June 13 start for annual trout and salmon closed season

by Alan Everett on 16 May 2011 Midnight on Monday June 13 will mark the beginning of the Victorian annual closed season for trout and salmon fishing in Victoria. The season will run until September 2.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst, said during this period anglers were not permitted to take or possess trout or salmon in rivers and streams throughout Victoria, with the exception of waters classed as ‘sea-run trout rivers’. (table below).

Sea-run trout rivers are those coastal streams which run into the ocean and provide the opportunity for trout to move between the freshwater and oceans.

'In addition, all hook and line fishing is prohibited in the tailrace sections of the Goulburn, Mitta Mitta, Tanjil and Kiewa rivers regardless of the species being targeted,' Mr Hurst said. 'Anglers who target fish in these waters risk prosecution and significant fines.'

'There will still be plenty of good fishing options for trout in Victoria in the many lakes and impoundments which are stocked with rainbow and brown trout that are grown at the DPI Snobs Creek hatchery near Eildon.'

During the cooler months of June through to September trout and salmon make their way upstream to spawn in the shallow gravel beds of our streams and rivers.

The recent rainfall in Victoria has seen many popular trout rivers and streams that were severely impacted by drought once again return to healthy flows, able to support strong populations of trout again.

'The coming 2011 spawning season is vital for the recovery of wild populations of trout species which will deliver excellent fishing opportunities and the associated economic benefits to local communities over the next few years,' Mr Hurst said.

If you suspect illegal fishing activity, call the fisheries offence reporting line on 13-FISH (13 3474). For all other information regarding fishing throughout Victoria call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136186 or visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing. Those waters classed as ‘sea-run trout rivers’ are:

AireRiver	Downstream-GreatOceanRoad Bridge
AvonRiver	Downstream- StratfordRailway Bridge
FordRiver	Downstream-GreatOceanRoad Bridge
Gellibrandriver	Downstream-GreatOceanRoad Bridge
HopkinsRiver	Downstream-HopkinsFalls
MerriRiver	Downstream- BromfieldWeir
MitchellRiver	Downstream- PrincessHwyBridge
MoyneRiver	Downstream-ToolongBridge
TamboRiver	Downstream- BruthenRdBridge