Nsw Trout Fishing Season Opens This Weekend

[Dreamtime]

29 Sep 2008

Anglers should get ready for some excellent trout fishing with the opening of the annual NSW trout fishing season on 4 October, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

"This opening weekend follows the end of the annual spawning period, which has allowed trout to travel up rivers and streams to breed uninterrupted," Minister Macdonald said.

"Warmer spring weather will no doubt see fisherman flock to the State’s waterways on Saturday.

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

"Keen anglers will continue to flock to popular fishing spots such as Lakes Jindabyne and Eucumbene, Oberon Dam near Bathurst, Tantangara and Talbingo Dams near Tumut and Lake Wallace and Thompson’s Creek Dam near Lithgow."

Minister Macdonald said the 2008/09 fish stocking season had started and there were many planned trout releases, with approximately three million trout and salmon to be released across NSW this stocking season.

"By the end of the October long weekend more than 600,000 rainbow trout fry will have been released into the rivers and streams of the New England region," he said.

"These releases are conducted by NSW Department of Primary Industries in conjunction with the New England Trout Acclimatisation Society.

"An additional 155,000 rainbow trout fry have been released in the Central Tablelands area in conjunction with the Central Acclimatisation Society.

"The open season for recreational fishing in designated trout streams will close following the 2009 June long weekend, while all trout dams remain open to fishing all year."

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Manager Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said fisheries officers would be out in force for the opening of the season to advise anglers on the fishing laws, enforce size and bag limits and ensure NSW fishing rules are obeyed.

Mr Tritton said anglers should check that they have a current NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, available from more than 1,100 agents including bait and tackle stores and &*(&^ or on 1300 369 365.

"People found without a licence can be issued with on-the-spot penalties of $200," he said.

Money raised from the recreational licence is placed in Trusts, overseen by angler representatives, and can only be used to create better recreational fishing opportunities.

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