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.
Please check all relevant authorities before fishing - www.ifs.tas.gov.au and dpipwe.tas.gov.au . Don't forget issuu.com/stevenspublishing for years of back issues !
My first couple of days (3rd & 5th August) of the 2019/20 trout season started like this... With the 2019/20 Trout Season well under way I have had a couple of trips to check out a few waters around the place. I haven't really got myself fired up enough to put a lot of time into chasing the trout yet due to the very low water temps in the rivers & streams due to snow melt. I reckon it's just an age thing, being 73 years of age I don't feel the need to push myself too early in the season, besides it's too damn cold anyway. So what I've done over the past couple of days is just hop in a river & stream (that weren't running too high) here and there for twenty to forty minutes and test out my new Okuma Celilo 6'6'' & 6' ULS 1-3kg trout rods, Okuma Helios SX 20 reels and give the Platypus lines & Mepps fluo lures a short workout for when I do get serious. I'll tell you now, the Okuma gear I used is the perfect trout set up, beautifully balanced & light weight which is perfect for trout fishing, the Helios SX20 reel runs nice & smooth and is a pleasure to use. The water temp in the rivers I've had a practice sessions in has been in the 2 - 3 degree range and I can tell you now, it was bloody freezing, hence the short time I spent in them.. I did manage a couple of hook ups on a Mepps #0 Aglia fluo tiger spinner in a small creek but lost both fish. After the three month lay off each trip helps me to hone up my casting skills and gets me a little fitter after my hibernation period. I'll start to get into it over the coming weeks once the days slowly get warmer and hopefully the snow will have eased off. Last season I only had four trips to the rivers in August with just 15 trout caught & released, then in September I had five trips for 21 trout caught & released. Hopefully it won't be all that long before I have my first trout of the 2019/20 trout season in the net.
Please follow these links for the Quamby Open Day POSTER and INFORMATION
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.
Today being the last day of the trout season saw me heading off to try another piece of tannin water in the middle of the bush and yes it did require a little bush bashing to reach it. As tough as it was getting to that small tannin water it was well worth it because I was sheltered from the gusty wind that was still blowing. As I reached the water I could see it will be a pretty tough spin session, the water was very shallow, this meant I was having to go into stealth mode.
Like most mornings lately I was in two minds whether to go chasing trout today mainly because it was cold, wet and blowing a gale. With just two days left of the 2018/19 trout season left I really wanted to go but the weather was holding me back. In the end it got the better of me and I headed of to try a tannin stream, one I've never fished before but one I've always thought about trying. Thirty minutes after leaving home.
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;
The morning was a low three degrees as I was heading to the upper reaches of the Mersey River, then I had a change of mind and decided to head to the small tannin stream I fished several days go. On my arrival I found the water level was the same as the last trip (a little on the low side) so I thought I would be in for another tough time fishing here. This trip I thought I'd start the session using a copper blade #00 Mepps Aglia Mouche Noire to see how it would go on the trout in the tannin water, not that the copper colour would be a problem as it's worked well before in tannin waters.
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
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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.
and an art worth your learning.."
Presented from Issue 112, October 2014
So said Izaak Walton in the 1600s. It seems that Burnie’s Hannah Ledger has combined angling with art rather well. Hannah is a fish fanatic, outdoor enthusiast and budding, self-taught artist. From as young as she can remember, she has always had crayon in hand, colouring book under arm and as she’s grown as a painter, jars full of paintbrushes and cupboards full of ready-to-go blank canvas’.
A country girl at heart, Hannah was schooled at Yolla District High School, a small ‘farm’ school in the states North West, then went on to Hellyer College where she was given the opportunity to really grow her art skills; And by grow, that meant skipping the classes that would probably have more an impact of getting her somewhere in life, like English and Math to spend every spare minute with the art teacher, painting or drawing.
As typical teenagers do, they make poor decisions- and after being accepted in to one of the countries top art schools, turned down the offer and decided to move to the big island, where she lived for 5 years working in what seemed ‘dead end’ retail.
Read more ...