Improved western access to Pet Reservoir

Pet Reservoir now has improved access for older and mobility impaired anglers.

Works have been completed to improve the parking area close to the existing access on the western side of the dam, the path to the edge of the dam and widen pedestrian access.

The reservoir is home to a healthy population of brown and rainbow trout.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2021/apr/01/pet-reservoir-access-improved 

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 15 April 2021

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Tasmanian Irrigation wishes to advise that Craigbourne Dam in Tasmania’s South East is closed to the public. The dam is closed to fishing and recreational activities as a precaution due to the detection of naturally occurring blue-green algae.

Tasmanian Irrigation is continuing to monitor the dam on a weekly basis and will advise the public when Craigbourne Dam is available for recreational use. There is currently no impact on irrigation as a result of the dam closure.

Tasmanian Irrigation thanks the public for its patience during the closure.

Source: Blue-Green Algae Advisory for Craigbourne Dam (ifs.tas.gov.au)

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 20 March 2021

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Due to the constraints of delivering a COVID-Safe event, Trout Weekend 2021 will not go ahead.

The Inland Fisheries Service has reluctantly taken this measure, as this is an important event for the Inland Fisheries Service, anglers and the Central Highlands community.

Trout Weekend is planned to return on the 21 and 22 May in 2022.

For any queries, contact Steve Paterson on 0438 338 530 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Trout Weekend 2021 cancelled

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 17 March 2021

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• Events

Women in fishing events

To mark International Women's Day, free fishing clinics for women and girls are being held in Hobart and St Helens.

If you'd like to try fishing, or to brush up your skills, come along to one of the clinics where you'll get tips from experienced volunteers and female mentors. We'll have gear available or bring your own rod. Learn how to rig it, cast your line and handle a fish when you catch one.

There are giveaways at both events including rods and fishing caps. Please pre-register by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can register at the event, but numbers may be limited.

Tag your photos and win

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 06 March 2021

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Read more: Women's fishing clinics

Some of the rubbish collected as part of Clean up Australia Day from Lake Sorell

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 06 March 2021

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Cramps Bay Pontoon

Marine And Safety Tasmania (MAST), in conjunction with Hydro Tasmania, have completed installation of a cable pontoon at Cramps Bay, yingina / Great Lake. Located at the north eastern end of the lake the pontoon provides added convenience for day trips from the Launceston area and for local shack owners. The installation was the result of a successful funding application submitted to MAST by Cramps Bay boaters. The pontoon compliments existing facilities at Swan Bay and Brandum Bay. The Inland Fisheries Service congratulates MAST and Hydro Tasmania on completion of another significant project. A great example of your boating registration fees at work.

 Source: Pontoon installed at Cramps Bay (ifs.tas.gov.au)

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 06 March 2021

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High water levels are expected at Lake Augusta until late March, which may temporarily block access to the Julian and Pillans Lakes area. This change in water level is to allow completion of works at Liawenee Canal. If you are visiting the area, the Pillans Lake Track may be inundated if Lake Augusta's water level is at or higher than 2.62 metres from full.

The Nineteen Lagoons area should still be accessible, unless Lake Augusta spills following high rainfall.

Before setting off, check the Lake Augusta water level, check the weather and stay safe.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 24 February 2021

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Could this be the last female carp from Lake Sorell?

At the start of spring it was estimated that there were less than five carp in the Lake Sorell. Intensive fishing started in late October, as the water warmed and carp are known to become more active. The Carp Management Program staff set an average of over 7km of gill net every day in Lake Sorell, targetting likely carp habitat. After 362 days with no carp captured it was looking like there may have been none left! But the persistence paid off and three carp were caught in Lake Sorell during the period of hot weather in January. This brought the total number of carp removed from Lake Sorell to 41 499.

The hot, sunny, settled weather in January saw the water temperature hovering around 19 degrees, perfect for carp movement. The first carp for the 2020/21 season was caught on the 11/1/21, the second on the 12/1/21, and the third on the 14/1/21. The carp were a small female, and two small males which were both affected with advanced stages of the jelly gonad condition, making them sterile.

Although the female had 230gm of eggs, they were completely intact and she had not spawned. All three carp were very small for their age (839 to 1400gm), given they are likely to be over 11 years old. Given there hasn't been a successful spawning for many years we think it is increasingly likely that the carp population is unable to breed. The last sexually mature male was caught on 16 December 2018.

The intensive fishing continued through to early February but no further carp were captured. Given the low catch rates and the water temperatures now dropping, Lake Sorell was re-opened to the public on 6 Feb 2021. There has been no sign of spawning again this season and juvenile surveys will be undertaken in coming weeks to confirm this.

Source: Carp almost gone! (ifs.tas.gov.au)

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 09 February 2021

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Lake Sorell will re-opened to the public from Saturday 6 February 2021.

This follows the temporary closure of the lake to allow additional fishing effort to further drive down the remaining carp population.

After more than 26 years of carp eradication work 41,499 carp have been removed from Lake Sorell and screens are being maintained to prevent carp from escaping the lake.

This season, only three carp were caught during the peak fishing period from October 2020 until the end of January 2021. It is estimated that there are few, if any, carp remaining in Lake Sorell.

It is increasingly likely that carp will be eradicated from the lake.

This re-opening of Lake Sorell is part of the successful progression of the Carp Management Program, the program will continue with some further periods of closure until full eradication is achieved.

The trout population has been reduced by the intense carp fishing effort, however stock levels are expected to rebuild naturally over the coming years, similar to Lake Crescent where anglers are now catching trophy trout.

Access is available from Dago Point and Mountain Creek sides of the lake. Access via Silver Plains remains closed.

Source: Lake Sorell to reopen (ifs.tas.gov.au)

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 08 February 2021

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