2014-15TASMANIAN INLAND FISHING CODE

the essential pocket guide Look at this - no life jackets in 4o water!

Life jackets are a requirement when under power in any boat 6m or less. Life jackets also greatly increase your chances of survival in cold water. With inland water temperatures down to 4o, a life jacket keeps you buoyant, enables you to assess the situation and make a rational decision. For more safety information, visit the MAST website.

www.mast.tas.gov.au Contents 150 years of trout in 4

Contacts 4

Season dates 6

Regulation changes 6

Angling licence requirements 7

Licence information 7

Rules and regulations 10

Exceptions to the general rule 16

Exceptions to the general rules chart 18

Boating information 31

Inland Fisheries Officers 33

Protecting the fishery and environment 35

Anglers Alliance Tasmania 39

Trout Guides 40

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 3 150 years of trout in Tasmania 2014 represents 150 years since the hatching of the first trout in Tasmania on the 4 May 1864. This was a remarkable achievement at the time and we commemorate the perseverance and diligence of those who undertook this feat. They laid the foundation of the magnificent recreational fishery that we now enjoy today. The wild brown trout which is the highlight of our fishery is a pure strain derived from the original shipment.

Contacts

Inland Fisheries Service contacts Head Office and Hatchery 17 Back River Rd, New Norfolk, Tasmania 7140 PO Box 575, New Norfolk, Tasmania 7140

Phone (03) 6165 3808 1300 INFISH (1300 463 474) Fax (03) 6261 8051 Email [email protected] Website www.ifs.tas.gov.au Manager, Compliance and Operations 0438 338 530 Field Station (03) 6259 8166 Lake Crescent Field Station (03) 6254 0058

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 4 Other contacts Anglers Alliance Tasmania www.anglersalliance.org.au Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au Bushwatch 131 444 Devil facial tumour disease (03) 6165 4300 Emergency Animal Disease hotline 1800 675 888 (lake levels) www.hydro.com.au Hydro Tasmania 1300 360 441 Marine and Safety Tasmania 1300 135 513 Orphaned or injured wildlife (03) 6165 4305 Parks and Wildlife Service 1300 827 727 PWS (Central Plateau) (03) 6363 5133 Quarantine Tasmania (03) 6165 3777 Report fox sightings 1300 369 688 (1300 FOXOUT) Report littering 1300 135 513 Salmon Ponds Restaurant (03) 6261 5663 Service Tasmania 1300 135 513 State Emergency Service 24hrs (03) 6230 2700 Tasmanian Boating Weather 1900 969 940 Tasmanian Forecasts 1900 955 364

Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania www.troutguidestasmania.com.au

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 5 Important season dates Saturday 2/8/14 Opening of most waters* Saturday 4/10/14 Opening of designated rainbow trout waters* Saturday 29/11/14 Opening of Canal Bay, Sunday 29/3/15 Closure of Canal Bay, Great Lake Sunday 3/5/15 Closure of most waters Saturday and Sunday 16-17/5/15 Trout Weekend, Liawenee Sunday 31/5/15 Closure of designated rainbow trout waters and lakes Mackintosh and Rosebery

Regulation Changes Several changes have been made this season to the rules and regulations governing the freshwater recreational fishery. An overview of these changes is outlined below. Anglers should check the relevant section of the Fishing Code for more detailed information.

The size limit of 600 mm for fish from a number of waters has been reduced to 500 mm length. These waters are Meadowbank Lake, Blackmans Lagoon,Brushy Lagoon, Bradys Lake, Craigbourne Dam, Four Springs Lake, Lake Barrington, Lake Binney, Tungatinah Lagoon, Tooms Lake, Woods Lake and Lake Leake. The daily bag and size limit for Dee Lagoon and Lake Kara has been changed to a minimum size of 300 mm and a bag limit of 5 fish which can include only two fish over 500 mm in length. The minimum size limit for fish from Lake Crescent has increased to 300 mm length, with only two fish over 500 mm length permitted to be taken as part of the five fish bag limit. The daily angling times for Brushy Lagoon, Craigbourne

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 6 Dam, Curries River Reservoir, Four Springs Lake, Huntsman Lake and Lake Crescent have been extended, allowing anglers to fish within the period, one hour before sunrise to three hours after sunset. Where practical, references to white post delineating specific fishing areas (eg closed waters, waters with variations to fishing methods or angling season) have been replaced with map grid references (GDA 94). A number of previously ”Closed Waters” have been opened for fishing within the prescribed angling season. Regulations specific to Lagoon of Islands has been removed as this water no longer operates as a trout fishery.

