Fishing in Guy Fawkes River National Park

Guy Fawkes River National Park sits on the New England Tablelands of New South Wales, roughly halfway between Armidale and Grafton, where the plateau breaks apart into deep gorges and the rivers drop toward the coast.

The fishing here is freshwater and trout-focused — steep, tannin-stained streams running through country that takes some effort to reach. The Guy Fawkes River is the main water.

Waters upstream of Ebor Falls hold both rainbow and brown trout, and there's reliable fishing close to Ebor itself — the stretch behind the Ebor Pub is well known locally.

Hatchery-stocked male rainbows have been put into the river at times, averaging in the 2–4 lb range, which gives the fishing a different character than purely wild-fish country.

The Boyd River also draws visitors, with fishing, swimming and canoeing all possible along its length.

The trout season in NSW runs from the Saturday of the October long weekend through to the Monday of the June long weekend — check current regulations before you go, as rules can change.

You'll need a valid NSW Recreational Fishing Fee to fish anywhere in the park. This is gorge country. Access to the better water often means walking, and the terrain is serious enough that getting turned around is a real possibility.

Plan your entry points carefully and carry more water than you think you need. The park protects what makes this fishing worth having. Fish it accordingly.