Lake Echo is likely to reach a good water level in spring due to the power station being shut for refurbishment, winter rains and snow melt. Currently at 6.5 m below full supply level the water will soon exceed the highest level of last season (- 6.0 m). When the lake fills further the shallow edges in Brocks and Teal bays along with the Surveyors Marsh area will provide good visual fishing to tailing fish and flooded terrestrial feeders. The water level needs to get to about - 4 m below full supply level for the action to start happening in close. To monitor water levels go to https://www.hydro.com.au/water/lake-levels

In the mean time there have been reports of good fishing along the deeper western shore amongst the dead trees. This area is ideal for lure and bait fishing from the shore and floating a dry fly as the weather warms.

All three boat ramps at Lake Echo (Dam wall, Middle Echo and Large Bay) are now usable. Boat ramp locations and other information for anglers can be found in the Anglers Access brochure or the Infish app.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/aug/20/lake-echo-predicted-fire-spring

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 20 August 2021

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• Lake Echo
• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Last season, Lake Leake was one of our standout waters. Good numbers of large fish were caught using all methods. The lake has been spilling over winter and level is still be high.

The Inland Fisheries Service has transferred 1 200 adult wild brown trout and stocked 2 000 yearling rainbow trout into Lake Leake since early May. These will have settled in well and be eating the stick caddis, scud and snails that are commonly on the menu for trout in this lake.

Shore based angling options are reduced when the lake is spilling but even fishing from the pontoon near the dam wall was productive last season.

Water temperatures are low in August which can force fish to feed on deep weed beds. Anglers trolling on the outside of submerged timber will have success. The eastern side of the island and up into Snowy River Bay is a good area. Rainbow trout are common when trolling ‘wide’ but running along any drop off will increase your chances of catching a large brown trout.

In mild weather, brown trout will move into shallow water. Fly anglers should fish around structure with large woolly bugger patterns. Lure fishermen will do well with shallow running hardbodies and lightly weighted soft plastics. Casting from a drifting boat is the best tactic.

During cold weather, lures and flies will need to be fished more slowly and fewer fish will be found in the shallows. In this case, both fly and lure anglers need to get down to the top of the prolific weed beds that are abundant in the lake.

The 2021/ 2022 season is likely to be another good one for those fishing Lake Leake. The lake always fishes at its best before Christmas and August is the perfect time to get to know it. Those who spend a good deal of time on the lake will surely be there on opening weekend and during the months that follow.

There have also been three brown trout released into Lake Leake as part of the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion. Each trout is worth $2 000.

Source : https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/aug/12/fishing-lake-leake

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 13 August 2021

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• Lake Leake
• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 13 August 2021

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• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies
• Events

Marcus Collins (11 yrs) and Jaxson Collins (8 yrs) proudly showing their opening weekend catch from the Huon River at Judbury

Brown trout season 2021-22 kicked off over the weekend and what a weekend it was! The weather good (considering it is the Tasmanian Winter!) and the fish were biting well. Strong winter rains have ensured that our inland waterways are all at good high levels and this was reflected in the quality of the fishing.

Officers from the Inland Fisheries Service, Tasmania Police, Parks and Wildlife and Marine and Safety Tasmania teamed up state-wide. This was one of the largest multi-agency operations ever run over a Brown trout season opening weekend, culminating with a traffic operation in the Central Highlands organised by Tasmania Police.

Results from the patrols over the weekend include

Catch data from 51 inland waters was collected
821 anglers were interviewed about their fishing experience
479 Brown trout, 205 rainbow trout and 3 Atlantic salmon inspected
350 vehicles were stopped and checked
Multiple camps were visited on Parks, Hydro and Council managed land
Over the weekend offences were detected and dealt with under Inland Fisheries, Marine and Safety, Parks, Road Safety, Transport and Firearms Legislation. This represents a very successful multi agency approach to the opening of the brown trout season and Inland Fisheries would like to thank the other agencies for their support.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/aug/09/another-amazing-brown-trout-opening-weekend-behind-us

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 13 August 2021

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• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

A wild brown trout from Curries River Reservoir

Located close to Georgetown on the Bridport Road, Curries River Reservoir is one of Tasmania’s many under-fished trout waters. The lake has received over 2 300 adult rainbow and 2 900 adult brown trout in the last two years. Recent rains have increased water levels, giving brown trout large bays in which to forage. This lake and the way in which the fish in it feed, provide opportunities for all methods of fishing.