Licence Information

Angling licence requirements A current angling licence is required to fish with a rod, reel and line at any inland water in Tasmania (including farm dams on private property) during the angling season that applies to that water. A separate licence is required for whitebait fishing and all commercial activities, including the sale of fish and possession of certain equipment such as a fish net. Only a private fishery registered by the Inland Fisheries Service (the Service) can charge a fee to fish and set rules for the fishery. An angling licence is not required to fish: • at a Registered Private Fishery • for bream in the specified bream (indigenous fish) waters listed in the Inland Fisheries (Recreational Fishing) Regulations 2009 • with a single rod at an open inland water if the person is under the age of 14 years.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 7 Licence type and cost Angling licence types and costs for the 2014-15 licence period, which runs from 1/8/14 to 31/7/15, are shown below. This year, the Service has held the cost of a Junior licence at $12 for the seventh year in a row.

Angling licence type Cost $ 5 Season Licence – Adult 1 Rod 344.00 5 Season Licence – Adult 2 Rod 414.00 5 Season Licence – Senior 1 Rod 272.00 5 Season Licence – Senior 2 Rod 307.00 5 Season Licence – Pensioner 1 Rod 187.00 5 Season Licence – Pensioner 2 Rod 222.00 Adult full season 72.50 Pensioner full season 39.50 Senior full season 57.50 Junior (14-17 yrs) full season 12.00 28 Days 57.50 7 Days 37.00 48 Hours 22.00 2nd Rod (Adult) 14.80 2nd Rod (Other) 7.40 Replacement 2.95

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 8 To be eligible for a Junior licence, a person must be at least 14 years of age and under 18 years of age. In order to purchase a Senior or Pensioner licence, a person must produce his or her Senior Card or Pensioner Concession Card at the time of purchase and record the number on the licence. Note that a Health Care Card does not qualify a person as eligible for a Pensioner licence.

Purchasing or renewing a licence Angling licences can be purchased or renewed online at www.ifs.tas.gov.au.

They are also are sold by registered agents throughout Tasmania including tackle, outdoor and sports stores, and all Service Tasmania shops. Renewal forms are sent to all Full Season licence holders each year by post or email, and anglers are sent a plastic licence card within 21 days of receipt of payment or from the date when licence selling agents returns are received.

Whitebait fishing licence Whitebait licences are issued as a separate fishing licence and are available through Service Tasmania shops and selected agents prior to the season. The cost of a whitebait licence this year is $29.60 and the season runs from Wednesday 1 October to Tuesday 11 November. The regulations relating to whitebait fishing are provided on the whitebait licence.

Angling licence conditions It is a condition of the angling licence that the holder complies with the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, Inland Fisheries (Recreational Fishing) Regulations 2009 and subsequent Orders. These regulations governing the recreational fishery are summarised in

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 9 this Fishing Code but complete versions of this legislation can be viewed online at www.thelaw.tas.gov.au.

Recreational species The recreational fishing regulations are focused on the four species of salmonids, which were introduced to Tasmania and are now acclimatised fish. These are brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Several species of native fish which are commonly caught by anglers are also governed by the Inland Fisheries (Recreational Fishing) Regulations 2009. These are black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), river blackfish (Gadopsis marmoratus), estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum), short finned eel (Anguilla australis) and long finned eel (Anguilla reinhardtii). Separate regulations apply to the recreational whitebait fishery which covers several species of small native fish.

Rules and Regulation

General angling rules and regulations Angling rules and regulations, including angling seasons and times, bag and size limits, and angling methods apply to individual waters in Tasmania. The general rules that apply for most waters are: • an open season from 2/8/14 to 3/5/15 • open to all methods of angling (fly, artificial lure and bait fishing) • a daily bag limit of 12 fish • a minimum fish size of 220 mm in length.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 10 The exceptions to these general rules apply to waters closed to fishing at all times listed under Closed waters (as shown below), all waters in the Western Lakes area, National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) and waters listed in the Exceptions to the general rules chart. A database of inland waters and corresponding regulations, which can be searched by water, region, species or fishing method, is available at www.ifs.tas.gov.au.

Open seasons Most inland waters are open from 2/8/14 to 3/5/15. The exceptions include a smaller number of designated rainbow trout waters, which are open from 4/10/14 to 31/5/15, waters that are opened for specific periods only and waters open all year. These exceptions are listed in the Exceptions to the general rules chart.

