Fishing - Season opening with trout fever

Tagged fish and top picks for opening weekend

The wait is over — the 2025–26 Tasmanian brown trout fishing season opens this Saturday morning.

This weekend is unlike any other on the freshwater fishing calendar, with many anglers comparing the anticipation to Christmas morning. The most common questions in the lead-up are: where should we go, and what will the weather be like?

Forecasts suggest cold conditions, but recent rain has raised water levels — a promising sign.

Inland Fisheries has again stocked several waters with $5000 tagged trout. A total of 30 tagged fish are in 13 locations statewide. All carry yellow tags — check every fish you catch. Stocked waters and tag counts are:

• Lake Mackintosh (3), Lake Rowallan (3), Lake Burbury (3), Huntsman Lake (2),
• South Riana Lake (1), Curries River Reservoir (1), Lake Leake (1), Yingina / Great Lake (3),
• Bradys Lake (4), Arthurs Lake (2), Lake Sorell (3), Craigbourne Lake (2), Derwent River (2).

The first tagged fish caught from Great Lake this season is worth $25,000. All tagged trout must be kept with tag intact for verification.

Call Inland Fisheries on 1300 463 474 (9 am–5 pm weekdays), or email infish@ifs.tas.gov.au with your name, contact details, tag number, location of catch, and fish length.

Where to fish in the south

Besides the tagged waters, Bronte Lagoon and Pine Tier Lagoon are strong picks. The latter is spilling, causing Bronte to rise.

The Bradys–Binney–Tungatinah system has recently been stocked with 4800 rainbow and 2184 wild adult brown trout.

Woods Lake is rising slowly and produces excellent early-season results for bait, lure and fly anglers.

Tributaries in the lower Derwent catchment — such as the Tyenna, Styx and Plenty rivers — should fish well thanks to increased flows. Use weighted soft plastics to get down quickly in fast water where big trout often hold.

The Derwent itself is already firing, particularly between Old Beach and New Norfolk. Soft plastics, hardbodies, and baits such as worms, grubs, gudgeon and galaxia are all good options.

The Huon River and its tributaries — Mountain River, Little Denison, Russell and Weld — should see more activity after the rain.

Northern and Western picks

In Launceston, try the Tamar Estuary and Tamar Tailrace for early-season sea trout. Other northern rivers worth visiting include the Mersey, North and South Esk, St Patricks, Meander, Leven, Forth, Brumby’s Creek and the Macquarie.

The West Coast’s trophy waters — the Pieman, Arthur, Gordon and Henty rivers — are also a draw.

Brook trout fisheries such as Clarence Lagoon, Lake Plimsoll and Lake Selina are great options in the early, colder months.

Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell fish better as temperatures rise and continue to offer fat, healthy trout. Lake Gordon is underfished and deserves attention as spring approaches. Lake Echo is rising and should also come into form.

Other popular spots include Four Springs Lake (well stocked), Brushy Lagoon, Tooms Lake and Lake Leake.

Early in the season, target estuaries, rivers and tributaries — especially for sea trout — while water levels are high and cold. Shift to lakes later in spring as things warm up.

Tasmania’s diverse trout waters offer opportunities for all kinds of anglers across the whole season.

Choose wisely, be prepared for all conditions, and you’re bound to find success.

Clubs ready for opening comp

Angling clubs across the state are gearing up for another year of competitive fishing.

The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association will kick off its season with an opening competition on the Derwent River. The river has fished quietly in recent weeks, but conditions are expected to improve by Saturday.

The competition starts at 12 am on Saturday, August 2, with weigh-in and BBQ at the rotunda on the New Norfolk Esplanade from 3 pm to 3.30 pm Sunday, August 3.

Fishing boundaries are from the Lawitta Pump Station to the Tasman Bridge.

Competitors must be financial members before the event. Memberships are available online via the NNLAA Facebook page, at Williams Outdoors (High Street, New Norfolk) or by contacting the committee.

The popular Derwent River Interclub Challenge will be held later this month — details coming soon.

Tip of the Week

Some anglers spend too much time walking and not enough time fishing. They try 50 spots quickly rather than working 10 spots thoroughly. Slow down, spend more time in fewer spots, and you might catch the fish you're after.

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

Tight lines until next week.