VICTORIA is taking the first steps toward reciprocal licences along the border with New South Wales, with a 12-month trial at Lake Hume.
From 1 January 2021, recreational fishers who hold a NSW fishing licence will not require a Victorian fishing licence to wet a line at Lake Hume, which is managed as a solely Victorian fishery.
It is hoped that in return, NSW will accept a Victorian fishing licence for Lake Mulwala and eventually the entire Murray River.
People fishing in Lake Hume need a Victorian fishing licence, while people fishing Lake Mulwala, further downstream, require a NSW fishing licence.
This year-long trial reduces red tape on border communities by reducing the need for some border community residents to have two separate licences to fish at Lake Hume.
The trial is supported by VRFish, which represents recreational fishers in Victoria, and the Futurefish Foundation. It is also supported by the Cross-Border Commissioner, the Victorian recreational fishing grants working group which advises on how to spend licence fees, and Victorian Fisheries Officers that look after the Lake Hume fishery.
Victorian Fisheries says it has stocked more than 2.6 million trout, gold perch, silver perch and Murray cod into Lake Hume over the last 10 years to create a mixed fishery that provides great freshwater opportunities year-round.
