Fishers get claws into season

The recreational marron season began with some excitement last Friday as fishers took to the waterways in search of the tasty freshwater crayfish.

Greenbushes resident Phil Daff was among the fishers along the Preston River, near Boyanup, when the season began at noon.

Mr Daff said he had some luck after catching two marron using drop nets during the afternoon.

“I fish for marron all over the South West, the Warren River is the best spot but I also like the Blackwood River.

“I usually use snares but it depends on the area and I decided to use drop nets.”

Mr Daff said he saw about 30 people fishing for marron along the river during Friday afternoon.

“I saw one guy catch quite a few but I was done after catching two, I caught one about 120mm and another about 90mm, ” he said.

“I don’t usually eat them myself but I give them to friends and family to eat.”

The four-week season, which runs until February 5, began with a warning from fisheries officers to recreational fishers encouraging them to adhere to the rules to ensure the sustainability of the fishery.

Only licenced recreational fishers can fish for marron and the freshwater crayfish can only be caught using specific drop nets, scoop nets or bushman’s pole snare as all other fishing gear, including any type of trap, is illegal.

Fishers at Harvey Dam can take five marron per day over the size of 90mm within 500m of the waterline while in all other open water, the daily bag limit is eight marron over the size of 80mm.