Fishing definitions

Catch limit

A general term used to describe any limits on catching or possessing fish. Bag and possession limits are types of catch limits.

Responsible fishers catch/collect their own fish.

Bag limit

The maximum number of a particular type of fish that a person may take on any one calendar day while in, on or next to Victorian waters and possess in, on or next to Victorian waters.

Once you have taken your bag limit, you must not catch more of that precies for other people to keep, or 'high grade' your catch (i.e. return smaller fish caught earlier to the water and keep the bigger fish)

Example 1 - bag limit

Tiffany can have more than the bag limit at her caravan (which is 10 bream) because she is not in, or or next to the water. When Tiffany is fishing from her boat, or at the boat ramp, or fishing from the shore (i.e. in, or or next to Victorian waters), Tiffany must not possess more than 10 bream. So the previous day's catch must stay at the caravan park.

Example 2 - bag limit for fishing trips spanning midnight

Trevor is a surf fisher and he is fishing overnight. Trevor can only possess 2 gummy or school shark on the beach, even though he caught them before midnight

Example 3 - bag limit for fishing or collecting in groups

A family is collecting spider crabs. A person can only catch up to 15 spider crabs on any one day. If you choose to give some away of these spider crabs to another person, they still count towards your bag limit. You cannot collect any more on that day.

Possession limit

Carcass

Carcass (scale fish)

The body of a fish that is not cut or mutilated in any manner other than to remove the gut, gills or scales.

Carcass (sharks including elephant fish)

The body of a shark or elephant fish that is not cut or mutilated in any manner other than to remove the gut and head forward and clear of the rear-most gill slit.

Carcass (skates, rays and guitar fish)

The body of a skate, ray or guitarfish that is not cut or mutilated in any other manner than to remove the gut.

Carcass (spiny freshwater crayfish)

The body of a crayfish that is not cut in any way other than to remove one or more legs or claws, or is not mutilated in any way other than the absence of one or more legs or claws.

Scale fish

Species of fish with fins other than sharks, skates and rays.

Seasons

A ‘closed season’ for a particular species is a period during which you must not take, attempt to take or possess that species. Species for which there is a closed season may be fished only during their open season. Fish caught accidentally during the closed season must be released immediately with as little harm as possible.

Lake and river boundaries:

For the purposes of regulations, the boundary between a lake and a river is the point at which the flowing water of the river meets the backed-up waters of the lake, regardless of the water level of the lake.

Size limits:

The smallest (minimum legal size) and the largest (maximum legal size) fish you can legally keep. Fish outside the legal size range must be returned to the water immediately and without harm. The legal size of fish must be checked quickly. Measure fish from the tip of the snout with the mouth closed to the end of the tail. Fish that you wish to keep should be dispatched immediately and placed on ice.