The annual trout spawning season is about to commence in the Snowy Mountains and fishers are reminded to check the restrictions in place to ensure protection for early spawning trout.
The following trout information was released today by the NSW Fisheries:
Fishers are reminded that the annual trout spawning season commences in the Snowy
Mountains from 1 May 2014.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Inland Senior Fisheries Manager, Cameron
Westaway, said the annual trout spawning season fishing rules apply to the Thredbo River
and its tributaries and the Eucumbene River and its tributaries (upstream of the Lake
Eucumbene dam wall and including Providence Portal).
“Restrictions are in place from Thursday 1st May to provide protection for early spawning
trout while also providing fishers with the opportunity to catch a trophy sized trout,” Mr
Westaway said.
“The Eucumbene River in particular has provided excellent fishing for large brown trout
over the past two years.
“A minimum size limit of 50cm, daily bag limit of 1 and possession limit of 2 trout will apply
to these waters from 1 May to the end of the Queens Birthday long weekend on Monday 9
June.
“Anglers can use 1 attended rod and line with up to 2 hooks with artificial flies or lures and
up to 3 treble hooks attached to any lure is permitted. Fishing gear rigged for bait fishing is
prohibited.”
The annual closure on fishing in trout streams throughout NSW will then be in place from
Tuesday 10 June 2014 allowing brown and rainbow trout to breed uninterrupted until the
trout fishing season re-opens on the October long weekend on Saturday 4 October 2014.
Trout dams remain open to fishing throughout the year.
“The minimum size limit of 25cm, daily bag limit of 2 and possession limit of 4 trout will
again apply to the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers when the season opens in October,”
Mr Westaway said.
“While 150,000 rainbow trout have been stocked into Lake Eucumbene and 50,000
rainbow trout into Lake Jindabyne each year for more than a decade, it is important to
provide increased protection for brown and rainbow trout during their annual spawning
runs.”
Fisheries officers will be patrolling the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers to ensure that
fishers are abiding by these rules.
All fishers are reminded to respect other users, use facilities provided, dispose of any
rubbish or refuse responsibly and not interfere with other fishers by parking or camping too
close to the water (where permitted) when fishing these rivers.
Detailed information on the fishing rules can be found at the NSW Fisheries Website or in
the NSW Freshwater Fishing Guide which is available from DPI fisheries offices and most
bait and tackle stores.
