Recreational fishing in the ACT

You don’t need a licence for recreational fishing in the public waters of the ACT. However, you must follow the rules in the Fisheries Act 2000, which aims to sustainably manage our fish populations.

Where you can and can't fish in the ACT

The public waters of the ACT are divided into prohibited waters, open waters and trout waters. The map outlines the areas where recreation fishing is allowed.

ACT prohibited waters

Fishing in the following waters is not allowed at any time:

1. Cotter River upstream of new Cotter Dam wall, to the junction of Condor Creek, including the Cotter reservoir.
2. Cotter River and catchment upstream of Bendora Dam wall, including Bendora and Corin Reservoirs.
3. Murrumbidgee River downstream of Angle Crossing to the junction with the Gudgenby River.
4. Tidbinbilla River and catchment within the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
5. Kellys Swamp and Jerrabomberra Swamp within the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve. This includes areas where fishing is prohibited as described in the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve Plan of Management 2010.

All waters within Canberra Nature Park nature reserves where fishing is prohibited, as described in the Canberra Nature Park Reserve Management Plan 2021.

Small areas on some waterways may not be available for fishing for land management purposes. For example, dam wall exclusions and parts of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

Open waters

Fishing in open waters is allowed all year around. Open waters include all public waters in the ACT that are not prohibited, or trout waters. This includes:

• the Murrumbidgee River downstream from the junction with the Gudgenby River, and upstream from the concrete crossing at Angle Crossing to the ACT border
• the Molonglo River downstream of its junction with the Queanbeyan River
• urban lakes and ponds.

At open waters, you can use either 2 attended fishing rods, 2 attended hand lines, or one of each with no more than 2 hooks per line. You can also use a landing net. An attended fishing rod needs the angler to be within 10 m of their fishing gear and/or can always see their gear.

You can use artificial lures, flies, and live or natural bait. Fin fish, fish eggs and frogs must not be used.

Trout waters

Trout fishing waters include the:

• Gudgenby River and its catchment and tributaries
• Naas River and its catchment and tributaries
• Paddys River and its catchment and tributaries
• Condor Creek and its catchment and tributaries
• Cotter River and its catchment and tributaries downstream of Bendora Dam to the junction with Condor Creek
• Molonglo River above junction with the Queanbeyan River to the ACT border
• Orroral River and its tributaries.

Open season for trout waters is from the start of the October Labour Day long weekend to the end of the June King's Birthday weekend.

You may only use one attended fishing rod, with no more than 2 hooks per line, supplemented by a landing net.

Only artificial fly and lure fishing is allowed in trout waters during open season.

Googong Reservoir

Fishing in Googong Reservoir is governed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), Fisheries Management Act 1994 (NSW) and associated regulations.

To fish in NSW waters, you'll need a NSW recreational fishing licence. You can get this licence from most tackle shops, Service NSW or by calling 1300 369 365.

Protected species

There are 7 protected fish species in the ACT. It's illegal to target or catch these species. Their protected status helps conserve the species so their populations may recover. These species include:

• Trout Cod
• Two-spined Blackfish
• Macquarie Perch
• Silver Perch
• Murray River Crayfish
• Alpine Spiny Crayfish
• Riek's Crayfish.

If you catch a protected fish, you must release it with as little injury as possible and report the capture to Access Canberra. This will help to monitor the status of these threatened species.

Please note the differences between the Trout Cod, a protected species (therefore not allowed to be taken), and the Murray Cod, which can be taken during its open season.

Trout Cod (Gudu): protected species

Straight head profile, with lower upper jaw overhangs. Dark spots and irregular dashes or bars with few markings on the head. Generally blue/grey on dorsal (upper) becoming paler, almost white on ventral surface.

Murray Cod (Mangi): closed season September to November

Concave head profile, jaws equal or bottom jaw protrudes. Green mottled pattern on the body and head. Can be finely speckled in larger fish. Generally green/olive/yellow/golden on dorsal (upper), becoming paler more creamy/white on ventral (lower). Larger fish can have a blue-green sheen.

Recreational and pest species

You may fish for the following species only during the seasons shown below. Bag and size limits help to sustainably manage recreational fish populations for the future.

Carp and redfin

Carp and redfin are pests. They can be taken with natural baits such as corn, bread or garden worms, shrimp or yabbies (only in open waters) or artificial lures. You can keep them or return them to the water where they were caught.

If you kill the fish, do this humanely and dispose of them appropriately, and not beside the water’s edge.

Yabbies

Fishing for yabbies in the ACT is allowed. However, it’s illegal to use enclosed traps such as opera house, shrimp, minnow, and yabby traps. Opera house nets are prohibited in all waters in the ACT, public and private.

You may use up to 10 baited lines (no hooks) and 5 hoop nets, or 5 open-top pyramid nets. You can't use these in the nature reserves in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor. This includes Woodstock, Stoney Creek, Swamp Creek, Bullen Range and Gigerline nature reserves, and where hoop nets or pyramid nets are prohibited.

Your unenclosed hoop nets must have a drop of 1 m or less and be attached to no more than 2 hoop rings or frames. The diameter must be no more than 1.25 m with a mesh size of no smaller than 13 mm. The pyramid nets must not exceed 60 cm long or 60 cm wide. It must have a mesh no more than 15 mm and a top opening of no less than 20 cm by 20 cm without any internal device.

Baited lines and all nets except a landing net are prohibited in trout waters.

Fishing in the ACT

When fishing in ACT waters, it’s important to follow the laws and ethical fishing practices.

This means you should:

• refer to images [PDF 2.3 MB] to help you identify fish species that you can and can't keep
• return all protected species to the water immediately
• return any undersized, unwanted or protected fish to the water alive
• wet your hands or use a wet cloth before handling fish to improve their survival rate
• treat fish humanely when releasing them by doing it quickly and keeping them in the water as much as possible
• try reviving a tired or semi-conscious fish by moving it gently forward to wash water through its gills until it can swim normally
• support the middle of the fish's body, head, and tail when landing fish
• cut the line if you are unable to remove a hook quickly
• change your methods or locations if you're catching numerous undersized or protected fish
• humanely kill any fish you are keeping
• prevent pollution and protect wildlife - take all litter, dead fish, discarded line, and glass home to dispose of
• remember fires are only permitted in designated fireplaces
• respect the rights of other people fishing
• report any illegal fishing activity to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

When you’re fishing in ACT waters, don't:

• use fish eggs, live fin fish, frogs or tadpoles as bait
• take more fish than you need
• use gaffs, spears, spear guns, bows and arrows, poisons, explosives or firearms to catch fish
• move fish from one water body to another or stock fish without a permit
• remove the heads or fillet fish while next to a lake, river or stream
• sell the fish you caught if you're a recreational angler
• release fish or plants from a home aquarium into any waterways as they may become pests or introduce diseases
• use power boats, including electric boats in Canberra's urban lakes without a permit
• use green prawns as bait because white spot disease may impact local crayfish – learn more out about pest and disease outbreaks
• always attend your gear to retrieve fish as soon as they are caught
• contact Access Canberra to apply for a permit.

Penalties of up to $5000 apply for if you do not abide by the Fisheries Act.

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