Fishers across the State can now target Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in NSW waters from today, 1 September, as the annual three-month closed season comes to an end.
Deputy Director General NSW DPI Fisheries Sean Sloan said the annual fishing closure for these popular sportfish is important to protect these native species for future generations.
“These iconic fish have now completed their annual spawning and migration, which occurs each year over late autumn and early winter,” Mr Sloan said.
“A zero-bag limit is put in place each year in estuaries and rivers below impoundments between 1 June and 31 August, to allow the fish to form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity, to trigger spawning.
“From today, 1 September, anglers can take both Australian Bass and Estuary Perch, however they are reminded that strict bag limits do apply.”
A bag limit of two and possession limit of four applies to Australian Bass and Estuary Perch, either for a single species or a combination of both species.
Mr Sloan said it’s important for fishers to remember when fishing in rivers, that only one fish is permitted to be over 35 centimeters in length.
“The department enforces the annual four month zero-bag limit because during their spawning season, the schools of fish can be vulnerable to fishing,” Mr Sloan said.
“Now, in spring, most fish will have returned to their warmer weather feeding grounds higher up in the catchment.
“After the spawning season, we are expecting it to be a great fishing season for both species, so we encourage fishers to wet a line this spring and summer.
“The great news is the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will commence the stocking of Australian Bass during September and October in impoundments across NSW.”
Information on freshwater fishing rules can be found on the Fishsmart app or online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing. Fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and improve our fisheries resources for our future generations.
Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported through the FishSmart app, the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or via the online report form here – https://fal.cn/3gJWh.
