Freshwater fishers await trout season opening

Freshwater anglers are expected to be out in force in the State’s South West from next Saturday,
when the annual trout season opens.

The 2007/08 trout season begins on 1 September and will continue until 30 April 2008.
Department of Fisheries Principal Management Officer, Nathan Harrison said more than 3,900
people had specific freshwater angling licences and a further 16,400 fishers had umbrella
licences that also entitled them to fish for trout and other freshwater species.
“The big interest in freshwater fishing needs to be managed well, so the Department runs an
important restocking program to ensure we don’t lose the opportunity for recreational anglers to
enjoy the experience,” Mr Harrison said.

“Every year, new stocks of brown and rainbow trout are released into South West rivers and
dams, but only into those waterways that have a long history of being stocked.”
“Department of Fisheries research, which backs up the stocking program, helps to keep the
freshwater fishery sustainable and is attracting international interest for breeding trout that have
not only been able to survive, but also thrive in warmer water temperatures.”
Mr Harrison said various rules applied to freshwater fishing and there were also some fishing
laws specific to popular locations that were needed to help provide a better quality recreational
fishing experience for everybody.

“By observing the rules freshwater anglers can play a part in caring for the environment, sharing
the fish stocks and applying common sense to any activities in the forests around our picturesque
dams and waterways,” he said.

A recreational fishing licence is required to fish for all freshwater fish in waters south of
Greenough (29 o South latitude) and above the tidal influence including all lakes, dams, rivers
and their tributaries.

Licences are available over the counter from the Department of Fisheries and Australia Post
outlets or online at www.fish.wa.gov.au. Children under 16 do not require a licence for
freshwater species other than marron.

More details on freshwater angling in WA’s South West and the rules that apply are also
available on the Department of Fisheries website.