Fishing at Nagambie runs under standard Victorian rules: most adults need a Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL), and every species carries its own size, bag and season rules. This page covers the licence; the species rules live with the VFA and our species guides.
01Who needs a licence
You need a current RFL to fish any Victorian water, including Lake Nagambie and the Goulburn, unless you are exempt. The exemptions are specific, per the VFA licence page: under 18s; people aged 70 or over; holders of a Victorian Seniors Card or interstate equivalent; holders of a Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Card, Victorian Veterans Card or DVA Gold Card (TPI); holders of a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card coded DSP, AGE or CAR (including Blind codes); and people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Worth knowing because it catches people out: Health Care Cards, JobSeeker and DVA White and Orange cards do not exempt you.
02What it costs
From 1 July 2026, bought online through Service Victoria: a 3-day licence is $10.00, 28 days is $24.70, a year is $40.80 and three years is $111.20 (slightly more over the counter). For a family trip the sums are kind: kids fish free, and a 3-day licence costs less than a tub of bait. Buy online before you leave; prices and conditions are always current on the VFA licence page.
03The rules beyond the licence
The licence lets you fish; the species rules decide what you can keep. The ones that matter most at Nagambie: the Murray cod closed season (1 September to 30 November) and 55 to 75 centimetre slot; the Murray cray winter season with its own slot and bag rules; and limits for golden perch and redfin. Protected species, including trout cod, must be released. The authoritative, current version of every limit is the VFA's catch limits and closed seasons guide, and rules do change, so check it before you keep a fish.
On the water itself, boating rules apply too: the lake's 20 knot limit, anti-clockwise travel and the rowing course exclusion are covered in boat ramps and zones, and regatta closures in what's on the lake this weekend.
04Common questions
Do kids need a fishing licence in Victoria? No. Under 18s fish without a licence, which makes Nagambie a cheap family fishing weekend; see our kids' fishing spots.
How much is a Victorian fishing licence? From 1 July 2026: $10 for 3 days, $24.70 for 28 days, $40.80 for a year online. Buy through Service Victoria before the trip.
Do pensioners need a fishing licence in Victoria? It depends on the card. Seniors Card holders and several pension and veteran cards are exempt, but Health Care Cards are not. Check your exact card against the VFA list.