Permitted Devices
Remember that there might be further restrictions on the number of devices that can be used at any one time if you are also using other permitted devices at the same time. If you have any questions about the number of devices you can use, call FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522 (freecall, 24 hours).
Rod and handlines
Bow and arrow
Crab rake, Cockle rake
Drop net
Fish spear, hand spear
Hand net
Hoop net
Mesh net
Mussel dredge
Rock lobster pot
Shrimp trap
Snare
Yabbie pot
Rod and handlines
Each person can use:- up to two rods, or
- two handlines, or
- one of each.
Each line can have:
- up to three hooks attached, or
- up to five hooks joined eye to shank or threaded together (this will be considered as one hook).
In addition, each person can use one teaserline (a baited line without hooks, normally used to attract squid). When the line is used from a jetty, pier, wharf or breakwater, the person must stay within 50 metres of the line at all times.
Bow and arrow
The only species that can be taken by bow and arrow is the European carp.The activity can only take place:
- during daylight
- in the waters of the River Murray, other than the main stream
- at least 50 metres from all other persons not involved in the fishing activity.
Crab Rake, Cockle Rake
Crab or cockle rakes are hand-held devices used for scraping the water-bed. They consist of a pole with a rake and can have a net or mesh bag attached.
Drop net
A drop net consists of two hoops joined by a cylindrical or cone-shaped net bag. Note that drop nets are not the same as hoop nets and regulations vary. Drop nets do not need to be registered.Specifications
| Maximum hoop diameter: | 107 cm |
| Maximum depth: | 92 cm |
| Maximum number allowed: | 3 drop nets per person. If you are using (up to three) drop nets to catch rock lobster, you are not entitled to use any other fishing gear other than a fishing rod or handline. |
| Marking – marine waters: | 1 white buoy, 4 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – Lakes and Coorong: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – River Murray: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended |
Fish spear or hand spear
Hand-held fish spears or spear guns can be used in most waters of South Australia and do not need to be registered. However, certain restrictions apply.Spearfishing with a hand fish spear or a spear gun is not permitted:
- in the Hindmarsh and Inman Rivers and within 200 metres of their mouths
- in Gulf St Vincent within 600 metres of high water mark between Outer Harbour (southern most breakwater) and Gulf View Road, Christies Beach (where the Port Noarlunga Aquatic Reserve commences) – spears are not allowed to be used unless south of Onkaparinga Head
- within 100 metre of jetties, landings and wharves, including foreshore areas
- in the waters of Second Valley Bay contained within the boundaries of the western extremity of the bay to the eastern extremity of the bay.
You can carry a fish spear or unloaded spear in the above waters, but only if carrying the device to or from a boat.
Carrying and/or using a hand fish spear or a spear gun is not permitted in:
- the River Murray and all other freshwater rivers and streams of South Australia, including the land up to 100 metres from them
- all aquatic reserves (except Blanche Harbour-Douglas Bank where you can use hand fish spears to take scale fish and shark, but no other organisms)
- all waters of the West Lakes system and the foreshore areas (including reserves for public use) adjacent to those waters.
Other restrictions
- Carrying or using any form of fish spear (including spear guns) while using underwater breathing apparatus such as hookah or SCUBA is prohibited.
- It is an offence to take, or attempt to take, rock lobster with a speargun or any other pointed instrument.
- A diver is not allowed to carry a handspear, spear gun or device that operates by means of an explosive cartridge.
- Powerheads can be carried but must not be used for fishing purposes. Powerheads are for protection only and must not be attached to a spear.
Power heads
- A diver is not allowed to carry a handspear, spear gun or device that operates by means of an explosive cartridge.
- A diver can only carry a device that operates by means of an explosive cartridge if it is not attached to a hand fish spear or spear gun, or if the device is carried only for protection. Any fish killed or injured by the device must be left in the water.
You can download the brochure, Fishing Regulations: a guide for recreational divers in South Australia, or call the 24 hour FISHWATCH hotline on 1800 065 522 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.
Hand net
A hand net consists of conical-shaped netting joined to a hoop that is attached to a rigid handle. It can be a dab net, dip net or shrimp net. Only one hand net per person can be used. Hand nets do not need to be registered.
