Tasmania’s East Coast is warmer and drier than the rest of Tasmania, and is best known among fishos for its great beaches and bluewater fishing.

However, there is trout fishing to be had.

Because it is warmer, trout fishing spots here tend to fire earlier after the season opening, with early insect activity.

Late in summer and autumn, low rainfall and heat can slow trout activity on some waters, especially the smaller lakes and rivers.

The river fish tend to be small, so arm yourself with an ultralight fly or spin outfit and small flies and lures.

Bigger fish are caught in the stillwater locations.

Keep in mind each location changes with annual seasonal variations.

Here are the best spots.

Georges River

This river begins west of popular St Helens and is made up of North George and South George Rivers.

The upstream sections have clear water running through forest, with abundant insect life.

There are many brown trout to be caught, but mostly small.

Insect activity picks up earlier here because it is a warm area, so you’ll get a chance at dry fly fishing soon after season opening.

The rivers join at Pyengana and flow through a combination of farmland, forest and plains before reaching St Helens’ Georges Bay.

Bigger fish are caught in the lower reaches, with sea trout in the tidal section in late winter/spring, and black bream.

Ringarooma River

This river starts in the Ben Lomond ranges and flows through farmland through to Brankholm, Ringarooma and Derby.

The upper river above Branxholm has many mostly small brown trout that usually respond well to flies and small lures.

From Branxholm the river gets bigger, with Maurice River, Legerwood Rivulet, Federal Creek, Dorset River and New River adding more flow, however access becomes difficult, and below Derby there are problems from legacy tin mining.

Big and Little Waterhouse Lakes and Blackmans Lagoon

These lakes are north-east of Bridport and very near the coast.

They have tannin-coloured water and thick weed growing around the banks.

Blackmans Lagoon and Big Waterhouse Lake have abundant insect life and consequently produce big fish.

The shorelines are tricky when the level is up because of the weed, so a boat helps.

Little Waterhouse Lake is smaller and tends to drop low in summer, but it has better bank access.

All three of these locations are stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

Lake Leake

This lake north-west of Swansea has historically produced big rainbow trout, but in recent times is producing more brown trout.

Read more about Lake Leake fishing here.

Tooms Lake

This lake south-west of Swansea produces great fish at times.

The lake was a marsh before the dam wall was built.

The lake is in woodland but there aren’t many snags throughout much of the lake, with weedbeds in some areas and clear rocky banks in others.

The water is often slightly cloudy.

Neck Inlet is one of the best fishing areas, with some fallen timber.

Insect activity in summer is usually good, and lure fishing works from the deeper shorelines.

There is easy vehicle access from Midlands Highway, with a 4WD track to Neck Inlet.

Boats can be launched at various spots, and there is informal camping.

Frome Dam

The impoundment is on Kent Hill near Moorina. The water is tannin stained and full of old stumps.

A boat is needed as there is not much bank that can be fished except when the water level falls.

There is good summer insect life and usually plenty of fish as the dam has a spawning stream.

Cascade Dam

The dam is on the Cascade River upstream of the Ringarooma River inflow.

The track in is rough and there is little shoreline to fish unless the water is low, so a boat is needed.

Once again, the water is tannin coloured, with many tree stumps.

Expect mostly small brown trout, this dam also has spawning streams.

Pioneer Mine Dam

The Pioneer Mine Dam is an old mine site filled with water, located near the town of Pioneer.

It is stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

There is good vehicle access and bank that can be fished.

Big trout can be caught here, but expect water skiiers in summer on the weekends.

Scamander River

The upper river produces brown trout, but tends to run low in summer and is far better known as a black bream location in the tidal section.

Read more about Scamander River fishing here.

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Outside of the East Coast, here’s some of Tasmania’s best trout fishing spots.

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 corrections, additional info, pictures or video to fishfindermaps2@gmail.com
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT

Tasmania’s East Coast enjoys a warmer and drier climate compared to the rest of the island, making it a popular destination for anglers due to its stunning beaches and excellent bluewater fishing.

