Inland Fisheries Service News
Four Springs Lake - Fisheries Performance Assessment
In response to falling catch rates and the need to investigate the success of recent trout stockings events at Four Springs Lake, the Service conducted a series of in-lake surveys during July and September 2012 and April 2013. The results of these surveys, in addition to a review of the postal questionnaire data and creel information collected during routine compliance activities, are presented in a Fisheries Performance Assessment Technical Report In reading the report it should be noted that the results are based on a small sample of fish captured over the three sampling events. In response to these results, the Service is planning to undertake further survey work. Prior to the commencement of the 2013/14 season a mark and recapture study is to be performed. This study will involve 2,000 adult brown trout that have been released into the lake from the Liawenee spawning run. A recapture survey will be undertaken in July to determine the proportion of transferred fin clipped fish, to non clipped resident brown trout and will enable the estimation of the overall trout population. This survey will also assist in determining the presence of the 50,000 juvenile triploid brown trout stocked in December 2012. The Service is committed to maintaining the quality of the trout fishery at Four Springs Lake, and will consider stocking and other options for ongoing management. The report indicates that the Four Springs fishery has the potential to produce trout in the 3-4kg range however current harvest levels appear to be limiting. With this potential in mind anglers are strongly encourage to consider limiting their take.
Lake Barrington to fall below its notification level of 119.42m
In advance of a major outage at the Paloona Power station Lake Barrington will be draw down to its normal minimum operating level of 116.59 m; this is 5.33 m below the full supply level of the lake. It is expected to reach this level on Monday 17th June and then should start to refill, rising above 119.42 m in around a weeks time from that date.
Regulation changes for the 2013/14 angling season
Several changes have been made this season to the rules and regulations governing the freshwater recreational fishery. An overview of these changes is outlined below. Anglers should check the relevant section of the 2013/14 Fishing Code for more detailed information. These changes include: the option of anglers purchasing a five season licence, defining artificial or manufactured baits as natural baits, allowing mechanical (petrol) outboards to be used for trolling at Lake Leake, the reopening of Lake King William to all year angling and the banning of fishing from the Craigbourne Dam wall. read more for full details.
Meadowbank Lake refilled as Hydro Tasmania's works are completed
Meadowbank Lake is once again open to angling. One of two lake fisheries open all year round in the south of the state, it has been off line for two months as a fishery whilst it was drained for works to be carried out by Hydro Tasmania. The current (7/6/2013) level is 0.6 metres below spill and rising. This brings the lake back to within the normal operating range an allows safe access to the lake and boat launching facilities.
MAST has recently completed the upgrade of the camping ground boat ramp on Lake Burbury
Taking advantage of the recent low level of the lake, the new 64 metre long ramp will aid the launching and retrieving of trailer boats down to a level of 7.00 metres below full supply. The single lane, 5.00 metre wide ramp will be a lot more user friendly now the undesirable “right hand turn” which occurred about half way down the old ramp has been removed. To achieve this and to ensure the new ramp was established on solid ground, required the alignment to be offset by 17 degrees from the access road. This is well above full supply level and will always be visible, so there will be no nasty surprises for users down the ramp as the lake level fluctuates. Lake Burbury open to angling all year round so now is a great time to use the new ramp and catch one of the hard fighting rainbow trout.
Brushy Lagoon stocked with salmon
Today (5 June 2013) the IFS stocked Brushy Lagoon with 230 Atlantic salmon. The fish were donated by Petuna Aquaculture and average four kilograms. This will be welcome news for those wishing to chase some big fish over winter. Please remember that there is a five fish daily bag limit with only two fish over 600 mm permitted to be taken. Note that Brushy Lagoon is open from one hour prior to sunrise and closes one hour after sunset (newspaper times for sunrise and sunset). Please note that IFS officers will be actively enforcing the regulations so that everyone can enjoy this opportunity.
Busy time as brown trout are stocked out into several key fisheries
As is usual for this time of year the IFS has been transferring brown trout from the spawning run at Liawenee to other waters throughout the state. The biggest transfers have been completed at Four Springs Lake (2,000 stripped and adipose clipped) and Bradys Lake (4,800) as well as smaller numbers into the Nineteen Lagoons waters and north west rivers, the Mersey River (300) and River Leven (300). There are still some fisheries that are to be completed such as Tooms Lake, Brushy Lagoon and Craigbourne Dam. Rain is needed to get a further run of fish at Great Lake and Arthurs Lake before more transfers can occur.
River Leven stocked with adult brown trout
Tuesday 4 June 2013 the IFS stocked 300 adult brown trout fresh from the spawning run at Liawenee into the River Leven. The fish were released at Bannons Park on the Gunns Plains Road. A good turnout of anglers witnessed the release. These fish have yet to spawn and could provide a boost to natural recruitment in the river. The River Leven like many other rivers throughout the state has been hit hard by the large number of cormorants that were present during the 2012/13 season.
Would you like to win this boat package?
Buy a full season or five season angling licence for the 2013 – 2014 angling season before the 30 November 2013 and you will go in the draw to win this boat package valued at over $22,000.* The boat, a 4.4 m Sea Jay Discovery is fitted with a 40 Hp Yamaha four stroke. Boat package proudly supported by Coastal Marine. Together with safety equipment consisting of two personal floatation devices, fire extinguisher, flare pack, bailer, paddles, anchor, rope & chain, boat registration and a boat licence course if required. Safety equipment kindly supplied by Marine and Safety Tasmania.
Heavy fine for whitebait poachers
Two men appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday 21 May 2013 and pleaded guilty to taking and possessing 2.65 kilograms of whitebait, and to using a non permitted net at the Tomahawk River during October 2012. The court heard that Inland Fisheries Officers apprehended the defendants at the Tomahawk River which is a closed water for the taking of whitebait at all times. The defendants received total fines, special penalties and costs of $3,570.60.
