EDITION 5 Native Fish Western Lakes The Western Lakes area is home to four species of native fish; the Climbing galaxias, Spotted galaxias, Wilderness Fishery Clarence galaxias and the Western paragalaxias. The Western paragalaxias (Paragalaxias julianus) is a State and Commonwealth listed threatened fish found only Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness within the Western Lakes area in the Ouse, James and World Heritage Area Little Pine river systems. While the Western paragalaxias co-exists with trout, they are far more abundant in waters that are trout free. There are also a number of Anglers invertebrate species that are unique to the region. To assist in the protection of these species it is an offence to use fish or fish products as bait or to transfer any fish Access species or other organisms between waters. Western paragalaxias REGION: CENTRAL (Paragalaxias julianus) Matt Daniel • Report any unusual fish captures or algal sightings immediately to the Inland Fisheries Service • Report illegal activities to Bushwatch 1800 333 000 Code of Conduct • Be aware of and comply with fishing regulations. • Respect the rights of other anglers and users. • Protect the environment – this is a World Heritage Area. • Carefully return undersized, protected or unwanted catch back to the water. CONTACT DETAILS • Fish species and other organisms must not be relocated or transferred into other water bodies. 17 Back River Road, New Norfolk, 7140 Ph: 1300 INFISH www.ifs.tas.gov.au BL11369 Inland Fisheries Service Introduction 4WD tracks to Talinah Lagoon, Lake Pillans and the Julian Angling Notes Lakes are open at certain times of the year. The Western Lakes is defined as the Central Plateau The Western Lakes Wilderness Fishery is dominated Conservation Area west of the A5 Highland Lakes Road by wild brown trout with rainbow trout present in and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. The Western Recreational Fishery Management some waters. Clarence Lagoon is the only water in the Lakes covers approximately 140,000 hectares within the The Western Lakes Fishery Management Plan is designed Western Lakes that holds brook trout. Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (WHA) to maintain sustainable catch rates, fish quality and the containing a vast network of lakes, lagoons, tarns, streams overall angling experience. Natural recruitment of wild Individual waters are small and sensitive suited to and rivers renowned for its recreational trout fishing. fish stocks is the mainstay of the fishery supplemented small angling groups or individuals. Angler dispersal is encouraged to maintain the angling experience and The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) is responsible for with stocking of primarily wild brown trout. Appropriate wilderness values. the management of native and recreational freshwater size and bag limits have been applied to protect the fisheries in the Western Lakes. angling values of specific waters. Early season fishing for ‘tailing’ trout is best in waters The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) are responsible Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) with shallow, weedy margins that fill with winter rain for managing the land area of the Western Lakes. and snow melt such as Lake Kay, Double Lagoon, Howes IFS and PWS regulations contained in this brochure Regulations to be aware of Lagoon Bay and Talinah Lagoon. If trout are not visible relate to the entire Western Lakes area. The map and The CPCA is a fuel stove only area. “fuel stove” then careful searching of the undercut banks of most general information in this brochure are specific to means a device for cooking that does not – waters with a wet fly or nymph can produce fish. Given the portion of the Western Lakes accessible from Lake favourable conditions, polaroiding can be rewarding (1) Affect, or interact with, in any way, soil or Augusta Road via Liawenee. throughout the season although December to February vegetation; or is the optimal period. Shallow sand/silt bottom waters are best such as lakes Ada, Augusta and Chipman and Getting There (2) Use or burn coal, wood, plant material or any other solid fuel; Double, Third and Second lagoons. Good dry fly fishing Liawenee lies on the western shore of Great Lake to mayfly feeders during late December to February All Fires are strictly prohibited. approximately 92km north west of Melton Mowbray occurs at Lake Kay, Howes Lagoon Bay and Carter Lakes. and 59km south of Deloraine via the A5 Highland Lakes Horses and Dogs only permitted with a Spin fishing, trolling and loch style fly fishing are popular Road. Other popular access points to the Western Lakes PWS authority. on Lakes Augusta and Ada. include Lake