Early season is a terrific time to fish on Curries River Reservoir. The weather is almost always warmer here than at most other fishing spots and fish feed heavily early in the fishing season.

A causeway that separates the smaller eastern side of the lake from the larger, western side, is a popular place for bait anglers. The water is deep close to the edge. Powerbait is often used to catch rainbows in this area of the lake but worms are more effective if you are wanting to catch the larger brown trout.

The most sort after food source for trout in Curries River Reservoir is galaxias. These small fish are prolific and enable fast growth for trout and provides exciting fishing. Anglers should keep an eye out for trout that is chasing these fish. Schools of galaxias are commonly seen rippling the surface before being preyed upon by large fish. This happens all over the lake and is common on calm days. Persistence and accurate casting pays off in these conditions.

Spin and fly fishermen should concentrate on using small to medium sized bait fish patterns.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 08 August 2021

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• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Read more: Curries River Reservoir - early season option

Due to timber harvesting operations planned from August 2021 to January 2022 on the eastern side of the Talbots Lagoon Dam anglers access will be restricted in this area. Please observe all warning signs on the access roads and tracks.

Access to the western and southern shores, public car parks and access points will not be affected.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/aug/04/talbots-lagoon-foresty-operations

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 05 August 2021

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• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Click on the map for a full size image

The IFS has completed a new suite of information to assist anglers to access St Clair Lagoon. New signage at the Pumphouse Point car park, additional track makers along the Fishermans Trail and a new fact sheet have been completed.

Whilst anglers are welcome to fish St. Clair Lagoon and Derwent Basin via the Fishermans Trail please note that the Pumphouse Point road, buildings and flume are reserved for guests of Pumphouse Point only. Please respect the privacy of Pumphouse Point guests.

St Clair Lagoon is renowned for tailing fish during high water levels, rising fish during spring and summer and polaroiding on bright days.

 Source : https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/jul/30/st-clair-lagoon-anglers-access

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 01 August 2021

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• Lake St Clair
• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

The new angling season starts on Sunday 1 August 2021 with most brown trout waters opening on Saturday 7 August. With the good winter rain, water levels will be high and there is likely to be exciting fishing right from the start. The trout will be in close feasting on food along the flooded edges.

Over winter we have been busy transferring wild adult brown trout from the Central Highlands and frisky young rainbow trout sourced from the Huon Aquaculture Millybrook fish farm ready for the new season. To find out more about where the fish have been released go to https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fisheries/stocking/

Go trout fishing to win*
50 fish = $100,000*
Fifty tagged brown trout have been released into waters around Tasmania for the 2021-22 season. Each tag is worth $2,000* to the angler that returns the fish to the Inland Fisheries Service (*conditions apply). The tags are orange and have unique identifying details.

The Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion will follow the open season for each water in line with the 2021–22 Angling Season.

The waters and number of tagged trout released are:

In these uncertain times Tasmania is the place to be. What better time to explore the wide range of exceptional trout fishing we have in our wonderful state?

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/jul/30/trout-fishing-season-outlook-2021-22

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 30 July 2021

Hits: 1581

• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies
• Events

A tagged wild adult brown trout being released into the River Derwent

We recently tagged 400 wild adult brown trout and released them into the River Derwent above Bridgewater. Each trout has a single green tag with a four-digit number. We are going to use these fish to investigate the movements and growth of brown trout in the River Derwent. They will also tell us how easy the trout are to catch.

For the next two years, if you catch one of these fish with a green tag, please tell us. Let us know the tag number, where you caught the fish, it’s length and weight.

Report tagged fish by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 1300 IN FISH (130 463 474)

There is no need to release these fish, we just want to know if you catch one.

We are also keen to know how many other untagged trout are caught. If you fish the River Derwent for trout, please contact us and we will send you an IFS Tasmanian Inland Recreational Anglers Logbook. You can record your can record your catch.

Now, do not confuse these tagged fish with the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion fish, which have orange tags. The fish with orange tags are worth $2000 each to the lucky angler who catches them. There are three fish with orange tags in the River Derwent.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/jul/29/river-derwent-tagged-trout-trials

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 29 July 2021

Hits: 1143

• Derwent River
• IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies