Western Australia’s 2024 marron season ran from noon on 8 January to noon on 5 February. Before fishing, DPIRD urged recreational fishers to check that their chosen water was open and that they understood the applicable gear, bag, size and possession rules. The season is over; the later rules below are clearly identified as guidance from DPIRD’s December 2025 guide, not as rules verified for 2024.
When did the WA marron season open and close?
The 2024 season opened at noon on 8 January and closed at noon on 5 February, a four-week window, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)’s 3 January 2024 announcement. These dates describe the 2024 season, not a current opening notice.
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DPIRD described the limited season and its rules as management measures intended to sustain the fishery. Fisheries Management Officer Aaron Moses said the controls help manage fishing pressure and account for environmental changes, including reduced rainfall and run-off into rivers and dams in WA’s South.
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DPIRD’s 2024 notice said recreational marron fishing required a marron licence. It also urged fishers to confirm that the water they planned to fish was open and to check the rules for compliant gear, bag limits, minimum size and possession limits before setting out. The notice does not establish the exact 2024 limits for every water, so later figures should not be assumed to have applied then.
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For decisions about fishing now, consult DPIRD’s marron recreational fishing guide. Its December 2025 edition says it reflects information current at printing, may change, and does not replace the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 or Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995.
What methods and water restrictions does DPIRD’s 2025 guide describe?
The December 2025 guide permits a regulated drop net, one wire basket scoop net or one self-tightening pole snare. Only one method may be used at a time. Some waters are snare-only, while others are closed to marron fishing, so an otherwise permitted method is not automatically legal at every destination.
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Check the current official guide’s water-specific rules before travelling. Do not treat the 2025 method list or local restrictions as a confirmed description of the 2024 rules.
How do the 2025 size and catch limits vary by water?
DPIRD’s December 2025 guide sets different limits for trophy waters and other marron waters. These are later guide figures and are not evidence of the precise limits that applied during the 2024 season.
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| Water classification | Minimum carapace length | Daily bag limit | Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trophy waters (December 2025 guide) | 90 mm | 5 marron per day | 5 on or adjacent to trophy waters |
| Other marron waters (December 2025 guide) | 80 mm | 8 marron per day | 16 |
Under the 2025 guide, measure each marron as soon as it is caught, using an approved gauge. Return undersize marron and females carrying eggs or young immediately and carefully. DPIRD warns that a ruler or drink can can lead to measurement mistakes; gauges are available from tackle shops. Check the current size rule and guide before relying on a gauge.
What does the 2024 catch report say about the fishery?
DPIRD Fisheries Research Report No. 347, published in December 2024, estimated that fishers retained 82,435 marron during 2024: 67% came from rivers and 33% from dams. The report also estimated 102,461 marron were released, for an overall release rate of 55%.
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The report recorded 28,272 fishing days. It estimated that 8,592 fishers participated—66% of licence holders aged five or older. The authors said retained catch had remained within an accepted range of 50,000–100,000 since 2003, a range defined using 95% confidence intervals, and deemed the fishery currently sustainable. They also called for continued monitoring as environmental conditions change.
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These are report estimates for 2024, not a forecast or a guarantee about future stocks. DPIRD’s 4 February 2025 summary quoted scientist Claire Smallwood saying the research helps assess how the recreational fishery has changed over time and contributes to ongoing sustainability assessments in changing environmental conditions.
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What should you do if you see illegal fishing or catch a tagged marron?
Report suspected illegal traps safely
DPIRD’s 2024 announcement advised fishers not to confront people using illegal traps. Note what you observe and report it through FishWatch or Crimestoppers.
Send tag details to researchers
The 2024 notice said a tagged marron that meets the legal size requirement may be kept, but asked fishers to share the catch location, date and tag number with DPIRD; include a photo if possible. Follow the current rules for the water you are fishing when deciding whether a catch may be retained.
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