Open Dates and Times

The Regulations Chart lists most of the lakes and lagoons in Tasmania and fishing rules. The Chart should be read in conjunction with the information listed in this section.  Only some of the waters in the Western Lakes (World Heritage Area and National Parks) are shown in the Chart. All other lakes in this area not specifically mentioned are restricted to artificial lures only and have a 4/8/07 to 27/4/08 season, except for designated rainbow waters in the Upper Mersey catchment which are opened between 29/9/07 to 1/6/08.

Rivers

Most rivers in Tasmania are open from 4/8/07 to 27/4/08 except for those listed as Waters closed or opened for specific periods or waters closed at all times to fishing.

Waters open all year

Craigbourne Dam, Great Lake (except Canal Bay), lakes Barrington, Burbury, Gordon, Pedder and Meadowbank, and Brushy Lagoon. 

Waters closed or opened for fishing for specific periods

Lake Crescent, Curries River Reservoir and Four Springs Lake are closed from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
Middle Myrtle Pond is closed between the hours of 9 pm and 8.30 am.

The canal from Bronte Lagoon to Bradys Lake between the control gates on the Bronte/Tarraleah Road (known as the whitewater) to where the water from the canal enters Bradys Lake is open from 3/11/07 to 30/3/08.

The canal from Pine Tier Dam to Bronte Lagoon between the bridge on the Marlborough Highway and the mouth of the canal where it enters Bronte Lagoon which is marked by 2 white posts set up on opposite banks of the canal is open from 3/11/07 to 30/3/08.

Dee Lagoon to Bradys Lake, from the mouth of the tunnel at Dee Lagoon to Bradys Lake (defined by 2 white posts on opposite points of the canal) is opened from 3/11/07 to 30/3/08.

Canal Bay at Great Lake is open from 1/12/07 to 30/3/08.

Mersey River above Lake Rowallan, above two white posts on opposite banks of the river is open from 3/11/07 to 27/4/08.

Derwent River between the Lyell Highway road bridge at Derwent Bridge and the Hydro Tasmania radial gate at Lake St Clair is open from 3/11/07 to 30/3/08.

Lakes Mackintosh and Rosebery are open from 4/8/07 to 1/6/08.

Waters closed at all times to fishing

All waters flowing into Lake Crescent, (including the canal connecting Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell). Lake Crescent is subject to closure at any time.

Waters flowing into Lake Sorell, and for a radius of 50 metres below where Dogs Head Creek, Silver Plains Creek and Mountain Creek flow into that lake.

Curries River Dam, within a 400 metre radius of the dam intake structure.

Lake Fenton and its tributaries.

Waters flowing into Great Lake, Lakes Leake, Arthurs, Kara, Rowallan (except Mersey River), Gordon and Pedder (except Holley, Pokana, Boyes, Gordon and Adams Rivers), Dee Lagoon and Lagoon of Islands, and for a radius of 50 metres below the point where that water flows into the above lakes and lagoons.

Penstock Lagoon Nos 1 and 2 Canals above two white posts on opposite banks of those canals.

Brushy Rivulet, flowing into Brushy Lagoon, and for a radius of 50 metres below where it flows into that lagoon.

McPartlans Canal between Lakes Pedder and Gordon.

St Marys Rivulet for 180 metres on either side of the Main Road Bridge in St Marys.

Falls River between Russell Falls and Tyenna River.

Sisters Creek between a white post about 100 metres below the bridge in Bird Land Nature Park and a second post about 100 metres above that bridge.

Waters within the Warrawee Forest Reserve, except the main channel of the Mersey River and Middle Myrtle Pond.
All ponds, raceways and fish culture ponds maintained by or operated under the consent of the Service. Fishing is also prohibited within 100 metres of a fish trap maintained by the Service.

Disabled waters

Coffee Creek, Middle Myrtle Pond, Risdon Brook Dam and the Plenty River adjacent to the Salmon Ponds, are set aside for disabled persons. To qualify to fish at a disabled water, you must hold a Transport Access Scheme Permit. A current angling licence is required and normal brown trout season dates apply.

Junior waters

Coffee Creek and Lake Waverly are reserved for junior anglers under 16 years of age provided they are accompanied by an adult. No adult may fish in a junior angling water.

Conditions imposed by other persons

Private owners, local councils or management authorities control access to some Tasmanian waters. You should check with the owner of private property before entering their land.

Except for a Registered Private Fishery, you need an angling licence to fish in all inland waters, even if you are fishing in a farm dam on private property. Only a private fishery registered by the Service can charge a fee to fish and make rules about how you can fish.