Presented from Issue 100
Considering the world class quality of our sea trout fishery, these fish are not sought after by enough anglers. Sea runners live in the salt water and run up our estuaries and rivers from the start of August to the middle of November. At this time of the year, they are here to eat the many species of fish that are either running up the rivers to spawn or are living in and around the estuary systems. Trout, both sea run and resident (Slob Trout) feed heavily on these small fish which darken in colouration as they move further into fresh water reaches.
The majority of these predatory fish are brown trout with rainbows making up a very small percentage of the catch. They can be found all around the state but it would be fair to say that the east coast is the least prolific of all the areas. They still run up such rivers as the Georges (and many others) but their numbers along with the quality of the fishing elsewhere make it difficult to recommend the area above the larger northern, southern and western rivers.
Read more ...In Devonport Magistrates Court on 1 August 2019 Kerry James Davison, of Devonport, appeared on matters relating to the illegal taking of whitebait. Mr Davison was found guilty of exceeding the 2 Kilogram daily bag limit, and exceeding the 10 Kilogram possession limit. Mr Davison was found by our Officers in possession of 37.9 Kilograms of whitebait. He had also taken 6.15 Kilograms from the Forth River in one day.
The charges were laid as a result of a joint Inland Fisheries, Parks and Wildlife and Tasmania Police Operation conducted in November 2017.
Mr Davison was convicted on both charges and was fined $4929, along with $85.86 in Court costs. During sentencing, the Magistrate referred to Mr Davison’s actions as a serious matter. The Magistrate also said that people needed to fish within the regulations for the fishery to remain sustainable. The Magistrates also acknowledged that the verdict was intended to provide a general deterrence to those who would also consider breaking the laws relating to the taking and possession of whitebait.
Whitebait regulations are in place for a reason. The fishery is fragile because of over fishing between the 1940’s and 1960’s. Illegal fishing for whitebait puts this fishery at risk for everybody who enjoys this activity.
If you witness illegal fishing, or anything suspicious at our inland waters please let us know. You can call 0438 338 530 or 1300 INFISH (1300 463 474). You can email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We tag for a number of reasons:
1) to estimate the number of fish in a water (usually a lake)
2) to work out how much a fish has grown
3) or to track fish movements.
Anglers can help in all these areas. Here is a quick guide on what you can do if you catch a tagged fish.
Date | Stocked | Quantity | Size | Area | |||
5/06/2019 | Big Waterhouse Lake | 200 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
1/06/2019 | Big Waterhouse Lake | 400 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
5/06/2019 | Blackmans Lagoon | 100 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
30/05/2019 | Blackmans Lagoon | 400 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
10/05/2019 | Blackmans Lagoon | 250 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
9/05/2019 | Blackmans Lagoon | 250 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
7/06/2019 | Bradys Lake | 2100 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
16/05/2019 | Bradys Lake | 309 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
14/05/2019 | Bradys Lake | 750 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
7/05/2019 | Bradys Lake | 250 | Brown Trout | 600 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
5/06/2019 | Briseis Hole (Derby Mine Hole) | 100 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
30/05/2019 | Briseis Hole (Derby Mine Hole) | 400 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
13/06/2019 | Bruisers Lagoon | 50 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
23/05/2019 | Brushy Lagoon | 1500 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
18/04/2019 | Brushy Lagoon | 1050 | Brown Trout | 900 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
17/04/2019 | Brushy Lagoon | 125 | Brown Trout | 900 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
13/06/2019 | Camerons Lagoon | 50 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
18/05/2019 | Carter Lakes | 200 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
30/05/2019 | Craigbourne Dam | 1500 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
17/04/2019 | Craigbourne Dam | 250 | Brown Trout | 900 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
5/04/2019 | Craigbourne Dam | 91 | Atlantic Salmon | 10000 | Diploid | Hac - New Norfolk | Domestic |
29/05/2019 | Curries River Reservoir | 400 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
8/05/2019 | Curries River Reservoir | 1175 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
28/05/2019 | Dee Lagoon | 1000 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
26/06/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 250 | Brown Trout | 660 | Diploid | Sandbanks Creek, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
26/06/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 1052 | Brown Trout | 550 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
26/06/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 100 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
3/06/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 629 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
3/06/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 200 | Brown Trout | 700 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
