Tuesday, March 26, 2024
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Bass and EP season opens in NSW

ANGLERS can get back to targeting some of Australia’s great native sportsfish, with the annual three month fishing closure for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch drawing to a close.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Recreational Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said an annual zero bag limit for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch has been in place from 1 June to 1 September 2015 in all rivers and estuaries (except in impoundments and in rivers above impoundments) to protect these species during spawning.

“Both species are sought after sportfish and are found in coastal rivers and lakes,” Mr Westaway said.

“Both species form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity over late autumn and early winter to trigger spawning.

“When they are in these large groups they can be vulnerable to fishing, so a three month zero bag limit for these fish applies.”
 Mr Westaway said the spawning period for these fish has now finished, with most returning to their spring and summer feeding ground higher up in the catchment.

“From today, September 1, anglers can once again take these native species, however they are reminded that strict bag limits do apply,” Mr Westaway said.

A total bag limit of two Australian Bass or Estuary Perch per person or a combination of both with a possession limit of four is in place.

Only one fish is permitted to be over 35 centimetres in length when fishing in rivers.

Recreational fishers who are unsure of the fisheries rules should check before they go fishing.  Fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and improve our fisheries resources for our future generations.

Information on freshwater fishing rules can be found in the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide from DPI Fisheries offices, online, at fishing licence agents and at bait and tackle shops.

People can report suspected illegal fishing to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536.

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