Zero bag limit for bass and perch

Fishers are reminded that a closure on taking Australian bass and estuary perch from all rivers and estuaries in NSW will be in place from May 1, for a four-month period.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Inland Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said the annual zero bag limit period has been extended to protect early migrating species.

"The zero bag limit will be in place from May to August, to protect these important native fish species while they spawn," Mr Westaway said.

"Both Australian bass and estuary perch form schools and migrate to parts of estuaries with the correct salinity to trigger spawning.

"These great native sports fish can be vulnerable to fishing when they are in large groups – hence the reason for the closure."

Mr Westaway said the zero bag limit does not apply to Australian bass and estuary perch caught in freshwater impoundments and dams, as they do not breed in these areas.

"All fish in freshwater impoundments, including Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam in the Hunter Valley, Brogo Dam near Bega and Clarrie Hall and Toonumbar Dams in the northeast are stocked fisheries, meaning anglers may continue to fish for these species in those waters all year round," Mr Westaway said.

"It’s worth noting the zero bag limit closure for rivers and estuaries does permit catch and release of these species during the spawning closure.

"The zero bag limit does not close any waters to fishing and does not affect anglers fishing for other estuary species, such as bream of flathead.

"However, any Australian bass or estuary perch caught must be immediately returned to the water with the least possible injury."

DPI fisheries officers will be patrolling bass waters during the zero bag limit period to advise anglers on the fishing rules and enforce size and bag limits for other species.