The summer tradition of fishing and yabbying in our waters is as popular now as it was before the drought, but anglers and yabby hunters alike need to know what the bag limits, and fines for exceeding those, are.

Although there is no legal size for yabbies, possession limits apply; 30 litres whole yabbies or 200 whole yabbies of any size (whichever is the lesser), or 5 litres of yabby meat, claws or other parts or 200 parts of yabby meat, claws or other parts (whichever is the lesser) in, on or next to Victorian waters. Berried female yabbies must be returned to the water.

The absolute state-wide possession limit, regardless of if you are at home or in, on or next to Victorian waters is as follows:

• 600 or more whole yabby of any size or 90 litres or more of whole yabby; or
• 15 litres of yabby in any other form (meat, claws or other parts) or 600 parts of yabby meat, claws or other parts (whichever is the lesser)

Collection methods for yabbies:

• Not more than 10 baited lines (no hooks) (see Permitted Use of Equipment); or
• Not more than two bait traps (labelled) (see Using Equipment in Inland Waters); or
•Up to five hoop nets (labelled) in the following waters: Carrols Creek, Glenelg River system (excluding Rocklands Reservoir), Goulburn River system (excluding Lake Eildon), Kiewa River system, Latrobe River system, Mitta Mitta River system (excluding Lake Dartmouth), Ovens River system, Ryans Creek, Tarra River system, Waranga Basin and Wodonga Creek including any tributary stream flowing into those waters and any impoundment on those waters. Up to 10 hoop nets or open top lift nets with a maximum of 10 of either (labelled) in all other inland waters.

The use or possession of opera house nets is prohibited in, on or next to Victorian public waters.

Opera house nets can only be used in private inland waters such as farm dams where a maximum of three pots applies.

For more information on bag and size limits of yabbies and fish, visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/fishing-and-hunting/recreational-fishing/catch-limits-and-closed-seasons