Trout spawning season starts May 1

Anglers in the Snowy Mountains are reminded that the annual trout spawning season commences in the region from May 1, 2016.

NSW 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).

"The fishing can be fantastic which can attract large numbers of anglers," Mr Westaway said.

"This is a great opportunity to catch large early spawning trout in the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers, with special rules to protect these fish.

"DPI, in conjunction with local acclimatisation societies, has been stocking trout dams and rivers in NSW for many years, however. it is important to provide increased protection for brown and rainbow trout during their annual spawning runs which provide the majority of recruitment to Eucumbene and Jindabyne Dams."

A minimum size limit of 50cm, daily bag limit of one and possession limit of two trout will apply to these rivers from May 1 to the end of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend on Monday June 13.

"Anglers can use one attended rod and line with up to two hooks with artificial flies or lures and up to three treble hooks attached to any lure is permitted, but any fishing gear rigged for bait fishing is prohibited," Mr Westaway said.

"The restrictions provide fishers with the opportunity to catch a trophy-sized trout – in particular the Eucumbene River has provided excellent fishing for large brown trout over the past few years."

Fisheries officers will be patrolling the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers to ensure that fishers are abiding by these rules.

DPI is also working with stakeholders to assess whether a car park can be installed near the Denison camp area to reduce damage to access tracks and problems with vehicles adjacent to the river. Fishers are reminded not to damage roads, to respect the environment, to fish safely, to be courteous to other fishers and to take any rubbish home.

The annual closure on fishing in trout streams for the rest of NSW will be in place from Tuesday June 14, 2016, allowing brown and rainbow trout to breed uninterrupted until the trout fishing season re-opens on the October long weekend at 12:00am on Saturday October 1, 2016.

Trout dams remain open to fishing throughout the year.

"When the season opens again in October, a minimum size limit of 25cm, daily bag limit of two and possession limit of four trout will again apply to the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers," Mr Westaway said. More at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs.

Photo credit: Second photo of a buck rainbow trout by Steve Dunn.