Tasmanian Fishing Report - Trout Opening Special 24/25
A Sorell bruiser from late last season.
Trout Season 2024-25
Brown Trout Opening Season Starts this weekend, and with water levels rising over the last few weeks so are the chances of catching a trout or 2.
Freshwater
Echo
Lake Echo is known for its consistent brown trout fishing with the odd rainbow thrown in the mix. Echo fished extremely well last season especially early and there is no reason for it to not continue the same this season. Water is usually always clear in echo so natural Galaxia looking lures and soft plastics work best around the shores. The lake is also famous for trolling with Tassie devils on lead line or deep diving RMG/Stumpjumper lures trolled along the front of the trees being extremely effective. Echo is easily accessible top and bottom with some great bays to find shelter if the weather is a bit grim.
Great Lake
Great lake is a very popular option for those wanting a more relaxed casual day. Fishing from all shores (especially those with a bit of onshore breeze) can be productive with some lovely brown trout found throughout the lake. The great lake hotel is close by for those who want to defrost after a couple of hours fishing with a hot coffee or hot lunch.
Bronte
Although Bronte gets a large amount of fishing pressure for opening weekend it tends to still produce good numbers of fish both browns and rainbows. Lure and Fly are usually very productive with people opting for shallower running minnows like Daiwa Pressos due to Bronte being fairly shallow and weedy.
Brady s/Binney/Tungatinah
Brady’s chain is a great option for the shore-based angler, although boating is very good also the many options and easy access for shore-based anglers makes this a great option for those on foot. Camping options are also endless here with many options close to the lake edge for those wishing to do some worm fishing while sitting around camp. All 3 lakes offer great fishing with some very healthy rainbows been caught in recent weeks.
Woods Lake
Is another popular opening spot destination with the lake having great camping and fishing and being in a gully often some good shelter from certain weather patterns. Woods struggled a bit last season with algae blooms and low catch rates but hopefully with a cold winter and a bit of a top up it will return to its former glory this season as one of the best options for reliably catching a trout.
Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell
Both lakes fished well last season. The Average size of trout in both lakes seems to be consistently way larger than any other trout fishery in Tas but as a result your catch rate is usually a bit lower. Both lakes have filled quite nicely recently but water clarity is still very poor. Dark red lures like Daiwa’s Silver Creek Sockeye colour work very well in the discolored water.
Arthurs Lake
A popular destination with excellent brown trout fishing opportunities. The lake is large with various fishing hotspots from shallow sight fishing up the top end around 7-pound bay to deeper structure fishing around the backside on the island with plastics Arthurs offers a bit of everything. The water level still remains sadly a bit low which limits a lot of the better shore options so if you have the option of taking the boat I would recommend it. Fly and lure are both great options early with yellow rabbit flies being a long-time opening weekend favourite and MWs in Galaxia also working well.
Little Pine Lagoon
A favorite with many fly anglers, good numbers of fish can normally be found along the back shore of pine early especially with the high-water level. The last few years size has been extremely small/lean in here but numbers of fish have been high and the fish fairly aggressive. Sparklers and Hollywood’s are great opening flies for searching if the weather is poor while a simple red tag is a great option if the weather is calm/warm enough to see tailers.
Penstock Lagoon
Is a favorite among many fly anglers all season and opening weekend is no different. The size and quality of the fish in here is outstanding with fat healthy fish 3-5lb the most common and bigger fish not unheard of. Bitch style flies fished deep is the preferred method early with Airflo Sixth sense lines really upping the catch rate.
Derwent Estuary
For people wanting to fish a bit closed to home the Derwent is always a good opening weekend option and may possibly be the best option this year with lots of reports of good healthy sea runners and residents been seen and caught throughout the river.
Please don’t forget to send in your pictures so we can share your fantastic catches to info@spotonfishinghobart.com.au
Trout Licenses
Now Available
You can now buy our renew your license in store at Spot On Hobart or online.
This season, if you are aged between 18 and 21 years of age, you can benefit from a heavily discounted licence as part of the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) Young Angler Licence Promotion.
Junior anglers aged between 14 and 17 years of age require a licence to fish Tasmania’s inland lakes and rivers for trout, and the good news is that the Tasmania government has made a commitment to ensure that junior licences will continue to be free for a least the next three seasons!
Junior anglers under 14 years of age do not require an angling licence.
New licences, or licence renewals, can be obtained by visiting Service Tasmania, various fishing tackle stores, or from the IFS website: www.ifs.tas.gov.au
Saltwater
Bream – continue to fire throughout the Derwent and east coast estuaries with fish being found in large schools.
Squid – calamari are good anywhere you can find clean water with the size being pretty good at the moment.
Sand Whiting – reports of lots of sand whiting throughout the channel. The average size of these is fairly small but it is one of the tastiest fish you can catch.
Bluefin Tuna – Bluefin continue to be caught at eagle hawk and down south around Pedra but have slowed down a lot over the last week.
Striped Trumpeter- are a good option if you can get a calm day with some nice fish moving inshore.
New Gear
New Sinking Fly Lines
All new Airflo Sixth sense 2 sinking fly line in store now.
Smith Optics Sunglasses
Chromapop™ Glass Polarchromic is the first lens that combines all of Smith’s premium lens technologies. They provide hyper-tuned colors and crystal clear definition while reducing water glare and provides all day adaptability, keeping your eyes on the prize. Available now.
IFS InFish App
Dont’ forget you can also use the Infish mobile app while you are on the go, and to record your catch using the Angler Diary feature.
Recent Photos
Adrian Dalla Fontana caught this belter of a rainbow at Great Lake recently.
A few shots from Jonah’s last tuna trip at Eaglehawk Neck in mid July, fishing with Sam Nichols and Craig Burgess. Lots of school fish in the 12-15kg size range. Black Magic Flea XT in Dr Evil accounted for a few, as well as some new Black Magic Tackle skirts in 8 and 11inch sizes which will hopefully be released soon!