27/05/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 1500 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
20/05/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 888 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
20/05/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 170 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
17/05/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 250 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
15/05/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 250 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
13/05/2019 | Four Springs Lake | 251 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
12/06/2019 | Lake Binney | 272 | Brown Trout | 550 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
7/06/2019 | Lake Binney | 250 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
21/05/2019 | Lake Binney | 1978 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
16/05/2019 | Lake Binney | 250 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
28/04/2019 | Lake Binney | 139 | Brown Trout | 500 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
23/05/2019 | Lake Botsford | 200 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
17/04/2019 | Lake Crescent | 250 | Brown Trout | 900 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
12/04/2019 | Lake Crescent | 500 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
10/04/2019 | Lake Crescent | 250 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
30/05/2019 | Lake Dulverton | 200 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
24/05/2019 | Lake Duncan | 30 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
23/05/2019 | Lake Kara | 524 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
22/05/2019 | Lake Leake | 2013 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
30/04/2019 | Lake Leake | 1050 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
24/05/2019 | Lake Lynch | 30 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Sandbanks Trap | Wild |
20/06/2019 | Lake Paget | 50 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
21/06/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 5 | Brown Trout | 1100 | Diploid | Tumbledown Creek, Arthurs Lake | Wild |
28/05/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 1500 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
30/04/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 125 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
27/04/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 250 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
26/04/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 750 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
24/04/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 754 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
23/04/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 1003 | Brown Trout | 900 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
19/04/2019 | Penstock Lagoon | 135 | Brown Trout | 600 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
19/06/2019 | Pet Reservoir | 250 | Brown Trout | 800 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
19/06/2019 | Pet Reservoir | 750 | Brown Trout | 550 | Diploid | River Derwent. Lake King William | Wild |
27/05/2019 | Pet Reservoir | 500 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
29/05/2019 | Pioneer Lake | 400 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
17/06/2019 | Rocky Lagoon | 100 | Brown Trout | 700 | Diploid | Sandbanks Creek, Yingina/Great Lake | Wild |
29/05/2019 | Tooms Lake | 1500 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Triploid | Hac - Millybrook | Domestic |
13/05/2019 | Tooms Lake | 1100 | Brown Trout | 850 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal | Wild |
12/06/2019 | Tungatinah Lagoon | 750 | Brown Trout | 550 | Diploid | River Derwent Trap @ Lake King William | Wild |
Amendments to the Abalone Management Plan have been released for consultation. The primary aim of these changes is to address risks of localised depletion and improve fish handling practices in the non-commercial fishery (recreational and Aboriginal). Some amendments such as compliance and handling also apply to the commercial fishery.
The main changes proposed include:
· Reducing the recreational bag limit from 10 to 5 abalone per day;
Marine and Safety Tasmania and Inland Fisheries have jointly funded an upgrade to the Tooms Lake boat ramp. Taking advantage of the current low lake level of - 2.60 m below the spillway, contractors removed stumps and snags from the vicinity of the ramp, extended the gravel ramp to the current water level and repaired the rock armour on the sides of the ramp.
The project was managed by the Inland Fisheries Service. Stocking of both brown and rainbow trout during the winter Tooms Lake is primed to fire early in the 2019/20 season – just add water!
The lake will need to rise by around 300 mm ( - 2.30 m) to make boat launching possible.
The level for Tooms Lake can be found at www.bom.gov.au – latest River Heights for the Northern Rivers.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/jun/18/tooms-lake-boat-ramp-upgrade
With fantastic weather and a great crew the Willow Warriors planted 700 native rushes, shrubs and trees along a stretch of the Tyenna River replacing recently removed willows. The willows, removed by the landholders at the Westerway Raspberry Farm, had been restricting access to the river and impacting on fish habitat. As they grow, our native plantings will help to shade the river, stabilise the banks (as the willow roots break down) and improve river health.
