The inland commercial fishery in New South Wales had a _mean annual catch of 344t over the past three decades, and is currently worth $1. 7 million per annum (1995/96 value). The commercial fishery commenced in the late 19th Century, and although production figures are available from 1883 onwards, coverage for years earlier than 1947 was very limited, with an unknown fraction of the total catch reported. The major species currently exploited by the fishery are golden perch, carp, Murray cod and freshwater yabby, while prior to 1980 redfin perch, silver perch and freshwater catfish were also significant components of the catch.

From the commencement of the commercial fishery there were resource conflicts between commercial fishers, traditional rights of the indigenous fishers, recreational fishers and a continual problem with widespread illegal fishing activities. The geographical extent of the fishery was gradually reduced to the current boundaries, which allow commercial fishing for finfish in approximately 5% of the linear measure of the inland waters of NSW.

There has been a long-established need for reliable data for the fishery, and while fishers have officially reported catches since 1947, the data have been poorly managed, and no comprehensive analysis has previously been attempted.