Closed waters Waters closed to fishing at all times include: • All waters flowing into Lake Crescent excluding that section of the canal connecting lakes Crescent and Sorell below Interlaken Road (C527) • Dogs Head Creek, Silver Plains Creek and Mountain Creek flowing into Lake Sorell and for a radius of 50 m below where that water flows into Lake Sorell • Curries River Reservoir, within a 400 m radius of the dam intake structure • Lake Fenton and its tributaries • Waters flowing into Great Lake, Lake Leake, and Dee Lagoon • Waters within a radius of 50 m below where that water flows into Great Lake, Lake Leake, Arthurs Lake and Dee Lagoon 150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 11 • Penstock Lagoon Nos 1 and 2 canals above two white posts on opposite banks of those canals • Brushy Rivulet, flowing into Brushy Lagoon • McPartlans Canal between lakes Pedder and Gordon • All ponds, raceways and fish culture ponds maintained by, or operated under, the consent of the Service (the exception being the Plenty River which is reserved for anglers with a disability) • Fishing is prohibited within 100 m of a fish trap maintained by the Service.

Inland waters and seaward limits The Service has jurisdiction over fish in all inland waters in the State. This includes all waters on the inland side of the ‘seaward limit’, which is the boundary between marine and inland waters. Seaward limits are generally marked by a physical structure like a bridge, road or white posts, but in certain locations are designated simply by map coordinates. A full list is contained in the Inland Fisheries (Seaward Limits) Order 2004. Some of the common seaward limits are: • Great Forester River - where the river flows through Adams Cut and enters Anderson Bay at grid reference E537000 N5460780, being a continuation of the high-water mark on Waterhouse Beach • - a straight line drawn between white posts on the southern side of Castle Forbes Bay and the eastern bank of the river • - the downstream side of the C234 road bridge • River Leven - the downstream side of the A1 road bridge • - a straight line running north-east from the junction of the B19 Road and Tarleton Road on the western

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 12 shore to the boat ramp on the eastern shore of the river • Scamander River - the downstream side of the A3 road bridge • Swan River - a straight line between the white posts on opposite banks of the river near where it enters King Bay • River Tamar - the parallel of latitude of Haystack Point • - the parallel of latitude of the eastern extremity of Dogshear Point. Please note that an ‘Excepted waters’ boundary extends across the River Derwent from Dowsings Point to Store Point. Although this Exception Area is defined as a marine water, an inland fisheries licence is required if trout are taken upstream of this boundary.

Special closure Lake Sorell is closed until further notice due to a significant increase in the population of carp in 2009-10. The Service is undertaking an intensive effort to capture these fish with the installation of additional fish barrier nets and traps in marsh areas, and increased fishing and monitoring activities during 2014-15.

Restricted angler access Risdon Brook Dam and the Plenty River adjacent to the Salmon Ponds, are reserved for anglers with a disability (typically members of the Tasmanian Transport Access Scheme). Lake Waverley is reserved for junior anglers who must be under 16 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Craigbourne Dam – for safety reasons, fishing from the dam wall and associated infrastructure is prohibited at all times.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 13 Legal angling methods Legal angling methods are limited to fishing with rod and line using bait, artificial lure and fly. Although many inland waters allow all three methods, bait fishing is not permitted in waters reserved for artificial lure and fly fishing, and lure fishing is not allowed in waters reserved for fly fishing only. These restrictions apply to certain waters listed in the Exceptions to the general rules chart.

Rods and lines Angling is restricted to one rod and line per licence holder unless that person is licensed for two rods or when fishing for bream in specified bream (indigenous fish) waters. Lakes Mackenzie and Augusta are restricted to one hand held rod and line.

A single line must have no more than two lures or two baits or one lure and one bait or no more than three artificial flies. In waters restricted to fly fishing, generally accepted fly fishing practices apply. An angler must be within eight metres of his or her set rod and able to see it at all times, and it is illegal for a licence holder to look after another person’s rod and line at any time.

Strike indicators Only a purpose-built strike indicator is permitted to warn of movement in the rod or line whilst set rod fishing. Plants such as willow, which is a noxious weed, should not be used as it has the ability to propagate from a strike. Bottles, jars, cans or similar objects made of plastic, glass, aluminium or any other metal are not permitted.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 14 Bait fishing Bait fishing including natural, artificial or manufactured baits for example “Powerbait” or similar is not permitted in waters restricted to artificial lure or fly fishing, and in lakes and rivers in a National Park or TWWHA (except lakes Mackenzie and Augusta). It is an offence to use or possess bait at these waters and also to use frogs and ground bait (berley) at any inland water, with penalties up to $6,000.

The use of fish and fish products as bait is prohibited in all inland waters other than sections of rivers subject to tidal movement. The catching of live bait other than whitebait in tidal inland waters is allowed from 26/7/14 to 3/5/15 using either a hand held landing net or a seine net. The landing net must have a handle length of less than two metres, a mesh size of greater than or equal to 12 mm and an opening greater than or equal to one metre in diameter. The seine net must not be more than six metres long and one metre deep, and must have a mesh size between 12 and 30 mm.

