ANGLERS looking to catch a trout are reminded that the June long weekend is their last opportunity in designated streams and rivers across NSW, before the fishing season closes in these waters over winter.
NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Inland Senior Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said the annual closure will start on Tuesday 14 June and re-open in time for the October long weekend on Saturday 1 October 2016.
“This closure allows brown, rainbow and brook trout to breed uninterrupted during their annual spawning run, while also allowing trout fishers to fish during both the June and October long weekends,” Westaway said.
Anglers can continue fishing for trout during the annual closure, without breaking the rules, at any of the trout dams across the State that have been stocked as part of the NSW DPI fish stocking program.
“Popular winter fishing spots include Lakes Jindabyne and Eucumbene, Oberon Dam near Bathurst, Tantangara and Talbingo Dams near Tumut and Lake Wallace and Thompson’s Creek Dam near Lithgow.
“DPI, in conjunction with local acclimatisation societies, has been stocking trout dams and rivers in NSW for many years.
“During the 2015/16 season, around 2.9 million trout were stocked in NSW waterways, consisting of approximately 2 million Rainbow Trout, 630,000 Brown Trout, 150,000 Atlantic Salmon and 110,000 Brook Trout.”
NSW DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, said it is an offence to fish in trout streams during the closed season and fisheries officers will also be patrolling waterways across the State to ensure that fishers are adhering to the closure.
“Fishers heading to one of the trout dams this winter are reminded that they are still required to have a current NSW recreational fishing licence receipt on them at all times while fishing,” Mr Tully said.
“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.”
Detailed information on the fishing rules can be found at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au or in the 2016-17 NSW Freshwater Fishing Guide which is available from DPI Fisheries offices and most bait and tackle stores.