Forster-Tuncurry, Wallis Lake

[Scott nthQld]

My brother and his girlfriend are heading down that way in Feb for a holiday. It was our annual holiday destination when we were kids and used to live in Shellharbour NSW.

Anyway, he's teed up the rec fishing permit for the month so that's all good, but he has a couple of questions regarding the regs. We used to know them by heart, but it being 9 years living in Qld, all the Qld regs has pushed all the info out.

First, Hw many rods and hooks are allowed on the rec permit? We used to fish with a couple of rods each, plus a livey out, also used to use a couple of hooks on a rig for gar and mullet when we targetted them.

Also, is spearfishing, using a handspear, still permitted within the lake? I used to do it when I was a kid all the time, but 9 years can change a lot as we all know, hell 2 years can change a lot.

[darylive]

I just came back from 4 days fishing lake Maqurie it was great. The NSW fisheries web site should have the detail you want.

[Scott nthQld]

yeah we looked at that, but simplistic descriptions is clearly not the strong point of NSW DPI, or any DPI for that matter. it just crapped on about heading SOUTH to get to the NORTHERN foreshore, and oyster lease numbes etc. Bunch of bullshit, but what else can you expect from a Govt department. i was hoping someone here might know and be able to give us some realistic descriptions.

He has even emailed the local office for Wallis lake and their answer was the same link, we asked for a map, or a simple description but they couldn't give any.....uselss bunch of tools if I've ever known one, how they hell are they supposed to enforce it if they don't know the rules themselves, and how CAN they try to enforce it if they can't tell the public what all the ambiguity and bullshit translates to, I mean if they can't do it, who the hell can.

[darylive]

Fortunately I was with a local. Another option might be to log onto Tackle World web site and send an E-mail to Tackle World Newcastle for a short version?

[Scott nthQld]

It should be OK, my brother heard from the local authorities today, they say they have a map of what you can do and where, he asked them to scan and email it to them, but apparently they don't have a scanner?? Well done NSW Govt, can't even supply basic office equipment to your own offices.

Given limited room in the car, he doen't really want to cart the gear all the way down only to be told he can't do it.

[Lantana]

Gday Scott,

You also could ring some locals:-
Barclay Marine 0265 545866
Boatland Marine 0265 546399
Boatshed No 1 0265547733

Cant help with rod numbers etc, and spearfishing not at all. Not my go. Have seen some big Rays in the Lake though, but if you have been here you may well know of these.
Please don't criticise our State Govt. Don't you know NSW stands for Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. Anything outside of these areas is considered "interstate" and not worth the trouble. The problem we have down here is the other mob don't look anything better!!!
It has actually reminded me that there is an Inquriy into the Rec Fishing Industry in NSW and submissions are due early March. I must put something in, and so should everyone else. Need to make sure our point of view is heard, or the minorities (e.g. Greens), will get their agenda up. This could have major problems for those of us who simply want to wet a line and relax. They promise otherwise, but their agendas are well known.

[Scott nthQld]

Gday Scott,

You also could ring some locals:-
Barclay Marine 0265 545866
Boatland Marine 0265 546399
Boatshed No 1 0265547733

Cant help with rod numbers etc, and spearfishing not at all. Not my go. Have seen some big Rays in the Lake though, but if you have been here you may well know of these.
Please don't criticise our State Govt. Don't you know NSW stands for Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. Anything outside of these areas is considered "interstate" and not worth the trouble. The problem we have down here is the other mob don't look anything better!!!
It has actually reminded me that there is an Inquriy into the Rec Fishing Industry in NSW and submissions are due early March. I must put something in, and so should everyone else. Need to make sure our point of view is heard, or the minorities (e.g. Greens), will get their agenda up. This could have major problems for those of us who simply want to wet a line and relax. They promise otherwise, but their agendas are well known.

Thanks Lantana,

Oh and BTW, I know exactly what the NSW state Govt is all about, only I was one of the few that were included in the acronym (wollongong, well sort of, just south actually), and now I'm on the other side of the fence, I'm one of the many missing out because of 'my' current State govt, you know, the one that manages Qld for Brisbane

[Oldsalt]

Scott from one old Shellharbourite to another

Line Fishing

• No more than 4 rods or lines to be used or set by any one person at any one time.
• No more than 3 hooks or 3 gangs of hooks attached per line (a gang of hooks should have no more than 5 hooks).
• One line may have 6 single hooks with lure attached to be used by the method of hand jigging only.
• No more than 3 treble hooks attached to a lure.
• Jagging is illegal (hooking, or attempting to hook, fish other than through the mouth).
• Drift lines are banned.

Collecting invertebrates (including crabs, worms, squid, cockles etc)

All invertebrates are subject to bag limits and some are also subject to size limits.

• All lobsters and crabs carrying eggs must be returned immediately to the water. Check all females as the eggs are plainly visible under the tail. It is an offence to remove any eggs.
• Invertebrates may not be shucked (removed from their shells) at the waterside unless they are to be used immediately as bait.
• Collecting invertebrates is prohibited within Intertidal Protected Areas such as Sydney Harbour and some zones within Aquatic Reserves (www.environment.nsw.gov.au) and NSW Marine Parks (www.mpa.nsw.gov.au).
• Octopus cannot be taken from ocean rock platforms in NSW or from rock platforms in Sydney Harbour.
• Removal of oysters from an oyster lease is theft and attracts heavy fines.

Methods of collection

Collecting methods that may damage the environment are not permitted. You may not dig or use a yabby pump in seagrasses, mangroves or salt marshes.
Hand

Hand picking may be used to take fish, gloves are permitted.
Knife

A single blade knife with a blade longer than it is wide may be used to help gather invertebrates.
Pliers

Pliers may be used to help gather invertebrates except on rock platforms.
Hand (Nipper) pump

Hand (nipper pumps are commonly used to collect saltwater pink nippers.
Barrel diameter not to exceed 85mm
Landing net

May only be used as an ancillary aid for retrieval of fish caught when line fishing.
Diving and Spearfishing

• You cannot use a spear/ spear gun to take blue, brown or red groper.
• You cannot take fish with a spear/ spear gun whilst using a light.
• Spearfishing on ocean beaches (except the last 20 metres at each end of the beach) is not permitted.
• Many entrances, coastal lagoons and other tidal waters are closed to spearfishing as are some areas within Aquatic Reserves and Marine Parks.
• Lobsters can only be taken when snorkelling – no SCUBA or hookah allowed. No hook or other implement is allowed.
• The only species which can be taken when SCUBA diving or using hookah apparatus are scallops and sea urchins.
• All invertebrates including abalone, turban snail, sea urchin and rock lobster must not be removed from their shells or processed in any way in, on, or adjacent to any waters.
• Abalone are susceptible to a parasite called Perkinsus. Whilst not harmful to humans, some areas may be closed to protect stocks.

For any further information about fishing rules or closures contact your local NSW DPI Fisheries office.



Cheers Tom