Bag and size limits Bag and size limits relate to the number of fish kept and the size of fish in length and apply to the individual water. If an angler is fishing one water but is in possession of fish caught at another water fished earlier that day, then all fish are deemed to have been taken from the second water.

Other than for waters in the Western Lakes area or those specified in the following chart, the daily bag limit for salmonid species and blackfish is 12 fish and the minimum fish length is 220 mm.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 15 The daily bag and size limit for bream is 10 fish and 250 mm in length, and for eels it is 12 fish and 300 mm, while a zero bag limit applies for estuary perch.

Measuring fish Fish, other than bream, should be measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. Bream are measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. The fish should be measured when first caught and immediately returned to the water if undersize.

Exceptions to the general rule Most inland waters in Tasmania follow the general rules. That is, they are open to legal angling methods from 2/8/14 to 3/5/15 and have a daily bag limit of 12 fish with a minimum fish size of 220 mm in length.

Exceptions to this general rule are those waters listed in the Exceptions to the general rules chart, waters closed at all times to fishing, waters in the Western Lakes area and all waters in National Parks and TWWHA (except lakes Mackenzie and Augusta), where bait fishing is prohibited.

Western Lakes area The Western Lakes area is defined as the Central Plateau Conservation Area west of the A5 Lakes Road and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and includes all lakes, rivers and lagoons within this area. The rules that apply to most waters in the Western Lakes area are: • an open season from 2/8/14 to 3/5/15

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 16 • restricted to artificial lure and fly fishing • a minimum fish length of 220 mm • a combined daily bag limit of five fish with only two greater than 500 mm in length Exceptions to these rules are shown in the following chart. This includes individual waters in the Western Lakes area with specific bag and size limits and lakes Youd, Meston and Junction which are designated rainbow trout waters open from 4/10/14 to 31/5/15. Waters in the Exceptions to the general rule chart located in the Western Lakes area are denoted by (WL).

Please note that although waters in the Western Lakes area accessed via the Lake Augusta road may be open to angling, vehicle access is controlled by the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS). Track conditions (including open/closed) can be checked by contacting PWS Mole Creek on 6363 5133.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 17 Exceptions to the general rule chart If an angling water is not in the Western Lakes, is not in a National Park or the TWWHA, is not listed in the following chart and is not a closed water, then the general rules apply. That is, the water is open from 2/8/14 to 3/5/15, open to all legal angling methods (fly fishing, artificial lure and bait fishing), a 12 fish daily bag limit and a minimum fish size of 220 mm in length.

Fishing Method: A – Artificial Lure, B – Bait, F – Fly

Water Name Open Fishing Minimum Maximum Daily Season Method Size Bag Limit Limit (mm) Ada Lagoon (WL) 2/8/14– A F 300/500 5 fish combined 3/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm Big Waterhouse 2/8/14– A B F 300 5 fish Lake 3/5/15 Blackmans Lagoon 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm Bradys Lake 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm Bradys ‘whitewater’ 2/8/14– A F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over between the control 3/5/15 500 mm gates on the to Bradys Lake Break O’Day River 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 18 2/8/14– A F 220 12 fish including including Bronte 3/5/15 5 brook trout Canal (from Pine Tier Lagoon) and Woodwards Canal (to the Lyell Highway) Bruisers Lagoon 2/8/14– F 220 2 fish 3/5/15 Brumbys Creek 2/8/14– A F 220 12 fish Weir 1 (Top Weir) 3/5/15 Brushy Lagoon All Year A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over From 1hr 500 mm before sunrise to 3hsr after sunset Camerons Lagoon 2/8/14– A B F 220 2 fish 3/5/15 Carter Lakes (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 Clarence Lagoon 2/8/14– A F 220/500 5 fish combined (WL) 3/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Coal River 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Craigbourne Dam All Year A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over From 1hr 500 mm before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 19 Curries River 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over Reservoir 3/5/15 500 mm From 1hr before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset Dee Lagoon 4/10/14– A F 300 5 fish with 2 over 31/5/15 500 mm Double Lagoon 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish (WL) 3/5/15 East Rocky Lagoon 2/8/14– F Catch & 0 fish (WL) 3/5/15 release Edgar Pond 2/8/14– A F 220 12 fish 3/5/15 Emma Tarns (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 First Lagoon (WL) 2/8/14– A F 500 1 fish 3/5/15 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Four Springs Lake 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm From 1hr before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset Great Lake – Tods All Year A F 300 brown 12 fish including Corner enclosed trout 3 rainbow trout by grid reference E481761 400 N5354650 and rainbow E481847 trout N5356012

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 20 Get your own piece of trout fishing history.

