The Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion 2024-27 has produced its fifth winning fish of the season, with passionate angler Michael reeling in a tagged brown trout from Lake Binney and claiming a $5,000 cash prize.

A keen fly fisher and long-time Tasmanian angler, Michael was enjoying a day exploring the Bradys lake system. After experiencing success around the system and already landing three trout for the day, he decided to have a few final casts before heading home. While walking the shoreline of Lake Binney, he spotted another trout cruising along close to the bank. With his trusted dry fly, the Speckled Tag, tied on, he placed a well-presented cast ahead of the fish. Moments later, a confident brown trout rose to the surface and engulfed the fly. After a spirited fight, he netted a beautifully conditioned brown trout weighing around 1.2 kg.

"I've been fishing Tasmania's highland lakes for years and never imagined I'd hook a tagged trout worth $5,000," said Michael. "When I first noticed the tag, I assumed it was a research tag because I'd caught one of those fish before. But once I realised it said ‘Winner’, it was an incredible feeling. It just topped off what had already been a fantastic days fishing. The Tagged Trout Promotion adds an extra level of excitement every time you head out because you never know what the next cast might bring."

Interestingly, the trout was originally tagged and released into Bradys Lake in October 2024, measuring 350 mm in length. Since then, it had moved through the interconnected waterway into Lake Binney, growing to approximately 420 mm and putting on excellent condition along the way.

While five prize fish have now been captured this season, anglers still have plenty of opportunities to win. Four tagged trout remain in the Bradys chain of lakes (one brown and three rainbows), each carrying a $5,000 prize, and there are still around 40 tagged trout swimming around in waters across Tasmania.

However, the biggest prize remains untouched. The first licenced angler to catch a tagged trout from Yingina / Great Lake will take home an incredible $25,000 cash prize. There will also be further opportunities to win major cash prizes, with details to be announced at the opening of the upcoming rainbow trout season on 3 October 2026.

With spring conditions improving, trout becoming increasingly active and the Central Highlands fishery already showing promising signs, there has rarely been a better time to get out on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler chasing trophy trout or a newcomer looking to experience Tasmania's freshwater fisheries, every cast could be the one that lands a winning fish.

So grab a freshwater fishing licence, get out on the water and join the hunt. One of Tasmania's tagged trout could be worth $5,000, while the next tagged fish landed from Yingina / Great Lake could be worth an extraordinary $25,000. With dozens of prize fish still swimming in Tasmanian waters, the race is well and truly on to claim the state's biggest cash trout fishing prize.

Further information on the Tagged Trout Promotion and the location of the forty remaining fish, including the big prize from Yingina / Great Lake, go to the Inland Fisheries website www.ifs.tas.gov.au/tasmanian-tagged-trout-promotion-2026-27