Tasmanian Fishing Report March 2024
by Spot On Fishing Hobart 19 Mar 10:10 UTC
Finlay and Phil with a couple of cracking Kings caught in the Lower Derwent © Spot On Fishing Hobart
Above average water temps have made for some very interesting and exciting fishing...
Saltwater
Snapper - are on fire at the moment, seemingly showing up on most reefs around the lower Derwent, Storm Bay, Norfolk Bay, Dover and Southport. Good numbers of fish around the 35-45cm are being caught with the odd bigger fish in the mix. Fresh Bait and flasher rigs from Hayabusa, Black Magic and Reedys are working best. Patience plays a big part with snapper feeding in small bite windows often around a slowing tide so often people will fish one patch of reef for hours before catching any.
King George Whiting - rumours are floating around of people starting to catch King George down this end of the state with a few photos showing up with people holding them as far south as dover this could be a good option for people to get out and have a try.
Kingfish - continue to fire with good numbers still patrolling the lower parts of the Derwent and Huon estuaries. The east coast has quietened a bit with only a few smaller schools been found around Coles Bay and Triabunna, a lot of people have been finding it tough to find fish up here.
Mako Sharks - have been very good with a lot of people reporting raising multiple fish a day while burleying the shelf. Deep drop fishermen have had them circling the boats while not burleying at all and a few people have hooked them while attempting to catch swords.
Marlin - there has been a lot of talk about striped marlin the last couple of weeks with a few fish been caught and landed at St Helens and a few reports of people having them come up there lure spreads while fishing eagle hawk neck.
Swordfish - have started with a bang this year with some great quality fish been caught the last couple of weeks. Meridian Sword skirts have featured in most pictures we've seen seemingly adding an element to the bait presentation the swords can't resist.
Bluefin - remain quite at eagle hawk neck but good numbers are being caught south around Pedra when the weather allows.
Bream - are about as good as they get at the moment with good schools feeding up on the flats around the state. Huon, Derwent and east coast are all firing. Flies like martin's Minnows and Bream Things are working well for the fly anglers while lures like panish 70sp, Nories and Presso 70f lures are working well for the spin anglers.
Squid - good numbers of calamari are being caught throughout the channel, around Bruny, south arm and up around maria island. Fish aren't huge but good numbers are around.
Freshwater
Freshwater fishing has been a bit tough lately, low water levels, high water temps and an invasion of cormorants have been making it hard for a lot of anglers but don't despair some places are still fishing very well.
Bronte Lagoon - has had a bumper season and shows no signs of slowing down. Good numbers of fish around 2lb are being caught on lure and fly with fish seen rising of most days.
Great lake - has been producing some great fishing for those brave enough to go check out this giant water. Trolling, drift spinning and fly has all been working well with anglers reporting good bags of rainbows and browns.
Dee Lagoon - some lovely fish have been coming from this water. Early morning Midge feeders have been a highlight for the fly anglers while trolling and fishing plastics in the timber has been good for the lure anglers.
Lake Echo - has been fishing very well. Gin clear water makes spotting fish from a distance a breeze. This often-overlooked water produces good numbers of browns and rainbows and is definitely worth a visit
Lake Burbury - those wishing to venture further a field Burbury is a fantastic fishery. Early morning wind lane fishing is as good as you will get anywhere with some of the best conditioned and hardest fighting rainbows around.
Little Pine Lagoon - for the angler who doesn't mind so much about the size of the fish and just wonts a good day out with the dry fly then Pine is worth a visit. Anglers reporting catching good numbers of fish from the shore eating mayfly patterns.
Please don't forget to send in your pictures so we can share your fantastic catches to
IFS News
John Diggle departs
John Diggle starts leave today and this will extend until he retires later in the year.
John commenced work with the Inland Fisheries Commission in 1988 as a casual Technical Assistant. He had a number of positions until he became Director in 2003.
John is highly regarded by his peers for his strategic and thoughtful management of Tasmania's freshwater fisheries. He has battled with maintaining a high standard of fisheries management with ongoing budget pressure.
Read more on John here
Redfin Perch found in Huon Valley. We need your help!
On 12 March 2023, a Redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) was caught by an angler in Mountain River, in the Huon Valley. It was reported to and confirmed by the IFS. Redfin perch have not been found in this river, or in the Huon Valley before. Broad surveys have now been done including farm dams, rivers, and creeks in the area. Only one other Redfin perch was captured in a small creek. The IFS wants your help to find the source of this population, as early detection is important to eradicate them.
If you think you've seen, found, or caught a Redfin perch, please take clear photos of it, or if it is dead already, collect the carcass and store in a freezer. Please take note of the location where it was found, as well as the date, and contact the IFS promptly on 1300 INFISH or infish@ifs.tas.gov.au.
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