MEDALLION $25 PLUS $5 POSTAGE PIN BADGE 50 $5. PLUS $2.50 POSTAGE

Join in the celebration of the formation of Tasmania’s world-renowned wild trout fishery. For a limited time only, we’re offering you a range of historic mementos of our 150th anniversary. Don’t miss out on the beautiful commemorative medallion or pin, or get yourself a re-print of Jean Walker’s Origins of the Tasmanian Trout. To get your own piece of history, go to our website at www.ifs.tas.gov.au.

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Renew or buy a 2014-2015 angling licence or five-season licence before 31 March 2015 and you could win a brand new Ford Ranger – to get you where you really want to be. You can get your angling licence online at www.ifs.tas.gov.au or visit your nearest authorised tackle or Service Tasmania shop. Get back to family. Get back to fun. Get back to trout fishing. Getin a newback Ford toRanger. trout fishing

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Get back to history. Get back to fun. Get back to trout fishing. Great Lake – Canal 29/11/14– A F 300 brown 12 fish including Bay enclosed by 29/3/15 trout 3 rainbow trout grid reference E476050 400 N5362584 and rainbow E476072 trout N5361781 Great Lake All Year A B F 300 brown 12 fish including (excluding Canal trout 3 rainbow trout Bay and Tods Corner) 400 rainbow trout Guide Dam 2/8/14– A B F 300 5 fish 3/5/15 Howes Lagoon Bay 2/8/14– F 420 2 fish (WL) 3/5/15 Huntsman Lake All Year A F 220 12 fish From 1hr before sunrise to 3 hrs after sunset Huon River All Year A B F 220 12 fish downstream of Huonville Bridge Junction Lake (WL) 4/10/14– A F 220/500 5 fish combined 31/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm Lake Ada (WL) 2/8/14– A F 300/500 5 fish combined 3/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm Lake Agnes (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 25 Lake Augusta (WL) 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish combined 3/5/15 for Western Lakes One with 2 over hand 500 mm held rod Lake Baillie (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 Lake Barrington All Year A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 500 mm Lake Binney 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm Lake Botsford (WL) 2/8/14– A F 500 1 fish 3/5/15 All Year A B F 220 20 fish Lake Chipman 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish (WL) 3/5/15 Lake Crescent 2/8/14– A F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm From 1hr before sunrise to 3hrs after sunset Lake Dudley (WL) 2/8/14– A F 500 1 fish 3/5/15 Lake Flora (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 2/8/14– A F 220 20 fish 3/5/15 Lake Kara 2/8/14- ABF 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm Lake Kay (WL) 2/8/14– F 300/500 5 fish combined 3/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm Lake Leake 2/8/14– A F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 26 Lake King William All Year A B F 220 20 fish 2/8/14– A B F 220 12 fish 31/5/15 Lake Mackenzie 2/8/14– A B F 220/500 5 fish combined (WL) 3/5/15 for Western Lakes One with 2 over hand 500 mm held rod (WL) 4/10/14– A F 220/500 5 fish combined 31/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm Lake Paget (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 All Year A F 220 20 fish Lake Plimsoll 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Lake Rolleston 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 2/8/14– A B F 220 12 fish 31/5/15 Lake Rowallan 4/10/14– A B F 220 12 fish 31/5/15 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Lake Skinner 4/10/14– A F 220 12 fish 31/5/15 Lake Sorell Special closure Lake Waverley 2/8/14– A B F 220 12 fish 3/5/15 • Reserved for junior anglers 16 years and under.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 27 Lake Youd (WL) 4/10/14– A F 220/500 5 fish combined 31/5/15 for Western Lakes with 2 over 500 mm Little Blue Lagoon 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish (WL) 3/5/15 Little Pine Lagoon 2/8/14– F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Little Pine 2/8/14– F 220 5 fish Lagoon to Ouse 3/5/15 River known as Monpeelyata Canal Little Swanport 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish River 3/5/15 Little Waterhouse 2/8/14– A B F 300 5 fish Lake 3/5/15 Macquarie River 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Meadowbank Lake All Year A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 500 mm Mersey River 4/10/14– A B F 220 12 fish upstream of Lake 31/5/15 Rowallan O’Dells Lake (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 Penstock Lagoon 2/8/14– F 420 3 fish 3/5/15 Pet Dam 2/8/14– A B F 300 5 fish 3/5/15 Plenty River, 2/8/14– A B F 220 1 fish adjacent to the 3/5/15 Salmon Ponds

