Angler's paradise

While Canberra might not have the reputation for the waterfront lifestyle quite like our coastal friends do, we do have some great fishing spots for recreational fishers to enjoy. Many of these fishing spots go hand in hand with a BBQ and some family fun with other facilities available as well.

In the ACT we are lucky to have many lakes, rivers and ponds in our parks and reserves and urban areas. While we are spoilt for choice, not all public waters are made for fishing.

Recreational fishing in the public waters of the ACT does not require a licence, but you must comply with the Fisheries Act 2000, which aims to sustainably manage fish populations. Remember, if you want to fish in the adjoining NSW waters, you will need a NSW recreational fishing licence, which is available from most tackle shops, online via the Service NSW website or by calling 1300 369 365.

The public waters of the ACT are divided into prohibited waters, open waters and trout waters.

Find out more about recreational fishing in different water types and the location of public waters.

The Recreational fishing in the ACT brochure (5.0 MB) contains images to assist in identifying fish species. It also contains information on various dos and don'ts that need to be followed while fishing in the ACT waters.