Do Kids Need a Fishing License in Victoria?

I wondered if kids needed a licence to fish, so I did a little digging. Now I understand why I didn’t need one when I was younger!

So do kids need a license to fish in Victoria Australia? 

In Victoria, children under the age of 18 do not need a license. Anybody over the age of 18 does need to purchase one online, via  online through Service Victoria Licenses cost around $35.50(online) per year or $10 3 day licence.

🐠Check out the comprehensive Blog 🎣The Ultimate Fishing Guide: Techniques, Tips, and Gear for Success

Buying a license is simple, but getting kids interested in fishing can be hard, but with a few tricks, you might be able to pique their interest.

You will not need a licence to fish in Victoria if you are:

1. under 18 years of age;
2. 70 years of age or over;.

or a holder of a:

1. Victorian Seniors Card or interstate equivalent (see single card image to the right);
2. Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Card;
3. Veterans’ Affairs Repatriation Health Card coded (TPI)
4. Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card coded either (DSP), (DSP Blind), (AGE), (AGE Blind) or (CAR). or:
   • A person that identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
   Ordinary HealthCare Card, PPS (Parenting Payment Single) and Newstart benefit cards, as well as Seniors Business Discount Cards issued by the Victorian government are not exempt from purchasing a Fishing Licence.

   (Source)

Who needs a licence to fish in Victoria

A Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) entitles the holder to engage in all forms of recreational fishing in all marine, estuarine, and inland waters of Victoria.

Unless you are exempt, an RFL is required when the following conditions apply: 

Taking or attempting to take any species of fish from public waters through any method, including line fishing, bait or shellfish collection, yabby fishing, prawning, or spearfishing; and/or Using or possessing recreational fishing equipment in, on, or adjacent to Victorian waters.

Unless exempt, it is your responsibility to maintain a valid RFL while fishing in Victoria – penalties apply for fishing without a licence. Your RFL may not be lent or transferred.

Sparking an Interest in Fishing

Getting your child into fishing can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. 

You will make memories that will stick with them for their entire life! The trouble is that fishing can be scary for people in this day and age, especially kids.

Before you even take your child out to the lake, you need to give them some exposure. 

It’s best to start really young and walk them along lakesides, looking for minnows, and talking to other fishermen about their catch.

When you expose them to fishing early, it won’t seem so foreign when they get old enough to actually hold a rod in their hand. 

There is a great deal of preparation that you need to do beforehand to ensure success.

Prepare Yourself

As the boy scout motto implies, preparation is necessary. 

There are several things you should do before taking your child to their favourite spot.Children will want to fish, and they may become irritable if you take an eternity teaching them how to tie knots and cast. 

It is probably best if you demonstrate these points to them prior to your arrival at the lake.

Some excellent topics to discuss with them prior to the excursion include the following:

Reeling and casting
Correctly tying a fishing knot
Line rigging
Safely manipulating hooks

What it means to catch a fish (some children will become upset if they see a fish gasping for air) If you teach them these things on a Saturday at a popular public lake, you are likely to attract the attention of other fishermen.

The best course of action is to seek out additional mentors and friends for your son or daughter.

You want your first trip to be as straightforward as possible, consisting of driving to a lake, river, or pier and dropping your bait into the water. Everything should be organised in advance.

Ideally, you want to get something on their line on their first trip. They are unlikely to be concerned with what is tugging and pulling at their pole. If you demonstrate the excitement of catching a fish to them, they will usually become excited as well.

Conduct some research into the lakes in your area to determine which species are particularly easy to catch. You want your child to catch something, even if the fish is not particularly tasty. Your objective here is to create a memory for them that is associated with fishing.

Equipment Suggestions

I recommend investing in a straightforward pole equipped with a closed face reel. 

While many of you may prefer your fancy open-faced reel, your child is not interested in learning how to cast with one. Using a button is far more convenient. 

My suggestion is as follows.

Finding something on Amazon is advantageous because you can read the reviews and determine which items are lightweight and require little maintenance (the one I linked has superb reviews). 

Simplicity is critical, and your child will be unconcerned about how fancy his/her pole is. Allow them to begin with something simple.

Another excellent option is to let them choose it themselves. 

This enables them to establish a more personal connection. Simply ensure they do not choose a gimmick rod such as a bait launcher, as these typically break fairly quickly.

For Kids Who Don’t Know How to Fish

Fishing is a really simple hobby to learn. You are probably here because you child has an interest in fishing already. 

This could become something that you both enjoy doing together for years to come.

Take it slow, and ask other people what to do. I learned a lot of how to fish from people that I met on the shoreline. People are always willing to share their tips and tricks. Fishing can be frustrating at first, but it can become really relaxing and rewarding.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority free or low-cost programs to teach fishing basics, and could be a great event to go to with your kid.

Make sure you obey local regulations. you should be going to a specific place trying to fish a specific type of fish. If you go to any body of water and just drop some bait in, you might be breaking the law.

If Your Child Is Not a Fan of Fishing

Sometimes, children simply dislike fishing. It occurs. My first recommendation is to simply stop worrying about it for a while. 

My father and I have only gone fishing together twice, owing to the fact that I did not take up fishing until I was much older and had moved away.

Occasionally, you simply have to mature in order to appreciate something. Reintroduce yourself when they are older. 

The second thing I recommend is that you exercise your creativity. Involve your child in fishing in ways you may not have anticipated. Perhaps your child is particularly interested in gadgets and emerging technology!

If this is the case, it may be time to invest in a drone and experiment with drone fishing, with your teenager serving as pilot. Alternatively, if your child enjoys hiking, you could go on a hike to a secluded lake. There are numerous options.

Fishing related Blogs:

• 12 Easy and Effective Tips to Make Fishing With Kids Stress Free
• How to Get a Kid to Catch a Fish (Without disappointing them)
• Does Fly Fishing Catch More Fish Than Regular Spin Fishing
• Is fly fishing more effective
• Do kids need a fishing license in Victoria

Final Remarks

Tandem parachuting is a lovely two-person experience. You are welcome to sit side by side with your riding partner or even ride back and forth according to your preferences and the offers of the parasailer.

Moreover, the old saying, the merrier, when parasailing, is certainly true. You must now select a special person to parasail!