• Reserved for anglers with a disability

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 28 Risdon Brook Dam 2/8/14– A F 220 12 fish 3/5/15 • Reserved for anglers with a disability River Leven All Year A B F 220 12 fish downstream of Allison Bridge at Golf Club Rd River Leven 4/10/14– A B F 220 12 fish upstream of 31/5/15 Loongana Road Bridge River Derwent All Year A B F 220 12 fish downstream of Bridgewater Bridge River Tamar All Year A B F 220 12 fish downstream of the South Esk and North Esk road bridges Rocky Lagoon (WL) 2/8/14– F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 Rubicon River 2/8/14– A B F 220 5 fish 3/5/15 Sandy Lake (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 Second Lagoon 2/8/14– F 420 2 fish (WL) 3/5/15 Talinah Lagoon 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish (WL) 3/5/15 Third Lagoon (WL) 2/8/14– A F 420 2 fish 3/5/15 Tin Hut Lake (WL) 2/8/14– A F 500 1 fish 3/5/15 Tooms Lake 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 29 Tungatinah Lagoon 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm Weld River (North) 4/10/14– A B F 220 12 fish upstream of grid 31/5/15 reference E575769 N5443349 Weld River (South) 4/10/14– A B F 220 12 fish upstream of grid 31/5/15 reference E479455 N5234171 Woods Lake 2/8/14– A B F 300/500 5 fish with 2 over 3/5/15 500 mm

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 30 Boating Information

Boating regulations Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) regulates boating throughout the State, while the Service has regulations governing fishing from a boat in some waters, and PWS regulates boating in National Parks and the World Heritage Area.

Boating in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and National Parks In the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), motorised boating is restricted to lakes Pedder, Augusta, St Clair, Mackenzie, Ada, Pillans and Julian, and Double Lagoon and . Motorised boating (including electric motors) is prohibited on all other waters in the Western Lakes and the TWWHA.

Fishing from a boat Specific regulations governing fishing from a boat include the following: • Fishing from a boat within 100 m of an angler fishing from the shore is prohibited unless the boat is securely moored • A boat must only be rowed whilst fishing at lakes Lea, Bantic, Garcia, Bellinger, Ashford and Ada Lagoon • Fishing from a boat is not allowed at weirs 1 and 3, Brumbys Creek whilst using a petrol outboard motor • Fishing from a boat is prohibited in lakes Botsford, Dudley and Carter, Howes Lagoon Bay, East Rocky and Rocky lagoons, Pet Dam, Guide Reservoir, and above Weir 2 at Brumbys Creek and any tailrace, impoundment or tributary flowing into Weir 1 at Brumbys Creek

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 31 • At Penstock and Little Pine lagoons, trolling of flies from a boat is not permitted • At Curries River Reservoir, only a boat rowed or powered by an electric outboard motor can be used when either fishing or travelling • A person must not use a boat to drop a lure or bait offshore and then return to shore to fish with that lure or bait.

Responsible boating Boating on inland waters may impact the environment and the overall experience for other anglers. The following are some suggestions and rules for boating anglers to follow: • Do not speed in boats, particularly in shallow water. A general tip is to check your wash and ‘if it’s white, it’s all right – if it’s brown, slow down’. Adhere to the speed limit of 5 knots in designated inland waters that are signposted. • Ensure all on board are wearing a life jacket and have up to date safety and emergency equipment. • Use an appropriate size of boat and motor for the water you’re fishing in. Preferably use electric motors in shallow lakes and weedy margins of lakes, and use 4 stroke or low emission 2 stroke motors to reduce the amount of petrochemicals released into the environment. • Avoid using a drogue in shallow areas with soft sediments or fragile plants and weed beds. • Drive at a slow speed on unsealed roads when towing boats for the safety of other road users and to help protect road surfaces. Observe the 40 km/h recommended maximum speed on Woods Lake and Gunns Marsh roads.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 32 • It is an offence to obstruct access to a boat ramp at any inland water. Cars and trailers should be parked in a manner that does not affect the access or egress of other cars, trailers and boats. • Fishing from a boat within 100 m of an angler fishing from the shore or wading, is prohibited unless the boat is securely moored. • Boat speed is restricted to a maximum of 5 knots within 60 metres of the shoreline or other boat and within 120 metres of a person swimming, diving or wading in the water.

Inland Fisheries Officers The Service has a number of Authorised Officers who regularly patrol inland waters throughout the state. Officers check that anglers are complying with the requirements of the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, ensure anglers are appropriately licensed and protect native and sports fisheries. Fisheries Officers may also collect important information from anglers regarding creel data, angling effort and other information that helps guide fisheries management and planning. Joint patrols are regularly conducted with other agencies including Tasmania Police and Parks and Wildlife Service.

