NSW Department of Primary Industries general fisheries deputy director Sean Sloan said the closure allowed 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, September 30),” 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 was an offence to fish in trout streams during the closed season and DPI fisheries officers would be out and about across the trout closure period patrolling the state’s waterways to ensure that fishers were 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 two.”
Treated wastewater release
Fully treated wastewater from Goulburn Valley Water’s Shepparton Wastewater Management Facility will be released over coming weeks.
The wastewater storage lagoons at Shepparton are reaching capacity as a result of flooding last year, combined with a cooler than usual summer.
The release began on June 8 to the Goulburn River and is expected to continue for the next 120 days.
Around 10 megalitres per day will be released.
Goulburn Valley Water’s wastewater and recycling coordinator Stuart Harris said releasing excess fully treated wastewater from the storages helped to reduce any potential for uncontrolled overflows.
The water being released has been fully treated and meets Class C standards. The EPA has approved the release and Goulburn Valley Water will work closely with them to monitor for any unexpected impacts on the environment.
Strict water quality monitoring processes remain in place to protect the health of communities and environments.
For more information, phone Goulburn Valley Water’s 24/7 customer service centre on 1800 454 500.