Bait Fisheries

Victoria has six bait fishery licence classes that allow licence holders to use a range of equipment types to collect bait for sale and provide Victorians with fresh bait. Common species caught with these licences includes sand worm, prawn, yabby, shrimp, mussels, crab and some small bodied fish. Licence classes are restricted to one specific body of water, with the exception of the Bait (General) Fishery, where fishing radius is determined by the licence holder’s base of operations, target species and proximity to other licence holders.

Gippsland Lakes (Bait) Fishery Access Licences

The Gippsland Lakes Bait Fishery has nine active licences and is a multi-species and multi gear fishery. Licence holders are permitted to use a wide range of gear such as (but not limited to) bait pumps, crab pots, dip nets and small seine nets and supply sand worm, prawn, shrimp and crab to the recreational sector. Catch is managed via limitations on the size and quantity of permitted fishing gear and licence holders are required to report their catch via catch and effort logbooks.

Bait (General) Fishery Access Licences

The Bait (General) Fishery has seven active licences. The fishery is not limited geographically in Victoria, however licence holders have their own geographical limitations in that each licence is permitted to operate in a certain radius around their base of operation location - below is a map of the reporting codes for all bait licence catch and effort reporting in Victoria. Commonly used gear includes bait pumps, dip nets, hauling nets, hoop nets and bait traps. Bait (General) Licences supply Victoria with a range of bait species such as yabby, bass yabbies, mussels and shrimp.  Licence holders must report their catch via catch and effort logbooks.

Snowy River (Bait) Fishery Access Licences

The Snowy River Bait Fishery has two active licences. The fishery uses two gear types: bait pumps and dip nets. The main species caught in this system are sand worms and prawns, which are for the recreational fishing sector. Licence holders must report their catch via catch and effort logbooks.

Lake Tyers (Bait) Fishery Access Licences

There are currently no active licences in Lake Tyers. It has historically been a multi-species fishery and licences allow the use of bait pumps, dip nets and small seine nets. Licence holders must report their catch via catch and effort logbooks.

Mallacoota Lower Lake (Bait) Fishery Access Licence

The Mallacoota Bait Fishery has one active licence. The fishery uses two gear types: bait pump and dip nets. Fishing effort in this system is very low, with species such as blood cockle being popular. Licence holders must report their catch via catch and effort logbooks.

Sydenham Inlet (Bait) Fishery Access Licence

Sydenham Inlet Bait Fishery has two active licences. This fishery uses two gear types: bait pump and dip nets. The main species caught in this system is prawn for the recreational fishing sector. Licence holders must report their catch via catch and effort logbooks.