There were both new faces and seasoned Willow Warriors at the working bee and the many hands made light work of a big job. Participants had a chance to give back to one of Tasmania’s premier trout-fishing rivers and the landholders that provide access to it.
If you are interested in joining the next Willow Warriors event or hearing more about our 10-year plan to eradicate willows from the Tyenna River get in touch with Magali from the Derwent Catchment Project (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0424 277 226) or Neil from the Inland Fisheries Service (0438 279 421 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Derwent Catchment Project have been working with Inland Fisheries Service Anglers Access program and the Willow Warriors to remove willows and revegetate sections of the Tyenna River running through Lanoma Estate.
We have recently received support from the Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund, to develop and start the first stages of a 10-year plan to eradicate willows in the upper stretches of the Tyenna River.
Join the next Willow Warriors working bee to replace recently removed willows with native trees and shrubs at Lanoma Estate and hear more about the next stage of the Tyenna River Recovery Program.
Where: Lanoma Estate, Westerway
When: 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday 15 June
For more details and to RSVP get in touch with:
Magali (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0424 277 226)
Source : https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/jun/07/all-welcolme-tyenna-working-bee
Click "Read More" for a full size image
Improvements and upgrades to the car parks at both boat ramps have been completed at Little Pine Lagoon by IFS.
Both car parks have been levelled and graded and topped with gravel and will provide more space and convenience for shack owners and visitors to Little Pine Lagoon.
Source - https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/may/31/little-pine-lagoon-car-park-improvements
Little Pine Lagoon shack boat ramp car parking area has been improved
On Saturday, at Trout Weekend, the Minister responsible for Inland Fisheries Hon. Guy Barnett announced the winners of the Tasmanian Trout Fishing Photo Competition for 2019. The judges found it difficult to choose from a range of high quality photos that were sent in. The winners were:
1st Shaun Cooper
2nd Arnie Zinnoegger
3rd David Green
4th Nicholas Spencer
We would like to thank the sponsors - Fly 'n Dry Waders and Huey Lures
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/may/22/tasmania-trout-fishing-photo-competion-winners-announced
The IFS and MAST ask that anglers do not place rocks to step on to the floating pontoons at yingina/Great Lake or Arthurs Lake.
The pontoons slide on the anchor cables – if there is a gap between the pontoon and the shore simply slide the pontoon back to shore.
Placing rocks stops the pontoon from sliding and can damage the cables and chains under the pontoons when the lake level rises.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/may/22/important-notice-do-not-obstruct-floating-pontoons
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When you have finished for the day, why not have a brag about the ones that didn't get away! Send Mike an article on your fishing (Click here for contact details), and we'll get it published here. Have fun fishing - tasfish.com
Here is a list of all of the Article Categories. The number in Brackets, eg (13) is the number of articles. Click on Derwent River and all articles relating to the Derwent will be displayed in the central area.
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Hello everyone, I thought it would be a good time to introduce myself.
My name is Stephen Smith and I have been managing the website tasfish.com since May 2009.
It has been an epic journey of learning and discovery and I am indebted to Mike Stevens for his help, support and patience.
I am developing a new venture Rubicon Web and Technology Training ( www.rwtt.com.au ). The focus is two part, to develop websites for individuals and small business and to train people to effectively use technology in their everyday lives.
Please contact me via www.rwtt.com.au/contact-me/ for further information - Stephen Smith.
Mike Fry doesn’t only live on the Wild Side of Tasmania, but also goes fishing in probably the wildest boat ever to troll for trout—certainly in Tasmania.
When your mate says ‘What are you doing tomorrow, want to come up the Gordon for the night?’ it would be pretty hard to say anything else except “you bet” and start checking out your tackle box and packing your overnight bag. But if your mate was Troy Grining and he wanted to give his new 52ft, high speed cruiser a run across Macquarie Harbour, test the new onboard dory with a chance of landing a nice Gordon River Brown you would have to feel privileged. I didn’t say anything about getting on my hands and knees and kissing his feet…just having a lend of ya’ but I did feel very appreciative.