Penalties apply to non compliance and Fisheries Officers are able to deal with offences through infringement notices issued on the spot.

Officers are authorised under the Marine and Safety Authority Act 1997 and the Litter Act 2007. Infringement penalties for common offences include:

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 33 • Fishing without an angling licence- 2 penalty units $260 • Possess assembled, rod, reel and line without an angling licence- 2 penalty units $260 • Fishing in a closed water- 2 penalty units $260 • Using fish as bait to take fish in inland waters not subject to tidal movement- 2 penalty units $260 • Using bottle, jar, can or similar object to warn of movement in the rod and line- 1 penalty unit $130 • Taking fish with unattended set rod- 1 penalty unit $130 • Fishing with more rods than endorsed on a licence- 1 penalty unit $130 • Fail to wear Personal Floatation Device (PFD) on a vessel under 6m (when underway)- 0.5 penalty unit $65.00 • Fail to observe speed limit in vessel- 1 penalty unit $130

The message is clear – do the right thing and enjoy your fishing – the future of this great resource is in your hands.

Tagged or marked fish It is illegal to mark fish in any way unless written permission is given by the Service. Trout are tagged periodically by the Service for research or promotional purposes. There is no requirement to release a tagged trout if caught.

Anglers who catch a tagged trout are requested to contact the Service with details including the number and colour of the tag, the length of the fish (and if possible, the weight and sex), location and time the fish was caught, the method used and if the fish was kept or released.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 34 Pest fish species Pest fish that have the potential to cause significant environmental harm are listed as ‘Controlled Fish’ under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995. These include European carp (Cyprinus carpio), all species of mainland yabbies (Cherax spp.) and Eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki). A person cannot possess these fish or release them into any inland water in Tasmania, including an aquarium. Goldfish (Carassius auratus), redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) and tench (Tinca tinca) are regarded as undesirable introduced pests and it is important to prevent the spread of these species beyond their present distribution.

Native fish species Tasmania has 25 species of native freshwater fish. Twelve species of these are wholly protected under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, including the Australian grayling and 11 species of galaxiid. In addition, all species of freshwater crayfish including the giant freshwater crayfish (Astacopsis gouldi), which is listed under Commonwealth and State legislation as threatened, are protected from fishing. Penalties for taking threatened or protected species are considerable, with convictions resulting in fines of up to $13,000.

Protecting the fishery and environment Anglers have a responsibility to help protect the natural environment and the fishery through their actions, attitude and behaviour. The following are some suggestions for anglers: • Be aware of and comply with fishing regulations. Ignorance is not a legal excuse, so check this Fishing Code for variations in seasons, times, methods and catch limits that apply to individual waters.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 35 • Respect the rights of other anglers and freshwater recreational users. Follow the principle ‘do-as-you-would- be-done-by’. • Carefully return undersized, protected or unwanted catch back to the water. • When wading, avoid sensitive areas including soft sediments, weed beds and fragile plants. • Do not use motorcycles, 4WD or ATV vehicles in wet, boggy or sensitive ecological areas such as lake margins where they are likely to cause long term environmental damage. • Do not litter – take your rubbish with you and dispose of it appropriately. • Do not collect bait from National Parks and reserves, and replace any rocks and logs that you overturn when collecting bait in other areas. • When camping, do so in designated camping areas and respect the rights of other campers by behaving in a socially responsible manner. • Light fires in designated areas, and in constructed fireplaces or fire-pots only and ensure you completely extinguish all fires. Do not light fires in fuel stove only areas such as the World Heritage Area and National Parks. • Do not fell trees for firewood or destroy vegetation when making camp or collecting wattle grubs. • Dispose of fish waste responsibly. Do not clean fish and leave remains in public amenity areas. • Use public toilets where they exist at fishing locations. Otherwise, walk 100 m away from any water body, dig a 15 cm hole and bury your waste including the toilet paper. • Report any unusual fish captures or algae sightings, or any suspicious or illegal activities to the Service.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 36 Preventing pests and diseases It is a serious offence to transfer any fish, including trout, pest fish or native species, between inland waters in Tasmania or to bring live fish, fish products, animals or aquatic plants into the State. This includes not releasing into drains or sewer any freshwater fish, frogs, tadpoles, invertebrates, plants or aquarium water as both the fish and the water in which they are transported may harbour diseases, parasites and pests.

It is now a legal requirement to declare all used fishing equipment at quarantine entry points to due to the threat posed by the pest alga, didymo which has invaded fishing waters in New Zealand. Locally, it is also an offence to use willow as a rod support or strike indicator as it has the ability to propagate from a strike.

