River Murray Fishing Gear

This section refers to the River Murray proper, its anabranches, tributaries, lagoons and lakes, upstream from the punt joining the towns of Wellington and Wellington East.

It is the fisher’s responsibility to be aware of the regulations that apply to their method of fishing and the limitations on the number and type of devices that can be used.

Permitted devices
Marking of devices
Device specifications
Illegal devices



Permitted devices

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 to your rod and handline you can only use at any one time no more than:

  • 1 hand net, 1 shrimp trap and 3 yabbie pots or 3 drop nets; or
  • 10 hoop nets; or
  • 3 drop nets, 1 hand net and 1 shrimp trap.


You cannot use a combination of yabbie pots and drop nets at the same time.

Marking of devices

All permitted devices (other than those designed to be held in the hand, for example rod and line or handlines) which are left unattended must be marked with a tag and, in some cases, a buoy.

Tags

All registered devices must be marked with a tag showing the registered owner’s name and registration number.

Devices designed to be held in the hand, or drop nets and yabbie pots set from the shore do not need a tag if the person responsible is in attendance. This means that the person responsible for the device is no more than 50 metres away from any part of it at all times.

If a permitted device is left unattended at any time it must be marked with a tag showing the name and address of the owner of the device.

Tags must:
  • show the name and address of the owner of the device
  • be made of a material that is durable in water
  • be 10 cm x 5 cm in size.


A buoy with a name and address correctly inscribed is considered to be a tag.


Buoys

Many devices must be marked with buoys.
Buoys must:
  • be durable
  • have a volume not less than two litres (15 to 20 cm diameter) when used in the waters of the River Murray
  • be of the correct colour for a particular permitted device and particular water.


Device specifications

Check that any device you already have, or that you intend buying or constructing, conforms to legal specifications. Devices that do not conform might be seized and subsequently forfeited.

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).
 
Drop net
Hand net
Hoop net
Shrimp trap
Yabbie pot


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
Marking required: 1 white buoy, 2 litres in volume

1 tag with name and address of owner if unattended


A Drop Net




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)


A Hand Net



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: Up to 10 hoop nets if no other device is being used

Up to 3 hoop nets if other fishing gear
Marking: 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.
   

A Hoop Net




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


A Shrimp Trap



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.

If used within a commercial fishing reach yabbie pots must be set from shore.


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

A Yabbie Pot

 

 

Illegal devices


  • The use of any device other than rod and handline, hand net, hoop net, drop net, yabbie pot or shrimp net is prohibited when fishing from the River Murray.
  • In addition, any of the above devices that do not conform to the legal dimensions and requirements are considered to be illegal.
  • The use of gill nets, drum nets, fish traps or set lines or springers is strictly prohibited.

If you see any illegal fishing in the River Murray report it to FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522 (freecall, 24 hour service).