Recreational fishers can now buy a three-day fishing licence from the Evans Head Visitor Information Centre at 17 Kirkland Court, Evans Head.
If you are 18 years and over you need to pay a recreational fishing fee and carry the receipt showing proof of payment to legally fish in freshwater or saltwater.
This applies even if you’re spearfishing, collecting bait or hand lining.
It doesn’t matter if you are a professional angler or an amateur – everyone who fishes recreationally must have a valid licence.
Licence fees cost:
$7 for three days
$14 for one month
$35 for one year
$85 for three years
Recreational fishing licences issued by other states, territories or countries are not valid for fishing in NSW waters. All visitors must pay the NSW fee.
Fishing without a licence can result in an on-the-spot fine of $200 or a maximum $2200.
The Visitor Information Centre at Evans Head is open 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturday and Sunday. Make sure to bring along some form of identification such as a driver’s licence or passport so staff can verify who you are before issuing your fishing permit.
If you own a smartphone you can link your fishing fee receipt with the Service NSW app.
Fees collected from NSW fishing licences are reinvested back into fisheries research, management and monitoring programs. This helps keep our rivers, creeks and estuaries healthy for both the fish species which inhabit them and the recreational fishers who enjoy them.
For more information on fishing in NSW waters, visit here.
Exemptions to having to pay the recreational fishing fee applies to anyone
under the age of 18,
an adult assisting a person under the age of 18 to take a fish using a single rod or to take prawns using a single dip or scoop net,
a person fishing in a private dam with a surface area of two hectares or less,
an Aboriginal person.
current pensioner concession card holder,
current pensioner concession card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Please note that Senior cards, Healthcare cards and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Veteran White Cards will not exempt you from paying the fishing fee.
