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Fishing facts for western Queensland's winter tourists

If you are heading to the Sunshine State this winter and fancy trying a spot of freshwater fishing

If you are heading to the Sunshine State this winter and fancy trying a spot of freshwater fishing, make sure you get to grips with the fishing rules.

Freshwater fishing can be a great way to get to know an area if you are planning to spend some time there and anyone who has headed to western Queensland will know there are some fantastic fishing spots.

With 8000 km of land to explore around Longreach, there are some top spots to check out, including Avington waterhole on the Barcoo River where you can camp and fish in beautiful tranquillity.

The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol District Officer for Longreach, Gary Muhling, offers some essential tips to ensure you are fishing within the law.

Mr Muhling said fishing gear can be a problem for some tourists new to freshwater areas.

"People who normally fish in tidal water or other states sometimes don't realise there are different rules for fishing in Queensland's freshwater," Mr Muhling said.

"There are limits to the amount, type and ways in which apparatus like fishing lines or traps can be used.

"To help people understand what they can and can't do when out freshwater fishing, we have developed a handy checklist for some of the most common issues we come across when out and about on patrol.

Checklist for line fishing

* Set lines must be tagged with your surname and address.
* Set lines should be checked regularly and not left unattended. To allow any undersized or non-target species to be released safely, you must never be more than 200 m from a set line.
* Fishing lines must not be set as cross lines (fixed at both ends).
* No more than six fishing lines or set lines alone or in combination can be used per person at any one time.
* Only one hook or artificial fly or lure can be attached to a fishing line.

Checklist for fishing with traps

* All traps must be tagged with your surname and address.
* Traps not fixed to stationary objects must have a light-coloured float measuring a minimum of 15 cm in each dimension. The float must have your first name and surname and the pot must have your first name, surname and address. Try using an empty plastic milk bottle as a float!
* Check your traps regularly to improve the quality of your catch and ensure non-target species (such as freshwater turtles) that are accidently caught can be released safely.
* Up to four canister traps, collapsible traps, dilly nets, funnel traps or round traps or any combination of these can be used per person in freshwater.

Mr Muhling said another common problem for interstate fishers can be making sure they know the correct sizes for traps.

Mr Muhling said fishing rules are in place to help maintain sustainable fish stocks.

"The rules which limit the use of gear like traps have been developed to protect vulnerable non-target species like turtles and platypus."