The recreational bag limit for redfin has been removed in Victoria, resolving a frustrating cross border anomaly for recreational fishers. Anglers fishing in NSW or Victorian waters, can now keep as many redfin as they can catch.

Redfin are a popular species among freshwater anglers because they are a tasty table-fish, however there is increasing evidence that redfin are harmful to native fish and other popular sport fish such as trout.

Abolishing catch limits on redfin will assist in managing the high number of them in our lakes and rivers and improve the quality of the redfin fishery in many waterways.

Redfin populations in some lakes can become so abundant that growth of individuals becomes limited by competition amongst siblings. Removing the bag limit will improve many redfin fisheries by reducing the competition and allowing some individuals to grow to a larger size, more desired by freshwater anglers.

The move will bring Victoria into line with regulations in NSW. The difference has been a source of frustration for fishers, who sometimes get caught out when they are moving between NSW and Victorian waters.

Redfin populations are widespread but better known waters include lakes such as Eildon, Hume, Eppalock and Fyans and the Loddon, Campaspe and Wimmera rivers. Several other waters that have recently recovered from the drought also support booming redfin fisheries.

The impact the species has on other valued native and sport fish such as trout and salmon has also been a concern.

The decision to remove the bag limit of 30 redfin has received support from VR Fish and fishers who attended recent Regional Recreational Fishing Forums.