It is illegal to use undersized fish for bait. If a fish is under the legal minimum size it must be returned to the water even if it is no longer alive.
It is an offence to use any part of the following species for bait or berley:
- rock lobster
- abalone
- any species listed as protected, including limpets.
What can I use for bait or berley?
For the species listed below, you can only use the heads and frames for berley or to bait rock lobster pots and rings—unless you have a receipt showing you bought the whole fish.
- bastard or striped trumpeter
- banded morwong
- boarfish
- tuna other than skipjack
- trout
- school, gummy, blue and mako shark
- yellowtail kingfish.
Recreational baitfish species
Baitfish
Baitfish include anchovies, sardines, sprats and hardyheads.
- Bag limit: 50 (species combined)
- Possession limit: 100 (species combined)
- No minimum size
Bait invertebrates
Bait invertebrates include soldier crabs, marine worms and burrowing shrimp.
Whitebait
For information on the whitebait fishery contact the
Inland Fisheries Service.
Use biosecure bait
- Only buy bait from locally supplied sources.
- If you catch your own bait, try to source it from
the same area where you fish. Moving fish including frames, offal and
shells, between locations can spread diseases and marine pests.
- Bringing dead or live bait to Tasmania is prohibited in most instances. Bait originating from other states or countries may contain pests and diseases that do not occur in Tasmania.
Call
Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 for more information.
Animal bait and berley
- Mammal flesh, blood or offal other than pellets cannot be used as berley.
- Only native animals that have been lawfully taken (eg. by licensed shooters) can be used for bait.
- Road kill cannot be used.
Phone Game Services Tasmania on 1300 292 292 for more information.