Fishermen will hit Central West waterways from this Saturday with the official opening of the state’s trout season.
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Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Fisheries Manager Cameron Westaway said fishing restrictions during the spawning period have allowed the species to travel up rivers and streams to breed and replenish numbers.
“Given the state’s current dry conditions, many streams and rivers are experiencing below-average flows, however the spring weather and well-stocked waterways will still see fishers flocking to their favourite fishing spots,” he said.
“Many keen anglers are expected to head to popular fishing destinations, as well as many other streams in the Central Tablelands and New England areas.”
By the end of the October long weekend, more than 1.3 million juvenile rainbow trout and over 110,000 juvenile brown trout will have been released
Mr Westaway said wild trout numbers would also be boosted by a series of planned releases during the 2018-19 fish stocking season, with approximately three million trout and salmon to be released across the state.
“By the end of the October long weekend, more than 1.3 million juvenile rainbow trout and over 110,000 juvenile brown trout will have been released into the rivers and streams across the Central Tablelands and New England regions,” he said.
“Releases are conducted by DPI in conjunction with the Central and New England Trout Acclimatisation Societies, and stocking will continue over the coming months in the Southern Highlands and Monaro regions and in the various trout dams.”
The open season for recreational fishing in trout streams closes on June 10, 2019 – following the June long weekend – but all trout dams remain open to fishing.
DPI Director Fisheries Compliance Patrick Tully said while most fishers were aware of size and bag limits and would abide by the rules, fisheries officers would be in the field to ensure all fishers obeyed the law.
“It’s important all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence prior to fishing this weekend,” he said.
Information on the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee and trout fishing rules are available from www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.
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