Arthurs Lake has been historically one of Tasmania’s best stillwater trout fisheries.

The lake is about an hour by road from Launceston and 90 minutes from Hobart.

It is open to bait, lure and fly fishing and an annual open/closed season applies.

The impoundment’s water is used for hydro electricity, with water pumped into Great Lake to feed Poatina power station.

The lake level varies by only a couple of metres so the four boat launch sites are usually serviceable, but navigation hazards are more numerous at low water.

The lake fishes best when there have not been major drawdowns of water, as low water levels kill the weedbeds that support good stocks of big fish.

Fish to 2kg are regularly caught, along with some much bigger fish, but most are up to 1kg.

The brown trout population is maintained by natural recruitment, with spawning monitored each year.

The condition of fish is usually high.

Angler surveys for the past 20 years have shown the fishery produces about two fish per angler per day, but skilled fishos can usually better that.

Before the dam was built in 1965 the lake was two lakes, along with the adjacent Morass Marsh.

The east side of the lake, known as the “Sand Lake”, is a popular spot for trolling.

Sand Lake has some drop-offs along the edges which hold fish.

The west side is known as “Blue Lake”.

For boaters, trolling and casting lures around the Morass area’s timber is usually productive.

The Morass is a good place to troll if you don’t mind dealing with snags.

The islands in the lake also have some structure, along with weedbeds.

Arthurs has many trees and trolling the tree lines usually produces fish.

As with all Tasmanian lakes, fishing along the shores is best at dawn. Try the eastern bank of the Cowpaddock, as it misses the early rising sun so the fishing lasts longer before the fish go deep.

Cowpaddock Bay is arguably the best spot for shore-based fly fishing during the mayfly season from November to February.

Fishing around semi-submerged bushes is good when the water is up.

The east shore of the lake is quite bare and exposed but can fish well in rough weather.

Bait fishing from shore with worms, mudeyes and wattle grubs works well.

Casting soft plastic lures from shore also works.

Early in the season, boaters should use deeper lures, or leadcore line or downriggers.

Open water trolling is best in the very early morning and late in the day, as the fish usually go deep when the sun is up.

Fly fishing is usually best at the north end at Hydro Bay, Cowpaddock Bay, Jonah Bay and Fleming Bay.

Dun hatches occur in summer alongside gum beetle and ant falls.

Fly-fishers can also sight-fish cruisers and galaxia feeders.

If fish aren’t surface feeding then use wet fly, lures or bait.

There are many good fishing spots accessible from shore, with roads along most of the lake’s western and southern shore.

Arthurs Lake has camping areas at Jonah Bay and Pumphouse Bay.

The lake contains the native saddled galaxias and Arthurs paragalaxias.

Both species are protected.

There are boat launch sites at Jonah Bay, Pumphouse Bay, Arthurs Dam and the western end of Morass Bay at Yangeena.

Public camping areas are located at Pumphouse Bay and Jonah Bay, fees apply.

The lake is exposed to all winds and gets rough with little warning.

Freezing conditions can occur quickly, carrying suitable warm weather gear is a must.

Tasmanian fishing regulations
Tasmanian marine reserves
Tasmanian saltwater fishing seasons
Trout fishing spot access programs
Fisheries assessment reports
Buy a freshwater fishing licence
Tasmanian lake levels (hydro)
Tasmanian river flows (govt)
Tasmanian lake webcams
Tasmanian river flows
Bag and size limits
Private Tasmanian trout fisheries
Return to the Tasmanian Fishing Map

Email updates or corrections to [email protected]