Fishing - Welcome wet weather enhances angling

The good weather continues to offer opportunities for anglers, especially those targeting trout before the season's end.

The first drops of Autumn rain fell, filling streams and rivers, which for many people was the first time in months.

This is a sign that doesn't go unnoticed by trout, a sign that it's becoming safer to move, breathe, feed and breed.

Trout anglers are already reporting slightly better results from shallower waters like Lake Leake, Toom's Lake, Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell.

Lake Crescent's water level is low, so low that there isn't enough water in the canal for boats to reach the main lake.

Until water levels rise, boat owners are advised to go elsewhere, but all is not lost.

Shore-based anglers here and at Lake Sorell now have more areas to fish, whereas when the waters are up, shore-based fishing is limited.

Other waters mentioned this week include Bronte, Penstock, and Little Pine Lagoon; Woods & Arthurs Lake; Lake Echo; the Dee Lagoon; and Brady's Chain of Lake Binney, Brady's Lake, and Tungatinah Lagoon.

Lake Mackintosh, Lake Rosebury, Lake Pieman and Lake Burbury in the North, as well as Lake Plimsoll, for Brook trout.

Huntsman Lake's water level is -11.5 m, so the use of larger boats is not recommended until water levels improve.
The Inland Fisheries Service has released statistics on the recovery of our trout populations following cormorant predation.

In 2025, the IFS assessed some of our rivers/streams and found out that populations had suffered, but more so in the North East & West.

In response, the most affected rivers/streams were stocked with 370,000 trout fry, and during February 2026, the areas were then reassessed.

At 16 sites, after 18 months using backpack electro-fishing equipment, the IFS fished a 100-metre section of each river or creek for three consecutive runs.

As a result, trout numbers improved at most sites despite the lower water levels.

A few sites had juvenile trout, most likely from previous fry stockings.

Several native species were also observed, including river blackfish, galaxias, eels, lamprey, and giant freshwater crayfish.

A detailed report is being prepared, which will be available to the public in the future.
Fishing in the recent St Helens Game fishing Classic was tough going, but youngster Sam Barnes caught a great Striped Marlin on the boat Moto Moto to take the highest point score for a Junior and the heaviest gamefish overall for the competition.

The crew had 2 strikes early, with the second fish staying hooked, which was the winner, weighing 76kg cleaned.

The runner-up in the heaviest fish category went to Ben Darby Jones with a great Yellowfin Tuna weighing 60.4 kg.

Another solid Yellowfin Tuna was caught by the crew of Seismic Fishing last weekend, along with Swordfish.

Numerous Swordfish and Marlin have been hooked, lost, and landed, and, following on from last week's report of a swordfish slashing another angler, Leo Miller was lucky, also copping a decent cut to the forehead from a slashing 90 kg sword last week.  
Tip Of The Week- Fishing line is a risk to animals like the Platypus, which is an endangered native protected species.

Take all your excess fishing line home with you, and do the same with any other line that you see lying around.    
Send in your fishing reports, pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com.
Tight Lines until next week.