However, there are also ample opportunities for trout fishing.

The warmer conditions lead to earlier activity at trout fishing spots after the season opens, thanks to increased insect activity.

During late summer and autumn, low rainfall and heat can slow down trout activity in certain waters, particularly smaller lakes and rivers.

River fish tend to be smaller, so it’s advisable to use an ultralight fly or spin outfit paired with small flies and lures.

For larger fish, focus on stillwater locations.

Keep in mind that conditions can vary annually with the seasons.

Here are some of the top fishing spots.

Georges River

This river originates west of St Helens and consists of the North George and South George Rivers.

The upper sections feature clear waters flowing through forest, rich in insect life.

While many brown trout can be caught, most are on the smaller side.

Insect activity increases earlier here due to the warm climate, offering opportunities for dry fly fishing shortly after the season opens.

The rivers converge at Pyengana and continue through a mix of farmland, forest, and plains before reaching St Helens’ Georges Bay.

Bigger fish are more common in the lower reaches, with sea trout found in the tidal sections during late winter and spring, along with black bream.

Ringarooma River

Beginning in the Ben Lomond ranges, this river flows through farmland toward Brankholm, Ringarooma, and Derby.

The upper sections, above Branxholm, are home to many mostly small brown trout that respond well to flies and small lures.

As the river flows down from Branxholm, it widens with tributaries like Maurice River, Legerwood Rivulet, Federal Creek, Dorset River, and New River, but access becomes challenging, especially below Derby due to legacy tin mining impacts.

Big and Little Waterhouse Lakes and Blackmans Lagoon

Located northeast of Bridport and close to the coast, these lakes feature tannin-stained water and thick aquatic vegetation along the banks.

Blackmans Lagoon and Big Waterhouse Lake are rich in insect life, yielding substantial fish.

When water levels rise, the shorelines become tricky due to weeds, making a boat advantageous.

Little Waterhouse Lake is smaller and tends to drop low in summer, but it offers better bank access.

All three locations are stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

Lake Leake

Situated northwest of Swansea, this lake has historically produced large rainbow trout, though recent times have seen an increase in brown trout.

Read more about Lake Leake fishing here.

Tooms Lake

This lake southwest of Swansea occasionally produces impressive catches.

Originally a marsh before the dam wall was constructed, Tooms Lake is surrounded by woodland with few snags, featuring some weedbeds and clear rocky banks.

The water often has a slight cloudiness.

Neck Inlet is a prime fishing area, with some fallen timber.

Summer insect activity is generally good, and lure fishing is effective along deeper shorelines.

Access is easy from Midlands Highway, with a 4WD track leading to Neck Inlet.

Boats can be launched at several locations, and informal camping is available.

Frome Dam

Located on Kent Hill near Moorina, this impoundment has tannin-stained waters filled with old stumps.

A boat is essential here, as there is limited bank access except during lower water levels.

Summer insect life is robust, typically resulting in plenty of fish due to the presence of a spawning stream.

Cascade Dam

This dam is situated on the Cascade River, upstream of the Ringarooma River inflow.

The access track is rough, and there is little shoreline to fish unless water levels are low, so a boat is necessary.

The water is tannin-colored and features numerous tree stumps.

Expect to find mostly small brown trout, with spawning streams also present.

Pioneer Mine Dam

This former mine site, now filled with water, is located near the town of Pioneer.

It is stocked with both brown and rainbow trout.

Good vehicle access is available, along with fishable banks.

Large trout can be caught here, but be mindful of water skiers on summer weekends.

Scamander River

The upper reaches produce brown trout, but during summer the water tends to run low, with the tidal section being better known for black bream fishing.

Read more about Scamander River fishing here.

For more options beyond the East Coast, explore Tasmania’s best trout fishing spots.

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 corrections, additional info, pictures or video to fishfindermaps2@gmail.com