Rainbow Trout (also known as Rainbow) in the Australian Capital Territory. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the ACT Government guide, 2026.
In the Australian Capital Territory, the minimum legal size for Rainbow Trout is 25 cm and the daily bag limit is 5 (combined brown and rainbow trout). Season note: Open Waters: open all year. Trout Waters: open from the October Labour Day long weekend to the June King's Birthday long weekend, and closed to all fishing outside that window. Bait fishing is prohibited in Trout Waters at all times.
Open Waters: open all year. Trout Waters: open from the October Labour Day long weekend to the June King's Birthday long weekend, and closed to all fishing outside that window. Bait fishing is prohibited in Trout Waters at all times.
Trout are a coldwater introduced sportfish with a 25 cm minimum and a combined daily bag of 5 (brown and rainbow together). The ACT splits its waters into Open Waters (fishable year-round) and Trout Waters — the cold upland catchments (Cotter, Gudgenby, Naas, Paddys, Condor Creek) that close to all fishing over winter to protect spawning trout and ban bait fishing entirely. Check which zone you are in before you fish.
These limits are pulled from the ACT Government recreational fishing rules. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. ACT Government (recreational fishing administered under the Fisheries Act 2000) updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
The Australian Capital Territory does not require a recreational fishing licence to fish its public waters — but you must comply with the Fisheries Act 2000. One exception: Googong Reservoir is managed under New South Wales rules and requires a NSW recreational fishing licence.
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