With the 2026-27 trout season starting on 1 August 2026, over the next two weeks we will be featuring some of the best fishing locations around the regions for the start of the season - kicking off with the north-west!

There are plenty of waters on the north-west coast offering excellent opportunities to catch your first trout of the season.

South Riana Lake has been the opening morning standout for the past few seasons. Early-season brown trout catches have been impressive, with many fish weighing between 1–2 kg. This winter, a further 600 wild brown trout, averaging 0.85 kg, were released into the lake. Traditional set-rod fishing with worms, as well as soft plastics and hard-bodied lures, have all proven successful on opening morning. South Riana Lake also features in the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion, with a $5,000 tagged trout up for grabs.

Pet Reservoir, located on Burnie’s doorstep, offers excellent open-bank access suitable for all angling methods. Over winter, our stocking team released 1,400 rainbow trout into the dam, providing anglers with plenty of opportunity this season.

For anglers willing to travel a little further, Talbots Lagoon is another excellent option. Last season Talbots produced some outstanding rainbow trout catches over opening weekend for those prepared to brave the winter conditions. Soft plastics, wet flies, and hard-bodied lures all proved effective.

Lake Kara is also worth considering. We recently stocked the lake with an additional 1,000 rainbow trout. Always a popular destination on opening weekend, the dam wall provides excellent opportunities for both set-rod fishing and lure casting.

In the Circular Head area, Lake Mikany is an excellent water to kick off your season. Open to all methods of angling, plentiful brown trout and the odd rainbow exist in this water. Open shoreline along the dam wall provides ample opportunity for set rod fishing and lure casting. Fishing from a boat or kayak is also a great option with good launching facilities available, however petrol motors are not permitted.

The region’s rivers also offer good prospects. If there has been significant recent rainfall, fishing the flooded margins can be particularly productive. Backwaters where small streams and drains enter the main river system are excellent locations for worm fishing using a set rod. In the absence of significant rainfall, the tidal reaches can produce quality sea-run trout from the very first weekend of the season and continue to do so until summer. For further information check out the River Leven and Mersey River anglers access brochures.

Several farm dams also provide excellent fishing opportunities, including those listed online and Lamberts Dam at Railton. Please note that access to some farm dams requires permission from the landowner - check online for access information before visiting. These waters consistently produce high-quality brown trout and are at their best during the early part of the season.

Interested in recent stockings?

To view recent fish stockings for the north-west region visit the IFS website or download the free Infish App.

Get Ready—Act Now!

Don’t miss opening day. Purchase or renew your licence today:

Visit Service Tasmania, your local tackle store, or go to the IFS website. 

Gear up, get licensed, and get fishing—we’ll see you on the water this season!