Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has announced Western Australians can go fishing licence-free on October 15, 2017 to mark the second-ever national Gone Fishing Day. The special day will enable recreational fishers to cast a line, even if from a boat, without the need for a recreational fishing licence.
“Recreational fishing is one of WA’s treasured pastimes and the McGowan Government wants more people in the community to enjoy the pleasure of casting a line. National Gone Fishing Day, which is also a special licence-free day, is the perfect time for those who haven’t tried fishing before to get a taste of the experience” Minister Kelly commented.

The Minister said that Gone Fishing Day began in 2016 to celebrate the great fishing experiences that our State has to offer. Recfishwest through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund has provided $500 grants for fishing clubs and groups to run fishing workshops, information sessions, community fishing clinics and other events promoting recreational fishing.Minister Kelly went on to point out that the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has also delayed the start of the 2017 West Coast Bioregion demersal finfish closure by one day, to enable people to fish for special species, such as dhufish and pink snapper, on national Gone Fishing Day. The Minister also pointed out that recreational fishing rules such as bag boat, size and possession limits still apply as does existing recreational fishing closures, including the existing closure on fishing for pink snapper in the Cockburn and Warnbro sounds.
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