9 Lake Burbury
Situated about eight kilometres east of Queenstown on Tasmania's west coast is Lake Burbury. The lake is split by the Lyell Highway and overall it is about 20 kilometres long, but one would never be more than one kilometre from shore. This is a relatively new lake, being filled in 1992.
Predictions varied about how it would shape up due to copper pollution from the old Mount Lyell mine. Some said it would become barren and the trout would die, whilst other predicted a Lake Pedder experience of huge fish and then others claimed it would be over populated with small fish.
It seems everyone was wrong and we have a tremendous fishery that attracts keen bait, lure, trolling and fly fishers. All methods are very successful.
Like many Tasmanian lakes mudeyes are the most successful baits and are usually fished from the shore. Good success is had by anglers using soft plastic lures and trolling cobras and bibbed lures will always bring results.
Fly fishers love the early morning windlane fishing from boats. These windlanes or slicks can contain hundreds of midging fish swimming along mopping up the food. However once the windlanes are gone fly fishing becomes quite difficult.
Expect to catch good numbers of browns and rainbows to well over one kilogram.
Lake Burbury is open all year round and has a 20 fish bag limit which is higher than most.
Most brown trout designated waters open in August and close at the end of April.
Most rainbow trout designated waters open in October and close at the end of May.
Lakes Barrington, Burbury, Great, Gordon, Pedder, Meadowbank Dam, Craigbourne Dam and Brushy Lagoon are open all year round.
