Fishing Methods

Legal fishing methods are set out below. All other methods are illegal.

Rods and lines
You can only fish using one rod and line at a time, unless you have paid the additional angling licence fee to use two rods, or if you are fishing for bream in specified waters. (Note - Middle Myrtle Pond and bait fishing in lakes Mackenzie and Augusta are restricted to one rod and line only, irrespective of whether you have paid for a second rod).
When you are fishing, you cannot look after another person's rod and line when they are absent. Nor can you use a set rod unless you are within 8 metres of the set rod and able to see it clearly at all times.
On a single line you cannot have more than 2 lures OR 2 baits OR more than1 lure and 1 bait OR more than 3 artificial flies.

Bait fishing in most inland waters
Bait fishing is permitted in inland waters shown as All methods in the Chart on pages Regulations Chart and in most rivers (except in a National Park or the World Heritage Area). You are breaking the law if you bait fish or possess bait at any other water. The penalty can be as high as $10 000. The use of fish, or fish product for bait is not allowed in non-tidal inland waters in Tasmania. The use of mudeyes is permitted at bait fishing waters with the exception of lakes Augusta and Mackenzie. The use of frogs is totally prohibited. The use of ground bait or berley is illegal.

Bait fishing in estuarine waters
Bait fishing is permitted in estuarine waters (tidal waters) where you can use fish or fish products as bait as well as local Tasmanian animals, provided they are not a protected species.
From a week before the opening of the "brown trout season" till the end of the season you can catch live bait in tidal waters either with a bush pole or with a seine net when the net is used only to catch bait. The net must be less than 6 metres long and 1 metre deep, and have a mesh between 12 and 30 mm. You should also check marine regulations.

Artificial lures, flies and other methods
Artificial lures are only allowed in waters shown as Artificial lures or All methods in the Regulations Chart. Any person using or possessing natural bait at a water listed as Artificial lures is breaking the law.
Artificial flies are allowed in all waters open to fishing. Any person using or possessing bait, or using lures in a water listed as Fly fishing only, is breaking the law. Fishing in Fly fishing only waters must be carried out in accordance with normal fly fishing customs and generally accepted practices. 

Strike indicators
You may only use a purpose-built strike indicator or one made from natural products like wood, to warn of movement in the rod and line. Bottles, jars, cans or similar objects made of plastic, glass, aluminium or any other metal are not permitted, as they create a serious litter problem.