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Catch Limits
Bag limit means that you can only keep up to a specific number of fish over a particular size in length. The general rule is a bag limit of 12 fish and a minimum size limit of 220 mm in length. You must check the Tasmanian Inland Fishing Code or the Regulations Chart for exceptions to this rule. If a water is not listed in either, then the general rule applies.
Bag and size limits
Bag and size limits relate to the number of fish kept and the size of fish in length and apply to the individual water. If an angler is fishing one water but is in possession of fish caught at another water fished earlier that day, then all fish are deemed to have been taken from the second water.
Other than for waters in the Western Lakes area or those specified in the Special waters regulations chart, the daily bag limit for salmonid species and blackfish is 12 fish and the minimum fish length is 220 mm. The daily bag and size limit for bream is 10 fish and 250 mm in length, and for eels it is 12 fish and 300 mm, while a zero bag limit applies for estuary perch.
You must check the Tasmanian Inland Fishing Code 2010-11 or the Regulations List for exceptions to this rule. If a water is not listed in either, then the general rule applies.
For instance, all rivers have a bag limit of 12, except for the Macquarie River and rivers within the Western Lakes, which have a bag limit of 5. You may only keep 5 fish per day collectively from the Western Lakes, with two fish over 500 mm.
General minimum size limits
| Fish Species | Length |
| Atlantic salmon | 220 mm |
| Bream | 250 mm |
| Brook trout | 220 mm |
| Brown trout | 220 mm* |
| Rainbow trout | 220 mm* |
| Estuary perch | catch and release only |
| River blackfish | 220 mm |
| Eels | 300 mm |
*Except in some Western Lakes (Nineteen Lagoons area), Great Lake, Penstock Lagoon, Brushy Lagoon, Bradys Lake, Tunagtinah Lagoon, Lake Binney, Lake Barrington, Meadowbank Lake, Pet Dam, Guide Dam, Curries River Dam, Four Springs and Craigbourne Dam.
Measuring fish
You are required to measure the size of fish when they are first taken. Fin fish, other than bream, should be measured from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail. Bream are measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail.
Tagged or marked fish
It is illegal to mark fish in any way unless you have permission from the Service. The Service releases tagged trout periodically for research purposes. Tagged trout are a valuable source of information about the fishery. If you catch a tagged trout please contact the Service and note the following:
- The number and colour of the tag.
- The length of the fish, and if possible, the weight and sex.
- Measure the 'fork' length of the fish to the nearest millimetre (see diagram on measuring fish).
- How, when and where you caught the fish.
- If you kept or released the fish. There is no requirement to release tagged fish.
Fishing from a boat
The Service is responsible for making rules about fishing from a boat. Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) registers and controls the use of boats on inland waters. Queries about speeds and other boating regulations should be referred to MAST on (03) 6233 8801.
