be vulnerable to fishing when they are in large groups – hence the reason for the closure.
The zero bag limit does not apply to Australian bass and estuary perch caught in freshwater impoundments and dams, as they do not breed in these areas. All fish in freshwater impoundments, including Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam in the Hunter Valley, Brogo Dam near Bega and Clarrie Hall and Toonumbar Dams in the northeast are stocked fisheries, meaning anglers may continue to fish for these species in those waters all year round.
The zero bag limit does not close any waters to fishing and does not affect anglers fishing for other estuary species, such as bream of flathead. However, any Australian bass or estuary perch caught must be immediately returned to the water with the least possible injury.
DPI fisheries officers will be patrolling bass waters during the zero bag limit period to advise anglers on the fishing rules and enforce size and bag limits for other species.
More info and bass and freshwater fishing rules available at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwater/sw-species/australian-bass
