Regulations
Min size: 220 mm Bag limit: 20 Method: All methods (bait, lures and flies) Season: All Year
Latest stocking
| Date | Number | Species | Age | Weight (g) | Type | Stocked from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/07/2022 | 5 | Brown Trout | Adult | 926 | Diploid | Liawenee Canal, yingina/Great Lake | |
| View stocking history... | |||||||
Background
Lake Burbury is one of the largest hydro impoundments on the West Coast and is highly regarded by many anglers as on of the best angling destinations in Tasmania. Lake Burbury is within close proximity to the township of Queenstown.
Getting There
Travel to Queenstown via the A10. The A10 crosses the centre of Lake Burbury where access to the northern camping and launching areas are sign posted. Access to the camping area and boat ramp at the southern end of Lake Burbury is through Queenstown, travel south on the Mt. Jukes Road. All access roads are sealed.
Recreational Fish Management
Lake Burbury is managed as a Premium Wild Trout Fishery and is open to angling all year round. Prior to flooding, the Inland Fisheries Service stocked the lake heavily with both rainbow and brown trout to take advantage of the abundant food available as the water level rose. Both the rainbow and brown trout have acclimatised extremely well and the large number of spawning streams entering the lake has ensured natural recruitment maintains populations.
Angling Notes
Lake Burbury is primarily a boat fishing lake. It is subject to regular water level fluctuations and during periods of low water some shores are accessible to fish. Trolling is the most preferred method using flatfish, cobra wobblers or deep trolling lures of various colours and patterns and accounts for most fish caught. Lake Burbury can be most productive on days when the weather conditions are overcast or during rain periods. The lake contains a very large population of rainbow and brown trout, most range in weight between 500 grams and 2 kilograms with larger specimens sometimes caught. For the fly fisher Lake Burbury has some of the best wind lane fishing in Tasmania. Early in the morning, after a large midge hatch, it is not uncommon to encounter a wind lane abundant with surface feeding rainbow and brown trout. Small wet or dry flies placed in front of these fish can often produce results. When the fish are proving difficult a large dry fly pattern such as a royal coachman tied on a number 8 or 10 size hook can be effective.
Protect Waters
Recreational anglers have a responsibility to look after fisheries resources for the benefit of the environment and future generations. Do not bring live or dead fish, fish products, animals or aquatic plants into Tasmania. Do not bring any used fishing gear or any other freshwater recreational equipment that may be damp, wet or contain water into Tasmania. Check, Clean and dry your fishing equipment before entering Tasmania. Do not transfer any freshwater fish, frogs, tadpoles, invertebrates or plants between inland waters. Check your boat, trailer, waders and fishing gear for weed and other pests that should not be transferred before moving between waters. Do not use willow (which is a plant pest) as a rod support as it has the ability to propagate from a strike.
Native Fish Management
The climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis) and the spotted galaxias (Galaxias truttaceus) are found in the catchment and are probably present in low numbers at Lake Burbury.
Pest Fish Management
It is an offence to use fish or fish products for bait or to transfer fish between waters.
Recreational Use
A good concrete boat ramp is located at Thureau Hills (West of Bradshaws Bridge). A formal camping and caravan park and boat ramp are located on the eastern side of the bridge and boat launching and informal camping is available near the Darwin Dam at the southern end of the lake. Anglers are encouraged to bring portable toilets or be sure to walk at least 100 metres from the water, dig a 15-centimetre hole and bury waste including the toilet paper.
Boating
Please observe the no boating zones within 100 metres of the John Butters power station intake and between the signs and the Crotty Dam. Lake Burbury is exposed to extreme changes in weather and can become very rough. Hazardous conditions can occur at any time of the year with little warning. Practice minimal impact boating by accelerating gently in shallow water to avoid the underwater wash from the propeller jet stirring up silt and mud. This sediment clouds the water, disturbs sensitive weed beds, smothers aquatic plants and degrades fish habitat.
Remember
Check your wash - if it's white it's all right - if it's brown slow down. Fishing from a boat within 100 metres of an angler fishing from the shore is prohibited unless the boat is securely moored. Do not park on or obstruct boat ramps.
