by Sarah Graham
Many anglers are preparing for the opening of the new angling season on Saturday 7 August and it's shaping up to be another good one with the fishery in excellent health as a result of last year’s drought breaking rains. There are many great fishing locations around the State from which to choose for the opening weekend and early season fishing but here are a few suggestions.
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Source and further information: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/sustainable-fisheries-management/Biotoxin-Fishery-Events
Results of rock lobster taken from the Upper East Biotoxin Zone (around St Helens) sampled on 14 December 2015 have returned biotoxin levels that will enable the fishery in that zone to open.
The area to open is the Upper East Biotoxin Zone, south of a line at Red Rocks at 41° 01’ South and north of a line at Picaninny Point at 41° 40’ South – please see map.
This area opens on Sunday 20 December 2015 at 00.01 hrs to the taking of rock lobster. Pots may be set in the area from 13:00 hrs (i.e. 1 p.m.) Saturday 19 December 2015, however, pots cannot be hauled or lobster taken until Sunday 00:01 hours (i.e. Sunday morning).
Source and further information: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/sustainable-fisheries-management/Biotoxin-Fishery-Events
Results of rock lobster taken from the Lower East Coast biotoxin zone sampled on 9 December 2015 have returned biotoxin levels that will enable the fishery in that zone to open.
The area to open is the Lower East Coast Biotoxin Zone, south of a line at Marion Bay at 42° 49’ South to Tasman Island, connecting with the area already opened in Storm Bay – please see the map below.
This area opens on Saturday, 19 December 2015 at 00.01 hrs to the taking of rock lobster. Pots may be set in the area from 13:00 hrs (1 p.m.) Friday 18 December 2015, however, pots cannot be hauled or lobster taken until Saturday 00:01 hours (Saturday morning).
The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the peak national body representing Australia’s recreational fishing community has expressed disappointment and concern that the Geelong Star operators have not heeded advice from ARFF or honoured undertakings made at a meeting with the Government, Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), ARFF and the vessel operators before Christmas.
Read more: Geelong Star Operators Renege On Talk Outcome 2016 01 08
by Mike Stevens (The Complete List)
The top ten most popular still water fisheries in 2011-12 (in descending order) were Arthurs Lake, Great Lake, Woods Lake, Little Pine Lagoon, Craigbourne Dam, Penstock Lagoon, Four Springs Lake, Lake Barrington, Bronte Lagoon and Bradys Lake. The most popular rivers were the River Derwent, South Esk, Brumbys Creek, Mersey River, Meander River, Macquarie River, River Leven, Tyenna River, Huon River, and St Patricks River.
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.
A premium protected estuary situated on the Duck River at Smithton. Some years ago this bay was netted regularly, both commercially and recreationally. That is now in the past and the fishing has improved enormously. Australian salmon, flathead, silver trevally and big King George whiting are regulars on bait and lures, soft plastic lures being especially popular.
Only twenty five minutes from Launceston is Four Springs Lake. This small, easily accessed lake was the dream of a group of anglers. The dream was to have a premium fishery in natural surroundings, close to Launceston, with a good head of large fish.
Everything that was desired was achieved and the confluence of four creeks was dammed in the 1990s and a new fishery was born.
This is Tasmania's premium stillwater trout fishery. Open from August until May it is open to all trout angling methods including bait, lure and fly fishing.
Access is easy and Arthurs is situated about one hour from Launceston and about 1½ from Devonport and Hobart.
There are three good boat ramps at Jonah Bay, Pumphouse Bay and the Dam wall. As the level only varies a couple of metres all ramps are usually easily used.
Arthurs only contains brown trout and the average weight would be a little under one kilogram. Fish to two kilograms are often caught and bigger specimens to five kilograms feature annually.
Although not a single location the east coast rivers of Tasmania offer perhaps the best bream fishing in Australia. From below Hobart to Musselroe all river have healthy populations of black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri).
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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.