Here’s a list of the better known Tasmanian trout fishing spots, along with why they are great. Tasmania also has many fishing spots that are hidden gems.

South Esk River – this is Tasmania’s longest river and one of the best trout rivers. It begins in the Ben Lomond plateau near Mathinna and runs through Fingal, Avoca, Evandale, Perth Longford and Hadspen. The river merges with the Meander River, and flows through Cataract Gorge to join the North Esk River at Launceston. From this arises the Tamar River, which flows into Bass Strait. The South Esk includes Trevallyn Dam near Launceston, also a fishing hotspot. The river’s two largest tributaries are the Macquarie and Meander Rivers, with lesser tributaries being the Nile River, River Tyne, Storys Creek and the Break O’Day River. This river has everything from fast races to long slow sections, depending where you choose to fish.

Penstock Lagoon – this shallow waterbody has a steady water level which allows insects to thrive. Great for dry and wet fly fishing for browns and rainbows. More Penstock Lagoon fishing info here.

Little Pine Lagoon – this relatively small waterbody is one of Tasmania’s best fly fishing locations. Anglers enjoy sight-fishing for tailing fish and dun feeders from boat and shore.

Great Lake – this huge waterbody has changed historically as the dam was periodically built higher. Brown and rainbow trout can be caught all year. The shores of the lake are quite barren when the water level falls, with tracks around the lake making fishing access easy. Great fishing can be had. There are summer beetle falls for dry fly fishing, and a special feature is open water sight fishing for trout cruising wind lanes, the big fish can sometimes be seen in the waves. More info here.

Arthurs Lake – a consistently popular location over the years. It produces big trout and also large numbers of smaller fish. Dry fly fishing is outstanding during insect hatches. Boaters can fish wind lanes, and there is good streamer wet fly fishing when trout are chasing galaxia. More Arthurs Lake fishing info here.

Brumbys Creek – this large lowland creek has cold water flowing in from the nearby highlands which ensures it fishes well through summer. There are mayfly hatches in spring, summer and autumn, and dry fly fishing can be outstanding. More Brumbys Creek fishing info here.

Western lakes – Tasmania’s highlands have a special wilderness fishery with dozens of lakes spread across the Central Plateau, west of Nineteen Lagoons. This area is traversed on foot and great care is required as blizzards can occur. There are not many trout in these shallow and often small waters but many fish encountered are trophies. Landbased sight fishing for brown trout doesn’t get much better.

Huon River – the Huon produced the biggest brown trout caught in Tasmania. It is a tough water though, flowing hard much of the year past banks lined with fallen timber. Summer and autumn sees the river fall and the stone river bed exposed. Spinning and wet fly fishing works. The annual sea trout run below Huonville often produces great fishing when the whitebait is moving. The lake also has many Atlantic salmon at times, being escapees from farm pens and hatcheries. More Huon River fishing info here.

Macquarie River – this slow lowland river is famous for hatches of red spinner mayfly. Drift boat fishing with a dry fly is popular, and bankside wading works too.

Nineteen Lagoons – these waters west of Great Lake can be reached via the road to Lake Augusta. This is wilderness fishery but with less walking required than the Western lakes. Try fishing flooded backwaters early in the season, and then sight fishing the shallows later in the year.

Lake Burbury – this large lake is open all year and produces huge numbers of mostly small wild rainbow and brown trout. Many styles of fishing can be employed. More info here.

Mersey River – most rivers in Tasmania have brown trout, but the Mersey has rainbow trout. Brown trout are caught in the lower sections.

Bronte Lagoon – a great place to try your hand at fly fishing. Be on the shores very early and you will likely see fish feeding in the shallows. Nearby Bronte Park has cabin accommodation and there are other lakes nearby, including the Bradys-Binney-Tungatinah chain. Brown, brook and rainbow trout are caught in Bronte.

Clarence Lagoon – the attraction of this small, shallow water is that it contains only brook trout. Catching them though can be tricky, rough weather might improve your chances, but be suitably equipped with warm weather gear. More Clarence Lagoon fishing info here.

Lake Pedder – the lake was famous for its giant trout after it was flooded, but the fish soon grew in number and shrank in size. There is now a huge number of mostly small brown and rainbow trout to be caught. Nearby Lake Gordon also has brown and rainbow trout, and redfin. Pedder has a more stable water level and arguably better fishing around the edges, but Gordon produces some big fish around the drowned timber. Pedder, being a huge impoundment, is worth a visit for the scenery, and there is accommodation near the main boat ramp. More Lake Pedder fishing info here.

There are many other fisheries throughout Tasmania, from large lakes to tiny creeks. Annual rainfall affects the rivers and lakes to some extent, and annual fish stocking, research this when planning a trip.

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
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