FISHOS are reminded that the annual fishing closure for Australian bass and estuary perch in all coastal rivers and estuaries in NSW will commence on Wednesday 1 May 2024.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) acting program leader Fish Stocking & Enhancement Operations Matthew McLellan said during the winter months, these popular native sportfish species form large groups and migrate to parts of estuaries with the right salinity to trigger spawning.
“The zero-bag limit over this four-month period helps protect these native sportfish while they spawn over winter,” McLellan said.
“This will ensure they can remain a popular catch with recreational fishers for many generations to come.
“It is important that fishers respect this closure from 1 May through to 31 August, as the spawning period is key to protecting breeding adults and supporting successful recruitment of these iconic species.
“Any Australian bass or estuary perch caught in estuaries and in rivers below dams during the closure must be returned to the water immediately with care.”
The zero-bag limit does not apply to Australian bass and estuary perch caught in freshwater dams or in rivers above impoundments, as the fish do not breed in these areas.
The zero-bag limit for these species does not close any waters to fishing and does not affect anglers fishing for other estuarine species, such as bream or flathead during the colder months.
