Fishing - Hopes for better angling in 2026

The end of any year offers the time to rest, reflect and refocus after what for many was a tough year for fishing in 2025.

We all hope that 2026 will offer bigger and better rewards.

Along with the arrival of a new year, new life goals and those of the angling variety are also often set.

Goals of the fishing kind could include catching your biggest trout or your first bucket list type of fish on a trip abroad, interstate or from unfished areas here at home.

We're lucky to have plenty of species and places to fish here in Tasmania, and the end-of-year holidays saw us finally get some mild and windless weather.

This allowed both fresh and saltwater anglers to enjoy some fishing and "food gathering" time with family and friends.

Lobster or "Crayfish" anglers have reported some good catches, whether from set pots or from diving.

But reports also suggest that pots have gone missing or have been accessed whilst set.

Bread-and-butter fish like flathead, squid, and whiting graced many plates, with good catches also of sportfish like Australian Salmon, Silver Trevally, Tailor, Mackerel, and Black Bream coming from most bays and estuaries statewide.

For reference, Black Bream are a super slow-growing species, and there are many better table fish out there to eat, so it's always a better practice to catch and release these hard-fighting fish.

Saying that, Black Bream are definitely worth targeting and for any novice looking to catch them - bait fishing will get you results.

One of the best baits that big Black Bream can't resist is crabs, which can be easily found under rocks closer to the sea.

Bream will readily take prawns, mussels, and all bait fish, fresh or frozen.

Anglers fishing deeper water have reported an increase in Mako Shark activity, and bait anglers have mentioned good catches of Striped Trumpeter, Pink Ling, Jackass Morwong and the odd Blue Eye Trevalla.

Freshwater anglers chasing trout have enjoyed better fishing as well, with the Great Lakes the standout water, offering some great-conditioned Rainbow and Brown Trout.

The best tactic has been trolling and lure casting.

The trout's condition is continuing to improve, which is great to hear. Lake Echo, the Dee Lagoon, Lake King William, Bronte Lagoon, and the Brady's Chain are also waters worth a visit, as is Lake Leake, Toom's Lake, Lake Pedder, and Lake Gordon, which is seeing its highest water level in some years.

Fly anglers are being rewarded with healthy trout from Penstock and Little Pine Lagoon, as well as 19 Lagoons of the Western Lakes.

Lake Burbury, Talbots Lagoon, Camden Dam, Pieman Lake, Lake Mackintosh and Lake Rosebury are also worth the time.

Lake Sorell has been quiet, but have faith because it holds some good trout.

The same can be said for Lake Crescent, although water levels are lower here than they have been in the past few seasons.

The upper reaches of the Derwent and Huon Rivers have also given up trout up to 3.5 kg, which is encouraging for those who target these areas.

The Inland Fisheries Service is hosting a freshwater angling forum in Miena at the Great Lake Community Centre on the 23rd of January 2026 from 4pm to 7pm.

The forum is an opportunity to chat about anything trout fishing-related in Tasmania, hear about the work being done by the IFS and have any questions answered.

After the forum, people will have a chance to meet and chat with the IFS staff and representatives of the Anglers Alliance Tasmania.

There is no cost to attend the forum, but tickets must be purchased on the IFS website.

Tip Of The Week- Butlers Gorge Road has been temporarily reopened, allowing access to Clark Dam and Lake King William.

The road is expected to stay open until early February, with the Lake King Williams campground also expected to reopen in February.  

Send in your fishing reports, pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com.

Tight Lines until next week.