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Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2009-2010

Recreational Fishing Guide Contents I Product information for free measures, rulers and pocket cards

Welcome to the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2009-2010


Recreational fishing is big business in Victoria, with anglers spending over $400 million annually on goods and services associated with their pastime. More than 500,000 Victorians grab their rod and reel and head out into the great outdoors every year to spend time by the water with friends and family.

While drought has adversely affected many of our inland fisheries, there is an extensive list of waters that are well worth a visit. Many of them are stocked annually with trout by Fisheries Victoria.

Other waterways are stocked with native fish such as Murray cod and golden perch. In 2008, more than 830,000 native fish were stocked into 35 lakes and rivers across Victoria. Over the next year, fishing opportunities for Victorians will be boosted by 21 projects funded through $1.2 million of recreational fishing licence (RFL) revenue. Projects include new fishing platforms and access stairs, an economic study of recreational fishing in Victoria and a program to promote fishing among disadvantaged primary school children. Although this Guide contains more detailed information on how your licence fees are invested to improve fishing opportunities, I believe this broad range of projects exemplifies the ongoing value of the small fee we pay to fish recreationally in Victoria.

As the Minister Responsible for Fisheries I am very proud of the Brumby Government’s track record with recreational fishing. At the 2006 election, our government committed $42 million to improvefacilities and services for boaters and anglers to get more Victorians outdoors. Many of these commitments have already been delivered, including ceasing all commercial netting in Western Port, boosting fish stocking and reviewing consultative arrangements – with a view to ensuring the views of recreational fishers are better represented to government, particularly in relation to how licence fees are spent.
The Hon Joe Helper MP stocking trout into the Merri River
The Hon, Joe Helper, MP

In addition, a new Adopt-a-Stream program has been introduced to provide funding to fishing and community groups to undertake fisheries habitat improvement works. More fish cleaning tables at public boat ramps and jetties and an additional $1.2 million for the Marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff have also been delivered. There is more about our election commitments in this Guide or you can visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/enhancedfishing.

The Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide remains the primary means by which Fisheries Victoria communicates regulations to anglers. In 2009 significant regulatory changes were introduced after broad consultation and public discussion. A concise summary of these changes is in this Guide so you can easily bring yourself up to speed on what has changed. The new and revised regulations have been made with the aims of better protecting our diverse fisheries and simplifying catch limits and gear restrictions where possible.
Minister Helper
The Hon, Joe Helper, MP
Minister for Agriculture
Minister Responsible for Fisheries

Want to Get a Hard Copy?

The Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide is available in hard copy, free of charge, so that you can take it fishing with you or leave it in your tackle box or boat. Hard copies can be obtained from most fishing tackle shops that sell recreational fishing licences, Department of Primary Industry offices or by ringing the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Please be advised it will take approximately 10 - 14 working days for the guides to arrive after ordering.


To view the attached PDF documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link).

Recreational Fishing Guide 2009-2010 (in two parts):
Recreational Fishing Guide 2009 -2010 Cover
Front Cover of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2009 - 2010

Recreational Fishing Guide 2009-2010 (by section):


1.
Contents (pages 1-3) (PDF 494KB)
  • Message from the Minister

2. About the Guide (page 4-5) (PDF 46KB)
  • Changes Made Since Last Edition

3. Go Fishing in Victoria (page 6-7) (PDF 82KB)

4. Recreational Fishing Licence (pages 8-14) (PDF 266KB)
  • Licence Information
  • Your Fishing Licence Fees at Work

5. Regulation Enforcement (page 15-17) (PDF 106KB)
  • Fisheries Officers
  • Fines and Penalties
  • Reporting Offences
  • Offence Reporting Service (13FISH)

6. Restricted Areas or Closed Waters (pages 18-22) (PDF 456KB)
  • Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries
  • Boundary Markers
  • Aquaculture Fisheries Reserves
  • Intertidal Restrictions
  • Scallops – Port Phillip Restrictions
  • Freshwater Restrictions

7. General Fishing – Rules and Tips (pages 23-25) (PDF 70KB)
  • Bait and Berley
  • Measuring Your Catch
  • Cleaning/Filleting Your Fish
  • Definitions
  • Responsible Fishing Behaviours

8.
Protected Fish (pages 26-27) (PDF 136KB)


9. Limits and Closed Seasons 1 (pages 28-41) (PDF 861)
  • Marine and Estuarine Scale Fish
  • Sharks, Skates and Rays
  • Freshwater Scale Fish (native)
  • Freshwater Scale Fish (introduced)
  • Trout and Salmon Regulations

10. Limits and Closed Seasons 2 (pages 42-56) (PDF 1.2MB)
  • Trout and Salmon Regulations (cont.)
  • Crustaceans
  • Molluscs
  • Other Invertebrates

11. Equipment (pages 57-66) (PDF 178KB)
  • Permitted Use of Recreational Equipment
  • Recreational Equipment Not Permitted
  • Equipment Marine Waters
  • Equipment Inland Waters

12. Spearfishing (page 61) (PDF 29KB)


13. Aquatic Pests (page 68)


14. Fish Habitat and Fishcare (page 63)


15. Fishing Safety (page 64)


16. Enhanced Recreational Fishing Program (page 66-67)


17. Contacts (page 69)



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