ifs management planTasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2018-28

In June, Sarah Courtney, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, launched the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2018-28.
The Plan will guide the management of the recreational trout fishery in Tasmania for the next 10 years. It aims to provide a sustainable, vibrant and healthy fishery.
After extensive public consultation, the Plan provides better opportunities for anglers, assesses fishery performance and conserves fish stocks as a recreational resource for future generations.

The plan outlines measures to increase participation locally and from tourism markets. It balances the needs for individual fishery management while standardising regulations.
It supports the actions to grow and develop recreational fishing in Tasmania. These include a freeze on trout fishing licences, improved access for anglers and better facilities that encourage female participation and angling tourism.

The Plan ensures all anglers will have an enjoyable fishing experience into the future.


ifs lobster2Largest ever fine for poaching giant freshwater crayfish

On Monday 20 August 2018, the Burnie Magistrates Court convicted a northwest man of offences relating to giant freshwater crayfish. Magistrate McKee heard Mr Bakes illegally hunted, caught and ate the highly protected and threatened species from November 2013 to November 2017. This is most serious case about giant freshwater crayfish ever dealt with by the Inland Fisheries Service.

Paul Charles Bakes was convicted of;
" six counts of take protected fish;
" nine counts of possess freshwater crayfish; and
" one count of take trout without a licence.

He was fined a sum of $8 550 and $66.36 in court costs.
Information from the public resulted in a joint operation between IFS Fisheries Officers and Marine Police at Stanley. Mr Bakes admitted the offences and was charged.

Mr Todd Walsh is a local expert with 15 years' experience in giant freshwater crayfish. Mr Walsh said it was pleasing to see the courts taking the issue of poaching the species seriously.
"I know of the hard work continually done by the Inland Fisheries Service in protecting our native species, so it was pleasing to see the Magistrate give a large enough fine to not only stop the defendant from putting the species at risk, but also serve as a big warning to anyone else that might think about doing the same thing".

Our Section Manager, Chris Wisniewski said, "Before the banning of fishing for giant fresh water crayfish in Tasmania in January 1998, records show a wide scale decline in the population. Especially in the number of large, reproductive adults. This decline was directly linked to those fishing targeting larger specimens."
Anyone with information relating to the illegal taking of protected species can call the IFS on 0438 338 530, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


ifs lake augustaSigns and Brochures

The Anglers Access Program team, led by Neil Morrow, has replaced over 200 signs around the state, all in time for the start of the 2018-19 trout season.
The release of the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2018 28 brought quite a lot of regulation changes. These include changes to bag limits, size limits, angling methods for Huntsman Lake, the all-year boundaries for the River Derwent and the River Leven.

We have updated our Angler Access Program brochures, the Tasmanian Inland Fishing Code 2018-19 and the InFish App. Make sure you have latest information and update the InFish app for the 2018-19 season.


Applications open to the Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund

The Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund is calling for submissions for grant funding. Projects need to:
" Improve fresh water habitat.
" Prevent deterioration of freshwater habitat.
" Demonstrate tangible environmental benefit.
Funding is available to groups, organisations or individuals for projects up to a total of $60 000.
Applications close 1 February 2019 with funding available from 1 July 2019.
Project funding guidelines and applications are available from the Secretary/Treasurer Tony Wright phone 0419 116 541 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


The Tumebledown Creek bridge is closed

Tumbledown Creek Bridge next to Arthurs Lake is closed. The bridge allows access to Little Lake and Gunns Lake. Deteriorating structural condition is the cause of the closure.
This timber bridge was originally built nearly 15 years ago to provided access to transmission lines. Hydro Tasmania (HT) left the bridge in place to allow recreational users access to Little Lake and Gunns Lake

TasNetworks and HT are developing a bridge replacement plan that should be finalised by the end of November. Construction is planned for summer/autumn 2019.
IFS is keeping in close contact with TasNetworks and HT on the bridge replacement proposal and will keep anglers informed of progress.
HT advised that it is unlikely the adjacent ford will be crossable until the lake level reduces in the mid-summer months. HT estimate high clearance vehicles can pass through the ford when the Arthurs Lake water level is more than 1.8m below full supply level. However, it is up to individuals to assess whether conditions are appropriate to allow safe fording.
You can find up to date information on the lake levels on the Hydro Tasmania website.