Permits for fishing in Queensland dams
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries' Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) scheme requires anglers who fish in certain Queensland dams to purchase a permit before they throw in a line.
In order to enhance the local recreational fishery, money raised by the SIP scheme is used to purchase native fish fingerlings to stock 33 impoundments or dams throughout Queensland.
Impoundments are 'put, grow and take' fisheries where most stocked species will not reproduce. This means the impoundments need to be stocked regularly. The money anglers pay for their SIP goes towards management of the SIP scheme and to stocking groups for purchasing native fish fingerlings.
Do I need a permit?
Before you go fishing in many of Queensland's dams, 33 in fact, check to see if you need a permit. You only need one permit per couple (married or de facto), and those under 18 do not need one at all.
The permit allows you to fish with a hand-held or set fishing line - nothing else. You are not allowed to use a cast, gill or bait net.
A permit covers all 33 dams. They cost:
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$7 per week
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$35 per year
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$31.50 per year if you are entitled to the 10% discount.
You are entitled to the discount if you have any of these entitlement cards: Queensland Government Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card and Repatriation Health Care Card (Gold Card).
SIPs are sold:
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online via the Queensland Goverment Gateway. To use this option you will need a printer and a credit card
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by phoning Primary Industries and Fisheries (part of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation) on 13 25 23. You can only buy a permit over the phone if your fishing trip is not in the next five working days due to time needed to post your permit. To use this option you will need a credit card
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from small business outlets throughout Queensland.
Why are there restrictions on fishing gear?
Restrictions to fishing gear protect fish stocks from overfishing.
While fishing in fresh water a person must not possess or use at one time more than four canister traps, four collapsible traps, four dillies, four funnel traps or four round traps, or more than four of these traps in any combination.
No age limit applies to people using freshwater fishing gear. In freshwater areas, fish may only be caught using:
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a fishing line that consists of a hand-held line with or without a pole, reel or rod
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a trap that can be a canister trap, collapsible trap, dilly trap, funnel trap or round trap
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a scoop or dip net (cast nets and bait nets cannot be used)
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a set line.
Marking traps and set lines
Anyone who uses a trap or set line for freshwater fishing must have a tag on the trap or set line showing the owner´s surname and address. If the trap is not fixed to something stationary above the water level while being used, it must have a light coloured float attached.
The float must feature the owner´s first name and surname and be at least 15 cm in each of its dimensions. A two or three-litre milk container may be used as a float. A set line must be attached to a stationary object such as a branch, wooden stake or boat.
Fishing lines
A person must not set a fishing line as a cross-line or use more than six fishing lines or set lines alone or in combination. Only one hook or an artificial fly or lure can be attached to a fishing line. Anyone using a set line must be no more than 200 m from the line.
Freshwater fishing gear: Reels, scoop net and canister trap.
Scoop or dip nets
A scoop or dip net must not exceed 1 m in any dimension, with a handle no longer than 2.5 m and a mesh size of no more than 25 mm.
Canister traps
A canister trap must be no longer than 60 cm and no more than 50 cm in width, height or diameter. The trap must be open at one end. The width, height or diameter of the trap-measured anywhere along its length-must not be more than the width, height or diameter of the trap´s open end. If the trap does not have a mesh made of rigid material, the size of the mesh must be no more than 25 mm.
Collapsible traps
A collapsible trap must be made of rigid material with one or more collapsible sides.
Dilly nets
A dilly net must have a diameter of no more than 125 cm and a mesh size of no more than 25 mm.
Funnel traps
A funnel trap must be no longer than 70 cm or no more than 50 cm in width or height. It must have no more than four entrances, with each hole measuring no more than 10 cm in any dimension.
The trap entrance must be made of rigid material. If the trap does not have a mesh made of rigid material, the size of the mesh must be no more than 25 mm.
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Funnel (opera house) trap.
Round traps
In freshwater, round traps must be no longer than 70 cm in diameter or no more than 50 cm in height. Traps must have no more than four entrances; each hole must not have a diameter, height or width measuring more than 10 cm.
If the trap does not have a mesh made of rigid material, the size of the mesh must be no more than 25 mm.
Examples of prohibited fishing gear
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Floatlines
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All forms of nets except landing nets and scoop or dip nets
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Fish traps
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Drum nets
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Cross-lines
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Spears and spear guns
Enforcement of the Regulations
The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) enforces fisheries and boating safety laws through surveillance and inspection, as well as undertaking related education with industry and community groups.
With over 160,000 recreational and 13,000 commercial vessels in use, compliance with laws is necessary to ensure both the safe use of waterways and the sustainability of our fisheries resources.
If you would like further information on the recreational fishing rules (including bag and size limits) call the our Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
To report suspected illegal fishing activities in Queensland call the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116 or contact the Boating and Fisheries Patrol
|
Mooloolaba |
PO Box 199,
Mooloolaba
Qld 4557 |
(07) 5444 4599 |
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Noosa |
PO Box 20,
Tewantin Qld
4565 |
(07) 5449 7555 |
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Pinkenba Operations Base |
PO Box 10,
Pinkenba Qld
4008 MacArthur Avenue East, Pinkenba |
(07) 3860 3502 |
Information obtained and reprinted with the permission of:-
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries
For further information go to www.dpi.qld.gov.au