Bait yabby permit trial
Live freshwater yabbies are prime bait for targeting native species such as Murray cod and golden perch.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) is undertaking a two-year trial to improve the supply of bait freshwater yabbies for recreational fishing.
Commencing from 1 September 2026, the two-year permit trial will allow permit holders to collect and supply freshwater yabbies to bait and tackle stores and recreational fishers throughout Victoria.
Permit holders will be authorised to collect live freshwater yabbies (Cherax destructor) to fulfill the demand for bait freshwater yabbies from recreational anglers. Under the trial anyone can apply for a permit, including people under the age of 18.
Permit holders will be able to sell freshwater yabbies to tackle shops or directly to fishers, providing they are live and clearly labelled as bait and not for human consumption.
Background
The VFA has received consistent feedback from recreational fishers and tackle store owners that the current supply of bait yabbies is unable to keep up with the demand for this highly valued bait for Murray cod and yellowbelly (Golden perch). This trial will test an innovative means of bridging this gap in supply.
How will the trial work?
People wishing to participate in the trial will need to apply for a permit via the VFA’s online Licensing and Quota Management System (LQMS) Fisher Portal from 1 September 2026.
Permit holders will be authorised to collect up to 250 yabbies a day, with a maximum possession limit of 500. Permit holders can transport live yabbies directly to the point of sale (e.g. to bait and tackle shops) or to hold up to 500 yabbies at their normal place of residence, until they can be sold. All sales must be accompanied by a sales receipt for each transaction.
A summary of the management arrangements for this permit-based fishery can be found here: Your Permit Requirements_Bait Yabby Trial
Specific waters, and limits on the type and amount of equipment that the permit holder is authorised to operate will be defined on each permit, ensuring the sustainability of freshwater yabby stocks in waterways across the state.
Each permit will be issued for a period of 12 months only. Applicants under the age of 18 will be provided with a permit free of charge. Applicants wishing to participate in the second year of the trial will be required to re-apply for a permit at the conclusion of their initial permit.
The two-year trial will conclude on 1 September 2028 and an evaluation will be carried out on the effectiveness of the initiative.
Caring for your yabbies
Before you apply for a permit, it is important to ensure that you can accurately identify your catch and have the correct facilities to look after your yabbies before sale and during transportation. Check out these guides to identifying and looking after yabbies:
FAQs
If you have a question about the trial, the following FAQ’s may help, or otherwise contact andrew.briggs@vfa.vic.gov.au.
For licensing enquiries, or for assistance with the LQMS portal, please contact the VFA Commercial Licensing team during business hours on 1800 620 896 (select Option 2).
Why is the trial being undertaken?
Yabbies are a popular bait for recreational fishers in Victoria. However, the current supply of bait yabbies is no longer fulfilling the demand from recreational fishers.
To address this, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has commenced a two-year trial of a permit-based fishery to increase the supply of live bait yabbies (Cherax destructor) for recreational fishing.
The trial will help create small businesses to cater for this demand, especially in the peak season from September to December each year.
When does the trial start?
The trial will commence on 1 September 2026 and will conclude on 1 September 2028.
The VFA will evaluate the trial when it concludes in September 2028, to determine whether the trial should continue, be subject to change or cease.
How much will a permit cost?
Each permit will cost $171.46 per annum (in 2025/26).
Applicants under the age of 18 will be provided with a permit free of charge.
How do I apply for a permit?
Anyone wanting to participate in the trial can apply and pay for a permit via the Victorian Fisheries Authorities a new Licensing and Quota Management System (LQMS) from 1 September. The LQMS Fisher Portal will be accessible via computer and mobile devices via this link.
For applicants under the age of 18, where no fee is required, applicants are encouraged to create an account on the LQMS Fisher Portal, and then contact the VFA Commercial Licensing team during business hours on 1800 620 896 (select Option 2) to finalise their application.
How many yabbies will I be allowed to catch under the trial?
Permit holder will be permitted to catch up to 250 whole yabbies per day and be in possession of up to 500 whole yabbies at the home or location listed on their permit.
Permit holder must not sell or possess female yabbies with with eggs (in berry) or with young attached. Females in berry or carrying young must be returned to the water immediately and without further harm.
What gear will I be allowed to use?
Permit holders will be permitted to use up to 10 baited lines (no hooks) and up to 5 labelled hoop nets in the streams, tributaries and impoundments of the following waters:
- Carrol’s Creek
- Ryan’s Creek
- Wodonga Creek
- The Ovens River System
- The Tarra River System
- The Latrobe River System
- The Kiewa River System
- The Mitta Mitta River System (excluding Lake Dartmouth)
- The Glenelg River System (excluding Rocklands Reservoir)
- The Goulburn River System (excluding Lake Eildon)
- Waranga Basin
Up to 10 recreational hoop nets or open top lift nets or combination thereof in all other inland waters, including Lake Eildon, Rocklands Reservoir, Lake Dartmouth and private waters such as farm dams.
Hoop nets and open top lift nets must be attached to a tag that remains above the water’s surface with the permit holder’s full name and permit number clearly and legibly written.
All gear set under the permit must be lifted and cleared once every 12 hours.
Who can I sell yabbies to?
Yabbies will be able to be sold to tackle shops or directly to fishers under the trial, providing they are live and clearly labelled as bait, and not for human consumption.
Sales must be accompanied by a sales receipt for each transaction.
Will I be able to sell yabbies for human consumption?
No, yabbies will only be able to be sold as bait.
Where will be allowed to fish?
Permits under the trial will be issued to public and/or private waters nominated by each applicant. The areas where fishing will be permitted will then be defined on each permit.
However, the VFA reserves the right to refuse licence applications where multiple applications occur for the same waters and where multiple permits may unduly impact on public amenity, the sustainability of the resource or the interests of existing licence holders.
All permit holders will be required to obtain landholder permission to enter and fish in any private waters.
Do I need an ABN to participate in the trial?
Not all businesses need an ABN (for example, businesses with an annual income of less than $75,000 are not required to have an ABN) and the decision to register for an ABN will need to be made on an individual case-by-case basis by each permit holder or applicant.
The VFA encourages permit applicants to obtain an ABN as other businesses that deal with the permit holder or applicant must withhold tax from any payments made to any person without an ABN (potentially reducing that person’s overall profitability). However, this is not a mandatory requirement.
Will I be required to report catches?
Given that the trial is expected to result in a small scale fishery with modest levels of take, catch reporting will not be a requirement under the trial.
What will happen at the conclusion of the trial?
The VFA will evaluate the trial when it concludes in September 2028, to determine whether the fishery should continue, be subject to change or cease. Should the evaluation consider that a new fishery be established, the best mechanism for authorising access will be considered at that time.