To read in brief the practical guide to rules and regulations of the current angling season look at and/or download the Tasmanian Inland fishing code.

Inland waters include all waters on the inland side of the Seaward Limit, which is the boundary between marine and inland waters. The seaward limits are generally marked by a physical structure like a bridge, road or white posts.

The regulations relate to individual waters and cover the open season dates, fishing method (bait, lure or fly fishing), and catch limits (fish bag and size). The general rules that apply to most inland waters are:

A small number of waters have restricted access for anglers with a disability or junior anglers, and some waters are closed at all times or closed for specific periods. A comprehensive list of inland waters and the regulations that apply to each is available on the Inland Waters Database.

Only a private fishery registered by the Service can charge a fee to fish and set rules for the fishery. Private owners, local councils or management authorities control access to some Tasmanian waters. You should check with the owner of private property before entering their land.

A separate Whitebait Licence is required for whitebait fishing and specific regulations govern the recreational Whitebait Fishery, which operates from 1 October to 11 November each year.

Rod and Line

You can use any number of lines with up to five hooks, so long as you are within 20 metres of the gear, or the lines are attached to the boat from which you are fishing.

Electric Reels

Electric reels can be used with no more than 5 hooks.  You must remain within 20 metres of your gear.

Auxiliary Fishing Gear

Auxiliary fishing gear such as kites and balloons can be used to deploy or retrieve not more than 200 metres of fishing line with 5 hooks or less.  This gear is not permitted in rivers or shark refuge areas.  To reduce the risk of interactions with other water users or losing gear near them, you can not use auxiliary gear within 100 metres of swimmers or any vessel or within 400 metres of a boat ramp, jetty or mooring.

Auxiliary fishing gear can be used on a boat.  If using auxiliary fishing gear from land you must remain within 20 metres of the gear and not use it more than 20 metres from the high water mark.  Auxiliary gear does not include electric reels, capstans or haulers used for set lines.

Set Lines

A set line is an unattended line, either a dropline (see larger dropline image) or a longline (see larger longline image), with up to 15 hooks. A licence is required to use this gear and area restrictions apply. The licence holder must be present when the line is set and retrieved.

A dropline is set vertically with one end weighted and a marker buoy attached to the other. When droplines are joined together, each fisher must have a separate marker buoy attached.

A

 longline is set horizontally, weighted at both ends and with a buoy attached at each end. When longlines are joined together, each fisher must have a separate marker buoy on each end of the line.

Set lines cannot be used in some restricted areas including:

A squid jig is a baited or artificial lure with one or more sets of pointed hooks or spikes used to take squid.  You can use up to three squid jigs per line.

You can use gaffs to take scalefish, other than bream and boarfish, but not rock lobster or abalone.

Spear Guns and Hand Spears

Hand spears and spear guns can be used to take any scalefish except bream and boarfish. Taking rock lobster or abalone with this gear is prohibited. Spears cannot be used in the Mersey, Leven or Inglis rivers, other than to spear flounder.

 

 

Rock Lobster Fishing Gear

See Rock Lobster Gear and How to Mark it.

Bait Traps

One bait trap per person can be used. The trap must comply with the following dimensions:

Unattended bait traps must have a buoy or tag attached marked with "BT" and the user's surname, initials, year of birth and postcode.

Bait Pumps

A hand-operated bait pump with a barrel of less than 85 mm may be used.

Landing Net

A landing net is a hand-held net attached to a frame no larger than 600 mm across. The mesh can be any size and a landing net may be used to catch bait.

Dip Net

A dip net (see larger dip net image) is a hand held net attached to a frame no larger than 1 metre across with a mesh greater than 20 mm.

Hauling and Cast Nets

Bait net

You can used one bait net. A bait net is an encircling net:

Beach Seine Net

A beach seine net licence allows you to possess and use one beach seine net (see larger image).

A beach seine net must: 

You can use one cast net (see larger cast net image). The net must be:

Gillnets

Graball nets and mullet nets, including flounder nets, are types of gillnets (see larger gillnet image). A graball net licence or mullet net licence allows you to possess and use only one graball net or one mullet net in state waters.  Area Restrictionsapply.

All gillnets must be weighted in one of the following ways in order to prevent drift:

Macquarie Harbour

Gillnet Buoys

Gillnets, including mullet, graball and flounder nets (a type of graball net) must be marked with two white buoys, one at each end of the net, that:

Both the buoys must have the licence number clearly marked in figures not less than 70 mm high and 12 mm wide. Additional buoys may be used for visibility.

Mullet Net

One mullet net may be used and a licence is required. A mullet net:

Learn more about using a Recreational Mullet Net.

Graball Net

One graball net may be used and a licence is required. Flounder nets are a type of graball net. A graball net:

Weight Specifications and Measuring Net Mesh

Weight Specifications

All gillnets must be weighted in one of the following ways in order to prevent drift:

How to Measure Net Mesh

 

 

Lost, Stolen and Irretrievable Gear

If you leave your net in the water for longer than allowed due to bad weather conditions, illness or theft, contact the Marine Police on 0427 655 557 or your nearest Police Station and provide them with your licence number.