Recreational fishers are reminded that the annual fishing closure, in trout streams and rivers across NSW, is in place from today (Tuesday 13 June 2023).
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Deputy Director General Fisheries, Sean Sloan said the closure allows salmonid species to breed uninterrupted during their annual spawning run, ensuring we protect our fishing assets for future seasons.
“Fishing is now prohibited in trout rivers and streams until the start of the October long weekend (Saturday, 30 September 2023),” Mr Sloan said.
“The good news is that during the annual closure, people can continue to wet a line, at any of our popular trout dams across NSW such as Lake Jindabyne and Eucumbene Dam in the Snowy Mountains, Oberon Dam near Bathurst, Tantangara and Talbingo Dams near Tumut and Malpas Dam near Armidale.”
Mr Sloan said it is an offence to fish in trout streams during the closed season and that DPI Fisheries Officers will be out and about across the trout closure period patrolling the State’s waterways to ensure that fishers are doing the right thing.
“Fishers heading to any of the trout dams this winter are reminded that they are required to have a current NSW recreational fishing fee receipt (fishing licence) on them at all times while fishing,” Mr Sloan said.
“A combined bag limit of five and a size limit of 25cm applies to trout or salmon in all trout dams except in artificial fly and lure dams where the bag limit is 2.
“Fishers also have more opportunity to enjoy quality angling with rule changes for the Macquarie River (excluding tributaries above its junction with, and including, Lewis Ponds Creek) and the Turon River and tributaries below the Upper Turon Road crossing, which are now open to fishing during the annual trout closure.
“Fishing rules for Lake Crackenback, near Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains, and Lake Pillans at Lithgow have also recently changed with Lake Crackenback now listed as an artificial fly and lure trout dam and Lake Pillans now listed as a general trout dam.”
Detailed information on trout fishing rules, including changes to the Macquarie and Turon rivers, Lake Crackenback and Lake Pillans, can be found on the DPI website, in the NSW DPI FishSMART app and the NSW Freshwater Fishing Guide, which is available from NSW DPI Fisheries offices and most bait and tackle stores.
Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported through the FishSmart app or to the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or via the online form –