Keep out didymo To help prevent the introduction of didymo, anglers travelling to Tasmania are requested not to bring used fishing equipment that is damp, wet or contains water into the State. It takes only a single cell of didymo in a drop of water to transfer this highly invasive pest between waterways. As a precautionary principle to prevent the spread of didymo and other pests or pathogens, anglers are requested to ‘Check, Clean, Disinfect and Dry’ anything used in freshwater. The following are the recommended practices for anglers: • Check your gear before leaving the waterway and remove visible clumps of algae or other weeds. • Clean your gear by scrubbing and soaking all items for a minimum of one minute in a 2% solution of household bleach (200 ml bleach with added water to make 10 litres)

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 37 or a 5% salt, nappy or antiseptic cleaner or dishwashing detergent solution. As a greater precaution, use a hot water solution and soak for 30 minutes, and for items that are difficult to clean and dry (like felt-soled boots), soak for 45 minutes in water maintained at 45º C or higher containing 5% household bleach, dishwashing liquid or nappy cleaner. Discharge cleaning waste away from waterways. • Disinfect by spraying and scrubbing or soaking and scrubbing in disinfectant solution for at least one minute when in remote areas or if unable to dry all equipment effectively between locations. Dry your gear completely and wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in another waterway. Remember that some materials such as felt soled boots may need much longer, even several weeks to dry. Treatment using hot air at 45º C for at least 40 minutes is a faster alternative when available.

River Derwent seafood advice Advice provided by the Derwent Estuary Program and the Director of Public Health recommends limiting the consumption of flathead and trout and not eating any bream or shellfish harvested from the River Derwent Estuary, including Ralphs Bay and . For further details refer www.derwentestuary. org.au/seafood-safety.

Accessing waters across private land There is no right of access to rivers in Tasmania, so access across private property should be viewed as a privilege. If in doubt, obtain the landholder’s permission before attempting access. Be aware that anglers are responsible for their own safety on private property and should observe all safety warning signs.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 38 In consultation with participating landholders, the Service has developed a list of general rules that apply to foot access across private property in designated access areas. These rules are aimed at minimising the impact on private property and to ensure ongoing access for anglers.

Anglers using these formal access points should not light fires, shoot, camp, litter, be accompanied by a dog, enter into paddocks or trample crops, climb fences, cut timber or deface trees. They should avoid disturbing stock and should leave gates open or closed as they find them. Poppy crops are strictly enforced licensed areas, so anglers may only walk along the perimeter of crops. These rules are for foot access only; motor vehicles should only be used on designated public roads.

Anglers Alliance Tasmania Anglers Alliance Tasmania (AAT) is the peak body for freshwater anglers recognised by the Service. It seeks to represent the interests of all Tasmanian and visiting licensed anglers and works with State and Local Authorities to ensure the sustainability of Tasmania’s recreational freshwater fishery.

Affiliated angling clubs, professional and industry associations and independent angler representatives make up the committee of AAT which meets quarterly.

AAT welcomes input from all anglers through its committee structure and via the website, which provides the latest news on projects together with committee minutes. Anglers are urged to visit the AAT website at www.anglersalliance.org.au for more information.

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 39 Trout Guides The use of an experienced and accredited guide can make the difference between success and failure for the visiting or novice angler. Tasmania offers a full range of professional guiding services including one day fly fishing lessons for beginners through to fully guided expeditions.

Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania Inc (TGALT) is the industry body whose members have met certified and audited accreditation standards, including the Tourism Council of Tasmania endorsement. TGALT guides invest heavily in reaching and maintaining these nationally recognised tourism accreditation standards and operators must have reached specified trout fishing experience levels to be accepted as members. TGALT member guides are committed to providing a top quality service and have a wealth of local knowledge about Tasmania’s wild trout fishery. Member trout guides are located throughout Tasmania. A list of current members is available on the TGALT website. For further information, assistance and bookings refer to www.troutguidestasmania. com.au

150 Years of Trout Fishing in Tasmania 1864-2014 40 Disclaimer This Fishing Code is not a comprehensive account or precise statement of the law. The legislation covering inland fisheries is contained within the Inland Fisheries Act 1995 and subordinate legislation which can be accessed online at www.thelaw.tas.gov. au

Whilst the Service makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information published in this Fishing Code, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for formal advice from the originating bodies or Departments. The Service, its employees and other agents of the Crown will not be responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or reliance on this information. The Code is also published electronically on the Service’s website at www.ifs.tas.gov.au

ISSN: 1836-9278

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