Specifications
| Maximum hoop diameter: | 100 cm (1 metre) |
| Maximum depth of net: | 100 cm (1 metre) |
Hoop net
This consists of one hoop holding a cone-shaped net bag. Note that hoop nets are not the same as drop nets and regulations vary. Hoop nets do not need to be registered but must be buoyed and tagged correctly.Link to marking devices page
Specifications
| Maximum hoop diameter: | 107 cm |
| Maximum depth of net bag: | 92 cm |
Maximum number permitted:
| for marine fish and inland waters: | Up to 10 hoop nets if no other fishing device (other than rod and handline) is being used |
| Up to 3 hoop nets if other fishing gear (other than rod and handline) is being used | |
| fishing for crab: | Up to 10 hoop nets if no other device (including rod and handline) is being used |
| Up to 3 hoop nets if other fishing gear (including rod and handline is being used | |
| fishing for rock lobster: | Up to 3 hoop nets if no other device (other than rod and handline) is being used |
| Marking – marine waters: | 1 white buoy, 4 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – Lakes and Coorong: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended | |
| Marking – River Murray: | 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended |
|
| Note: | The use of hoop nets is prohibited in the main stream section of commercial fishing reaches of the River Murray. |
Mesh nets
The use of mesh nets is not permitted in marine coastal waters of South Australia.
Mesh nets can be used in some circumstances in the Lakes and Coorong region, but all recreational mesh nets must be registered before they can be used. Contact your local Fisheries Office for more information.
Specifications
| Coorong | |
| Maximum length: | 75 metres |
| Minimum mesh size: | 50 mm |
| Maximum mesh size: | 64 mm |
| Mesh panel: | No more than one metre in depth |
| Marking: | 2 black buoys at one end, one yellow buoy at the other |
| If the net exceeds 50 metres in length it must be marked with floating red buoys at intervals not exceeding 50 metres | |
| Setting: | The net must float when set |
| The operator must be within at least 50 metres of the net at all times | |
| The net must not be set within 200 metres of any other net | |
| Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina | |
| Maximum length: | 75 mm |
| Minimum mesh size: | 110 mm |
| Maximum mesh size: | 150 mm |
| Mesh panel: | Have a mesh panel so that it floats with no part of the net more than 2 metres below the surface of the water |
| Marking: | 2 black buoys at one end, one yellow buoy at the other |
| If the net exceeds 50 metres in length it must be marked with floating red buoys at intervals not exceeding 50 metres | |
| Setting: | The net must only be set from the water’s edge |
| The net must float when set | |
| The operator must be within at least 50 metres of the net at all times | |
| The net must not be set within 200 metres of any other net |
|
| Lake George |
Note that Lake George is occasionally closed to all types of fishing. For the latest information regarding fishing in Lake George contact FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.
| Maximum length: | 75 mm |
| Minimum mesh size: | 70 mm |
| Marking: | 2 black buoys at one end, one yellow buoy at the other |
| Setting: |
The net must be attended by the registered owner between one and a half hours after sunrise and one and a half hours before sunset on the same day. |
Mussel dredge
A mussel dredge can only be used by hand.Specifications
| Maximum width: | 1 metre |
| Maximum depth of net: | 1 metre |
Rock Lobster Pot
All rock lobster pots must be registered before they can be used and can only be used for personal use.Specifications
| Maximum width: | 1.5 metre |
| Maximum height: | 1.2 metre |
| Maximum number permitted: | 2 |
| Marking: | 1 red buoy, volume 4 litres |
| A current registration tag | |
| Mouth of the pot: | The mouth must be at the top |
| Escape gaps: | 2 escape gaps on opposite sides of the pot |
| Distance: | The tops of the escape gaps must be no more than 11 cm from the base of the pot |
| Minimum size of escape gaps: | 15 cm wide by 5.5 cm high |
| If no escape gaps: | The pot must be covered in a mesh that will allow a cylindrical rod 5 cm in diameter to easily pass through |
Shrimp trap
Shrimp traps used within a commercial fishing reach must be set from the waters edge.Specifications
| Maximum dimension: | 40 cm |
| Maximum height: | 20 cm |
| Minimum mesh hole size: | 5 mm |
| Maximum number permitted: | 1 per person |
| Marking: | 1 white buoy (if not set from shore) |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner |
Snare
A snare is a noose attached to a length of tubing designed and constructed for the taking of rock lobster.
Yabbie pot (including Opera House)
Yabbie pots do not need to be registered, but do need to be buoyed (if not set from shore) and tagged.Specifications
| Maximum dimension: | 100 cm (1 metre) |
| Maximum funnel diameter: | 7.5 cm |
| Maximum number permitted: | 3 per person |
| Structure: | No more than 2 fixed entrance funnels allowed |
| Marking: | 1 white buoy (if not set from shore) |
| 1 tag with name and address of owner |
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/fishing_gear/permitted_devices
- Page Last Modified: October 31, 2007