Victorian anglers can reel in the free 2025 Recreational Fishing Guide, available for free from hundreds of outlets including bait and tackle shops.
The free guide can be easily stored in your tinny or tackle bag and includes all the information fishers need to stay in line with size and bag limits to keep Victoria's world-class fisheries in great shape for years to come.
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Acting CEO Luke O'Sullivan said the free VicFishing app and web-based version of the guide also meant fishers could have information in the palm of their hand while out on the water.
"The 2025 guide includes changed fishing rules including the full protection of Macquarie perch throughout Victoria, removal of the Murray cod closed season from several waters, black bream in the Gippsland Lakes and revised limits for sea urchins and cockles," he said.
"These amendments already appeared in the smartphone app and web-based versions of the guide, which are updated more frequently throughout the year.
"Having the guide by your side means if you're by a river somewhere you can identify the fish you've caught, know what the size limits are and how many you can keep if they're biting.
"It also includes information about recreational licences, staying safe when diving, rock fishing and boating and what types of gear you can use – all of which contribute to healthy, sustainable fisheries in the long run.
"The guides are funded by the reinvestment of recreational fishing licence fees and complement a range of other free tools including plastic rock lobster and abalone measures, freshwater and saltwater fish length ruler stickers and more."
Mr O'Sullivan said the free VicFishing app had been downloaded more than 100,000 times since being released in 2015 and is now available in the Karen language as well as English, Cantonese and Vietnamese.
"Karen refugees are one of Victoria's fastest growing cultural groups and we know fishing holds a great deal of importance to many Karen people," he said.
"The 2025 Chinese and Vietnamese guides will be available very soon and, alongside the app, help us better connect with these passionate fishing communities."
Printed copies of the guide are available free of charge at most bait and tackle shops, many tourist information centres, and some service stations that sell fishing gear.
