Trout season opens Friday (Sept 1)

29/8/00
Western Australia's trout season opens on Friday (September 1) and indications are that anglers can expect a good season.
Fisheries Minister Monty House said that since 1998 more than one million trout fry had been released into streams and dams which had been historically used for trout fishing.
A new initiative to further improve the quality of WA's trout fishery had been introduced for Waroona Dam (Lake Navarino) following the successful stocking of over 2000 large rainbow and brown trout from Fisheries WA's Pemberton Hatchery.
For Waroona Dam only, the following new management measures apply:

• A daily bag limit of 2 trout (brown and rainbow combine).

• A closed season May 1 - August 31 for all rod/line fishing.

• No bait fishing (artificial lure/fly only).

The new management measures have been introduced to protect newly stocked trout and help share the available catch which will improve the quality of the trout fishery over the spring period.
The trout season runs until April 30. However, a number of waterways are open throughout the year for trout including the Serpentine, Murray, Blackwood, Donnelly and Warren rivers.
In all waters other than Waroona Dam a daily bag limit of four trout (brown and Rainbow trout combined) and a minimum legal size of 300mm applies. Anglers wanting to fish for trout are reminded that a fresh water fishing licence is required, which can be obtained from Fisheries WA offices or Australia Post outlets.
More than 12,000 freshwater fishing licences are expected to be issued this year.
Mr House encouraged anglers to take care when fishing and to avoid damage to the local bush environment - and only keeping enough fish to eat fresh.
Anglers should also note that drinking water catchments and water supply dams under the management of the Water and Rivers Commission are not stocked with trout and are generally closed to fishing.
For more information on freshwater angling contact Fisheries WA head office on 9482 7333 or the following Fisheries WA offices:

Media contact: Julie Cole 9481 2044