What a fantastic start to the 2016-17 trout fishing season! The weather was magnificent.  Both Saturday and Sunday were calm and sunny right across Tasmania. Our Officers were busy this weekend.  We checked 549 licenses across 33 waters. It was great to see so many anglers trying their luck and enjoying the company of family and friends. Some fantastic catches were taken, making the upcoming season quite exciting for all.

We were pleased to see good compliance with Inland Fisheries and Marine and Safety Tasmania regulations. Out of the 549 anglers checked three were found to be fishing without a licence, one was found using a bottle as a strike indicator and three people were found not wearing a PFD while motoring on a boat and using a kayak.

For how the waters fished, here's a bit of a round-the-state wrap up;

Tooms Lake

The fish at Tooms Lake averaged around 1.3 to 1.8kg.  The largest was a whopping 3kg brown trout monster!  Most of these fish were caught on lures, with bait and fly also successful. This fishery should be moved to near the top of your ‘must visit’ waters this season.

Wood Lake

In the highlands early mornings were very icy but these conditions soon gave way to beautiful sunny days.  Quality brown trout were taken from Woods Lake, averaging 1.3 to 1.8kg. Trolling appeared to be the best method.

Penstock Lagoon

Fly fishermen did extremely well on Penstock Lagoon.  Many anglers caught their bag limit. We noticed that the fish stocked into this water over the last two years are in excellent condition.

The River Derwent

The River Derwent also fished extremely well. Many quality fish were weighed in at New Norfolk. The best was a 3kg brown. Again lures were most successful, but bait and fly anglers also did well. It was pleasing to see anglers using the new River Derwent Anglers Access infrastructure.  At least one angler was seen at nearly every site.

Hydro lakes

Hydro lakes did not receive a lot of attention but when we visited we saw some good fishing. One angler on Cluny Lagoon had 10 brown trout.  Another at Lake Repulse had nine. Three anglers at Wayatinah Lagoon caught 10 fish between them including nine brown trout and an Atlantic salmon.

Mersey River

The Mersey River between Kimberley and Latrobe was outstanding. Many trout were taken by bait and lure fishers.  The weight range was 0.5 to 1.8kg It is good to see the recent floods have not affected the quality of the fishing. Please keep in mind that due to flood damage some Anglers Access sites are currently closed. Up to date information can be found in our Anglers Access brochure and on the Mersey Anglers Access map of closed areas.

South Riana Dam

The new South Riana Dam Anglers Access was officially opened on Saturday morning by Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff.  This was met by great excitement from anglers. We met one junior angler that had caught a fantastic 2.5kg brown trout before 10am. There was also a 3kg fish caught later in the day. This water will be well worth visiting this season.  Catch rates might not be that high but the size of the fish will be something to behold!

Lake Kara

After being stocked with Atlantic salmon last week, Lake Kara was extremely busy.  We inspected 47 anglers before 9am! We saw a good many Atlantic salmon caught in this time.

Four Springs Lake

As always, Four Springs Lake was very busy on Saturday. Fly anglers out in boats seemed to do the best, although the bait and lure anglers were also successful. Catch rates for the day worked out to be roughly one fish per 2 hours of fishing time across all methods. The fish were in excellent condition averaging around 1.3kg

Junior angling

Devonport Anglers Club held their junior presentation day at Taylors Dam in Latrobe on Saturday. Young Anglers Development Incorporated held their junior angling day at Frombergs Dam in Ulverstone on Sunday. Both of these events were well attended and it was great to see tomorrows master fishermen learning their trade! Congratulations to the clubs, their volunteers and sponsors that do so much to provide angling opportunities for our juniors.

All in all, it was a great opening weekend and we hope you have a successful 2016-17 season.