In saltwater there will be a new bag limit of 10 fish per angler per day for bream, tarwhine, tailor, trevally, luderick, flathead (other than dusky) and blue swimmer crabs. The possession limit for these species will remain at 20.

Two crab traps and four witches hats or hoop nets per angler will be allowed. The bag limit on small bait fish will be increased to 100 per species.

In freshwater a new upper size limit of 80 centimetres will apply to Murray cod. Any fish larger than this must be returned to the water immediately. The legal size limit of 60 centimetres will be retained.

The spawning closure for bass and estuary perch will be extended for one month, to May-August, to protect late-spawning fish.

Yabby chasers will be allowed to use five hoop nets per person in Googong reservoir, Lake Wallace and Lake Lyell, as well as in Eucumbene and Jindabyne.

Bow hunters also will be delighted to know that in 2015 a pilot program will be trialled in selected areas to allow bow hunting for carp.

Regulations also have been tidied up to allow retention of yabbies caught in shrimp traps and shrimps caught in yabby traps. Traps and nets in future must be marked with the owner's initial, surname, year of birth and postcode.

In freshwater and saltwater transhipping of fish from one boat to another (except for bait species) will not be allowed.

Updated brochures, guides and sticky rulers will be available from tackle shops from November 3.

Local lakes

Googong is the local hotspot if you want to chase redfin. There are plenty and fish up to 1 kilogram have been taken on trolled deep-diving lures and smaller spinnerbaits. Smaller lures have been preferred for shore-based fishers.

Curiously, Googong is the only location locally where redfin are active. Only occasional specimens have been taken in the urban lakes or Burrinjuck, even though they all contain large numbers of the fish. It is assumed they will become active only when the warmer weather arrives.

A kayak angler who accidentally snagged his electric motor on an illegal set line in Lake Burley Griffin near the Governor-General's residence was surprised when he got towed around for a couple of minutes. He eventually freed his motor and discovered the cause was a 1.2-metre Murray cod on the line.

The fish was still in good condition, strong and swam away vigorously when he unhooked it.

Good conditions for trout opening

Many of the regional trout streams are in good condition, carrying reasonable heads of water, and anglers are looking forward to the opening of the trout season on Saturday, October 4.

Despite the present status of the streams more rain would always be welcome to add to existing flows from snowmelt and releases from alpine bogs.

Don't forget, the last of the free fly fishing classes will be staged by the Canberra Anglers Association on Sunday, September 21, from 10am-noon. It's held on the lawns in front of Old Parliament House and all gear is provided.

Lake Ginninderra competition

Adam Samios from My2Hooks is organising another competition - Pride Of The Perch - in Lake Ginninderra for Sunday, November 9. It will be held from 8am-4pm and prizes will be awarded for golden perch and redfin perch only. Top prize is $1000, with lots of lucky door prizes, too.

Entry is $30, or $20 for juniors and $80 for families. Proceeds will be used for stocking of the lake with native fish. For further information go to fishing@my2hooks.net or ring 0422 717 077.