Warehou - Silver

silver warehou
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit10

 

possession limit20

 

boat limit-

(warehou species combined)

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

25cm
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

spotted trevally, spotted warehou, trevally, mackerel trevalla, skipjack trevally


Scientific name

Seriolella punctata

Grows to


Up to

66cm and 5.5kg

Identifying features


​Silvery-blue to grey across the back with a white-silver belly. The head is a darker grey-brown with a dark blotch above the pectoral fin. Young fish have a series of dark spots along the lateral line.

​Habitat

Silver warehou form schools in offshore waters from 3-650 metres, occasionally entering larger estuaries as juveniles all around Tasmania.

Fishing information

Can be taken recreationally by rod and line fishers in large numbers off wharves and jetties along Bass Strait in seasonally abundant years. Caught using fish flesh or raw chicken baits fished with light sinker or no sinker just below the sight line of the fisher. Berley will help attract these fish and keep them in the fishing area. When first hooked they turn on their sides and fight strongly, so using a long soft action rod will assist with capture. Also caught in the south east of Tasmania in the summer and autumn months.

Handling

Silver warehou have a set of small sharp first dorsal spines, which can easily break off into skin.

Cooking

These fish are have flaky, white flesh with a good flavour. They are best cooked fresh, as the flesh will go soft relatively quickly after capture. Fillets may go off white quickly when exposed to air, sometimes within a couple of hours. They are versatile fish to cook and can be baked whole, or fillets grilled and pan fried or done deep fried in batter.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au