Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:30 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:30 AM AWST
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Demonstrate freshwater fishing skills
Demonstrate freshwater fishing skills
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOFSH311A
SISOFSH311A
State Code
D6388
D6388
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to catch fish in freshwater environments, such as rivers, streams and impoundments from small vessels and land based locations. The unit focuses on identifying fish habitats, selecting tackle, equipment and bait, and applying appropriate fishing techniques, including the safe handling, landing and releasing of fish. Fly fishing skills are not included in this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to fish in a freshwater environment.
- 1.1. Identify target recreational species and their habitats.
- 1.2. Identify potential hazards associated with freshwater fishing and procedures to minimise risks.
- 1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information that may impact on the activity.
- 1.4. Determine the most appropriate fishing technique for the target species.
- 1.5. Select appropriate fishing rig, equipment, terminal tackle, bait or lure and berley for target species and check working order.
- 1.6. Select safety equipment and gear to minimise risk of injury.
- 1.7. Assemble and balance fishing rig to suit target species, habitat and the fishing environment.
2. Catch freshwater fish.
- 2.1. Locate appropriate freshwater fishing location and determine safety measures according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.2. Deploy fishing rig using appropriate technique to present lure or bait to the target species.
- 2.3. Disperse berley if applicable.
- 2.4. Monitor fishing rigs performance and change settings as required to optimise outcomes.
- 2.5. Retrieve rig and land fish in appropriate manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
3. Handle freshwater fish.
- 3.1. Handle and release fish in a humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.2. Release fish using appropriate tagging and return techniques.
- 3.3. Despatch retained fish in a humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
4. Finalise fishing operations.
- 4.1. Analyse performance of the fishing rig, bait or lure and berley.
- 4.2. Identify improvements or modifications for future fishing sessions.
- 4.3. Clean, maintain and safely stow fishing rig and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Recreational species may include:
Australian Bass
Golden Perch
Silver Perch
Macquarie Perch
English Perch, Redfin
Catfish
Murray Cod
Cod Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Saratoga
Barramundi
Carp
River Blackfish.
Hazards may include:
the fishing location
fast flowing rivers
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported.
other craft.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions
Fishing techniques may include:
bait casting
lure casting
float fishing
bottom fishing
trolling
spinning
bait drifting.
Fishing rig, equipment, terminal tackle may include:
rods
reels and line
rigs.
Bait may include:
mudeyes
grasshoppers
shrimp
earthworms
bardi grubs
yabbies
bait fish.
Lures may include:
soft plastic
metal
minnow
spinners.
Berley may include:
chicken pellets
bread
fish frames
maggots
commercial berley mix.
Freshwater fishing location may include:
tropical, temperate and cold environments
rivers both fast and slow flowing
streams and creeks
freshwater impoundments.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations:
marine regulations
fishing regulations and restrictions
protected species
recreational fishery and netting licenses
fish and bag size limits.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
safety and emergency procedures
use, maintenance and storage of fishing equipment
procedures for handling dangerous fish
humane handling of fish policies
procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water
manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use
code of ethics.
Handle and release fish may include:
using fish handling tools, crates and rubber landing nets
removing hook or cutting the line
de hooking with fish still in the water
using gentle release practices
fizzing a fish
releasing weights.
Recreational species may include:
Australian Bass
Golden Perch
Silver Perch
Macquarie Perch
English Perch, Redfin
Catfish
Murray Cod
Cod Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Saratoga
Barramundi
Carp
River Blackfish.
Hazards may include:
the fishing location
fast flowing rivers
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported.
other craft.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions
Fishing techniques may include:
bait casting
lure casting
float fishing
bottom fishing
trolling
spinning
bait drifting.
Fishing rig, equipment, terminal tackle may include:
rods
reels and line
rigs.
Bait may include:
mudeyes
grasshoppers
shrimp
earthworms
bardi grubs
yabbies
bait fish.
Lures may include:
soft plastic
metal
minnow
spinners.
Berley may include:
chicken pellets
bread
fish frames
maggots
commercial berley mix.
Freshwater fishing location may include:
tropical, temperate and cold environments
rivers both fast and slow flowing
streams and creeks
freshwater impoundments.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations:
marine regulations
fishing regulations and restrictions
protected species
recreational fishery and netting licenses
fish and bag size limits.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
safety and emergency procedures
use, maintenance and storage of fishing equipment
procedures for handling dangerous fish
humane handling of fish policies
procedures for returning undersized and unwanted fish to water
manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use
code of ethics.
Handle and release fish may include:
using fish handling tools, crates and rubber landing nets
removing hook or cutting the line
de hooking with fish still in the water
using gentle release practices
fizzing a fish
releasing weights.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies safety measures to conduct freshwater fishing activities and selects safety equipment and gear to minimise the risk of injury
applies a range of fishing techniques and processes to catch and handle fish in freshwater environments using various baits and lures
evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple freshwater fishing activities in locations that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
appropriate freshwater fishing environments
equipment to fish in freshwater fishing environments.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe participation and demonstration of all practical tasks during freshwater fishing
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of freshwater fishing techniques and equipment
observation of safe and humane catching and handling of fish
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies safety measures to conduct freshwater fishing activities and selects safety equipment and gear to minimise the risk of injury
applies a range of fishing techniques and processes to catch and handle fish in freshwater environments using various baits and lures
evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple freshwater fishing activities in locations that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
appropriate freshwater fishing environments
equipment to fish in freshwater fishing environments.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of safe participation and demonstration of all practical tasks during freshwater fishing
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of freshwater fishing techniques and equipment
observation of safe and humane catching and handling of fish
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |