Fishing Licences and Code of Conduct

Fishing Licences
In order to regulate and protect Victoria’s fishing industry, a Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) is required for all forms of recreational fishing in Victoria’s marine, estuarine and freshwaters. The RFL applies to all methods of taking or attempting to take fish by any method. This includes line fishing, bait collection, shellfish gathering, yabbie fishing and spear fishing. Visitors will require an RFL if planning to fish in Victoria.

You will not need a Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence if you:
• are under 18 years of age or 70 years and over
• are the holder of a Victorian Seniors Card
• receive a Commonwealth age pension, invalid pension, totally and permanently incapacitated pension or service pension.

The RFL can be purchased for periods of 48 hours, 28 days and one year and is available from over 900 businesses throughout Victoria including most bait and tackle stores. The RFL must be signed, and cannot be loaned or transferred to another person.

Recreational Fishing Code of Conduct
Recreational fishers have a responsibility to look after fisheries resources for the benefit of the environment and future generations of fishers. VRFish, the Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body, has devised a Code of Conduct for recreational boat, shore, river, stream and jetty fishers in Victoria. The Code of Conduct provides guidelines on how to minimise conflicts on the water, and should be adopted by all recreational fishers.