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Government of Western Australia - Department of Fisheries

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Bag and size limits

Sticking to bag, boat and size limits is one of the ways you can help ensure our precious fish stocks remain sustainable. 

Finfish categories

 
For bag, boat and size limits, finfish are categorised according to their habitat and biology (see diagram below).
 
 
 
Demersal finfish* generally live on or near the ocean floor usually at depths of more than 20 metres.
 
Large pelagic finfish are those that usually inhabit the surface or middle depths of the ocean.
 
Nearshore and estuarine finfish typically live in the estuary reaches of rivers and/or in the ocean usually in depths of water up to 20 metres.

Freshwater species can be found in the mid to upper non-saline reaches of rivers and are in freshwater lakes and dams. These species are part of a managed fishery and you will need a freshwater angling licence.

Bag and size limits by species

 
Bag and size limits can be found in our Recreational fishing guide or accessed through the online recreational fishing rules website - rules.fish.wa.gov.au​ where you can search for recreational fishing rules by species and location.

* For demersal finfish, separate bag, boat and size limits apply in the West Coast Bioregion. (North of Kalbarri to east of Augusta.) 

Find out more about the recovery plan on the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource​ homepage.

Last modified: 14/11/2022 3:45 PM

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The information and advice provided by the Department of Fisheries website is made in good faith and is from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of release onto the website. Changes in circumstances after a document is placed on the website may affect the accuracy of the information. Full disclaimer details are available at www.fish.wa.gov.au.