Highland lakes For those that are interested in early season fishing further up on the Central Plateau a few infrastructure changes will make that early season trip a bit more user friendly. At Woods Lake there have been some major improvements to the boat launching facilities. The existing ramp has often been a difficult spot to launch due to its’ westerly facing direction, getting hit hard by westerly winds that cause waves to swamp small boats and generally make life difficult for the boater. The upgraded ramp with a sheltering break wall structure will make launching much easier and safer. This is a fishery that has become very popular since the road improvements in 2005. The road does still suffer from corrugations after a time but recently grading and vegetation clearance has occurred there and signs now advise of road conditions prior to embarking on the journey from Arthurs Lake. Woods Lake offers very good fishing especially in the first four months of the season, like Tooms Lake it can be a hard place to fish in the summer months because of the growth of aquatic weeds. Bronte Lagoon has likewise seen a revamp of its’ launching facilities. Boats can now be launched at the lagoon via a dual lane concrete ramp. This ramp is state of the art with an accessible floating pontoon between the two lanes allowing for boat passengers to board their boat with ease and safety at all water levels. Bronte Lagoon has fished well the last few seasons with catch rates averaging nearly two fish a day. Early season is the best time to fish the flooded margins for tailing fish but also offers lure fishers’ good prospects as well.
Rivers could reward Early season (August and September) fishing in Tasmania gives anglers the chance to take advantage of fuller lakes and swollen rivers and the trout activity associated with this. When lakes are filling over fresh ground and rivers are spilling onto the paddocks it is prime time to hunt for tailing trout. Tailing trout are the feature of some of the highland fisheries but they can be found at most inland waters given the right conditions. While the waters in the highlands are still suffering from winter chill with trout often sluggish and in less than optimal condition, many of the lowland waters are warmer and the trout more active in their feeding as well as having
The Meander River is a great early season water. It has a controlled flow from Huntsman Lake.
THE INCENTIVES TO GO TROUT FISHING IN TASMANIA ARE BIGGER THAN EVER. Big rains – lots of water The Tasmanian trout fishery is in peak condition after three seasons of good rainfall. Higher water levels and the persistent inundation of fresh ground have brought an abundance of aquatic life. Weed beds have regrown in previously dry areas, providing habitat for aquatic invertebrates and excellent foraging grounds for trout. This season is predicted to be one of the best in years.
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Huntsman Lake, a new fishery resulting from the construction of the Meander Dam in 2008, has a large population of wild brown trout. It’s already a popular fishery, being easily accessed from Devonport and Launceston, and it is now open all year round. Other all-year waters include Great Lake, Lake Barrington, Brushy Lagoon, Craigbourne Dam, Lake Burbury, Lake Pedder and Meadowbank Lake, along with the estuarine sections of the Leven, Tamar, Derwent and Huon rivers.
Big stretches of quality rivers Stretches of quality angling water found in several of Tassie’s renowned lowland rivers, which were previously difficult to access through private property, have now been opened up to anglers including the recently completed Tyenna River. These projects add to those already undertaken on the River Leven, Meander, Macquarie, Lake and North Esk rivers and Brumbys Creek, along with the Huon River in the south, since the River Access Program began in 2007.
Big numbers of wild fish Now in its fourth year of operation, the IFS modern hatchery is producing increased numbers of fry and fingerling stock from wild fish for stocking. These trout are being grown to larger sizes before their release, resulting in improved stocking effectiveness. This means better fishing in waters such as the Western Lakes,Penstock Lagoon, Lake Crescent and Four Springs Lake.
Big choice of fishing spots Another benefit of the increased rainfall has been a bigger range of attractive fishing options throughout Tasmania, particularly at places such as Lake King William, Lake Echo, Tooms Lake, Lake Leake and Lake Pedder. There will be plenty of un-crowded waters, banks and shores to choose from this season.
Big wild trout waters Premium wild trout fisheries in the Central Highlands such as Arthurs, Great and Woods lakes have benefited greatly from higher lake levels, and fishing there is only expected to improve. These are the most popular waters in the state, having large populations of wild trout and providing excellent fishing using all methods.
Big improvements to roads and ramps This year roads to Brushy Lagoon and Large Bay (Lake Echo) have been upgraded along with further work on the Woods Lake Road, incuding safety advisory signage. Boat ramp improvements have been completed at Great Lake, Four Springs Lake, Bronte Lagoon and Lake Mackintosh. Bronte Lagoon with its floating pontoon sets the standard for freshwater facilities. A rock break wall has been constructed at Woods Lake to provide protection from south-westerly winds. Carparks at Camerons Lagoon and Little Pine Lagoon have been upgraded.
Big rejuventation Following three years of good rain, previously droughtstricken waters in the south-east – Craigbourne Dam, Lake Leake, Lake Dulverton and Tooms Lake – refilled with water. They’ve been stocked intensively since, reinvigorating these fisheries and reclaiming their previous popular angling status. They’re well worth a visit early in the season when the weather in the highlands may be less favourable.
Big for family fishing Easy to catch adult domestic fish are stocked in lowland waters, particularly those promoted as popular regional fisheries. These include Lake Barrington in the north-west, Brushy Lagoon and Curries River Dam in the north, and Lake Meadowbank and Craigbourne Dam in the south. These stockings, particularly the periodic stocking of trophy size Atlantic salmon in some of these waters, will continue throughout the season.
For more information or to buy a 2012-13 Tasmanian angling licence visit www.ifs.tas.gov.au or discovertasmania.com
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Fishing News - Page 9