Recently Atlantic salmon seems to be a very hot topic amongst local anglers, especially those in the south of the state in the D'Entrecasteaux area. Northern anglers should take a close look at the Tamar as there are opportunities here as well.
The recent "great escape" has provided a perfect opportunity for fresh and saltwater anglers alike to experience some truly memorable sport. Tasmania's pristine, clean and cool waters are the perfect nursery for the Atlantic Salmon and as our local fish farms produce more and more fresh quality seafood it is a fact that there are going to be tangible consequences.
In May – June 2019 3,500 adult brown trout were caught in the fish trap on the River Derwent at Lake King William. They were tagged with a numbered green tag, and released directly into Bradys Lake. During the 2019-20 season, a total of 95 of these trout were reported to the IFS as being caught by anglers. Of these fish, most were kept, with just 5 reported as being released.
As all tagged fish were transferred into Bradys Lake, we could look at where they moved to within the chain of lakes. Of the 95 tagged trout caught and reported by anglers, 27 were from Bradys Lake, 46 from Lake Binney and 22 from Tungatinah Lagoon. This indicates that 71% percent of these tagged fish had moved out of Bradys Lake, with 48% moving into Lake Binney and 23% travelling down into Tungatinah Lagoon. One fish was reported from the Bradys white water.
Read more: Anglers’ Report - Tagged fish from the Bradys Chain of Lakes
Waters managed for rainbow trout closed:
Dee Lagoon
Junction Lake
Lake Meston
Lake Rowallan
Lake Skinner
Lake Youd
Mersey River above Lake Rowallan
River Leven upstream of Loongana Road
Weld rivers (both North and South)
It was the end of the first year of the river season extension trial, closing:
Brumbys Creek downstream from Weir 1 to the Macquarie River (Note: the day use facilities are currently closed).
Macquarie River downstream from the junction with Brumbys Creek to the South Esk River.
Meander River downstream from Strath Bridge (on the C735) to the South Esk River
South Esk River downstream from the bridge on Storys Creek Road at Avoca to Beams Hollow upstream of Lake Trevallyn, delineated by a straight line between grid reference 506358E 5406426N and 506467E 5406414N.
And Lakes Mackintosh and Rosebery closed.
But it is not the end of fishing for the 2019-20 season. There are many waters open all year. You can find the full list on our website, along with information about fishing during the Roadmap to Recovery.
Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2020/jun/01/inland-waters-reached-end-their-2019-20-season
Check out this video of Norm Cribbin, an avid Tasmanian fly fisherman. When trout season closes Norm keeps his passion for trout fishing alive from home. He pulls out his gear, checks his lines, ties flies, and hops onto the IFS website to research waterways and keep up to date with trout transfers and stocking.
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Brown trout from this years spawning run at Liawenee |
Spawning brown trout have been running thick at Liawenee, despite COVID-19 restrictions forcing the cancellation of Trout Weekend 2020. With good rain and large flows being released from Lake Augusta, trout spawning conditions have never been better at Liawenee. These conditions have seen good numbers of brown trout running into the Liawenee fish trap.
Each year we weigh and measure 200 fish to assist in monitoring the fishery. This year the average weight is 804g and the average length was 415mm, with some fish reaching 1.4Kg. This is very similar to last year where the average weight was 795g and 412mm. The fish are in good condition.
We have been busy moving these fish to popular angling waters around the state. The fish that have been moved to greener pastures, are able to turn from ‘good’ condition to ‘great’ condition in the coming season. An up to date record of our fish transfer and stocking activities can be found here https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/fisheries/stocking/.
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Curries River Reservoir is located off the B82 road, between George Town and Bridport. The fishery serves anglers from the greater Launceston area. Over the years this water has produced variable fishing for both brown and rainbow trout. However, the fish are always of excellent size and condition.
During August 2019 we did a survey of Curries River Reservoir to assess;
- the number of brown and rainbow trout,
- - the size of the brown trout population,
- the length structure of the brown trout population and,
- the condition of all fish.
In summary, there were very low numbers of both brown and rainbow trout. However, the resident fish we did catch were in great condition.
Before the survey, 1 175 adult brown trout with their adipose fin clipped were released into the reservoir. These fish weighed around 721 g and were on average 420 mm long. By the 2020-21 season they should be approaching 1.2 kg. The fin clip enables to identify the released fish and estimate the size of the brown trout population.
As a consequence of the survey, we plan to boost fish numbers in Curries River Reservoir with stockings of brown and rainbow trout over winter 2020.
For the full results, read the Fisheries Performance Assessment Technical Report – Curries River Reservoir 2019.
During this Easter and school holiday period, recreational fishers should consider if going fishing is essential. The Tasmanian Government has a clear position that Tasmanians should stay home to save lives. If you are going fishing, please follow the latest advice on our website including: Can I go camping as part of my recreational fishing activity? How many people can I go fishing with? What procedures should I put in place when I go fishing? What will happen with my recreational scallop licence? The COVID-19 situation is changing daily, please check the Tasmanian Government coronavirus website regularly for any updated information. |
Recreational Fisheries Section, DPIPWE |
The Premier has announced that the recreational scallop season in Tasmania will remain closed as part of broader measures to protect Tasmanians during the current COVID-19 situation.
The season was originally scheduled to open this Saturday, 4 April.
As the scallop season can see thousands of fishers travelling to the East Coast, this decision is consistent with the Premier's goal to minimise non-essential travel.
DPIPWE Recreational Fisheries is working through the implications of this for recreational licence holders and will provide further information in the near future on our website and the Fisheries Tasmania Facebook page.
Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19 and following the Federal Government’s ban on outdoor gatherings of over 500 people, Trout Weekend 2020 will not be going ahead. The Inland Fisheries Service has reluctantly taken this measure, as this is an important event for anglers and the Central Highlands community alike.
The Trout Fishing Competition continues. This year the competition winners will be announced at a later date.
Trout Weekend will return over Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May in 2021 and we hope you will be able to join us once again at the Liawenee Field Station.
If you would like more information, please contact me via email or mobile listed below.
Kind Regards,
Steve Paterson
Manager – Compliance, Inland Fisheries Service (Tasmania)
17 Back River Rd
New Norfolk TAS 7140
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mob: 0438 338 530 Work: 03 6165 3808 http://www.ifs.tas.gov.au
How many Tasmanians go fishing each year and what do they catch?
Read more: Recreational fishing survey results released 2020
Safety Watch is a new service for Tas Maritime Radio members based on the ETAR System that we have been trialling.
If you use Safety Watch you will tell us when you expect to arrive at your destination or return to your starting point and then call us as you arrive or return.
If you are:
more than 20 minutes overdue: we will start to call you using radio and your mobile phone number.
more than 1 hour overdue: we will contact Tasmania Police who will then take whatever steps they feel necessary, possibly including mounting a search for your vessel.
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Christopher Bassano
Fishing guide Christopher Bassano explores his favourite fishing-and shares a few tips that will help you discover the world of trout near the sea.