Mackenzie, Walls of Jerusalem National Park Cats are prohibited. and Clarence Lagoon. Protect our Waters Recreational Hunting is only permitted within Recreational anglers have a responsibility to look after Background designated hunting zones and requires a hunting licence and a PWS authority. fisheries resources for the benefit of the environment The Western Lakes aquatic environment is ecologically highly and future generations. Four Wheel Drives and ATV’s must keep to significant with numerous species present, some of which • Do not bring live or dead fish, fish products, animals designated tracks and must be registered. are endemic. The region sustains a unique recreational trout or aquatic plants into Tasmania. fishery that is valued for its wilderness environment. You are Driving on a closed track is not permitted. • Do not bring any used fishing gear or any other encouraged to enjoy and protect its beauty. freshwater recreational equipment that may be damp, wet or contain water into Tasmania. Check, clean and All waters except Augusta Dam are natural, formed by PWS Boating Regulations dry your fishing equipment before entering Tasmania. • Do not transfer any freshwater fish, frogs, tadpoles, glacial activity during the last ice age. The region lies at an The Parks and Wildlife Service regulate boating in the altitude of approximately 1150 m and is very exposed invertebrates or plants between inland waters. Western Lakes area. Motorised boating is permitted on • Check your boat, trailer, waders and fishing gear for therefore visitors should be well prepared as sudden Lake Augusta, Lake Mackenzie, Lake Ada, Double Lagoon, changes in weather including snow and poor visibility can weed and other pests that should not be transferred Lake Fergus (electric motors only) and the lakes accessed before moving between waters. occur at any time of the year. Many waters are accessible from the Pillans Lake – Julian Lakes vehicle track. Motorised by unsealed roads and short walks. For the more • Do not use willow (which is a plant pest) as a rod boating (Including electric motors) is prohibited on all support as it has the ability to propagate from a strike. adventurous there are extended walks. High clearance other waters in the Western Lakes area. MINA km GWRI PAR km SFFIL km LIABT TWN km TR km LANCSTN km LANCSTN km LANCSTN km BLSSINGTN km C738 Relbia 40 White Phillips Bengeo RIVER C401 600 200 600 307 800 Falls C735 Hadspen 155 Hills Hullabaloo 600 MEANDER 222 C420 River Falls MERSEY 315 C414 C413 C138 RIVER Hagley 200 Creek B54 C732 SOUTH C412 200 701 Rivulet Exton 200 Iris C137 C163 Lemana 294 B54 Blessington Champagne 200 Breadalbane Lobster 282 IGWA Falls 400 Deloraine Westbury 147 Mole Falls RIVER Carrick Bridal Red Hills Cr 221m Olivers Cr Tailboard Veil LAKE Blackmans Bull 510 226 Pateena Falls CETHANA C502 Cr BASS Falls Lorinna 400 C508 Launceston Logan Marathon 708 Creek B12 Brook 200 600 Individual Waters Angling Regulations Pensioners Quamby Airport Falls PNCIL PIN km C511 C132 Lobster 232 B41 Daisy Western Lakes Area Angling Regulations Bush Cr English Season: from the Season: from the C164 Method 160 Dell MEANDER C501 C531 Western Town To fish in any open public inland water in Tasmania you must hold a current Inland first Saturday in Saturday nearest Needles C501 200 C507 268 Artificial Lures Minimum Size Maximum Daily B52 C412 Sunday Cr Cr A5 Junction Cr Angling Licence unless you are under 14Ugbrook years of age. A summary of the regulations are Water Name ChudleighAugust to the the 1 st October to Osmaston ESK Liena C138 Bait Fishing Limit mm Bag Limit* 213 C139 Tree C138 contained within the Tasmanian Inland Fishing Code. Mole Creek Sunday nearest the the Sunday nearest C503 C417 Murfetts B12 30 th April the 31 st May Fly Fishing Montana Swamp Hills C170 Falls C169 Evandale Creek The MayberryWestern Lakes area is defined as The Central Plateau Conservation Area west Ada Lagoon C168 300 mm 5 Perth Cr Ration C169 C413 Quaile 400 Glenore of the A5 Lakes Road and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and includes all lakes, Carter Lakes 420 mm 416 2 Boyes 400 Falls 160 Gum C505 B52 rivers and lagoons within 400 this area. RIVER Clarence Lagoon 300 mm 2 C508 B41 Cubits RIVER 600 Rt Black Double Lagoon 420 mm 2 C166 120 200 Creek Whitemore KansasThe rules that apply to most waters in the Western Lakes area are: Woodstock RIVER RIVER DOVE Oaks C513 Lagoon C519 C420 Nile • Angling season: From the first Saturday in August to the Sunday nearest the 30th April. East Rocky Lagoon Catch & release 0 Cluan Whitemore Cr 424 Montana 716 Addison • Restricted to fishing with artificial lures and fly. Emma Tarns Brook 420 mm 2 Cr Longford Cr Caveside First Lagoon 500 mm 1 C167 Quamby C510 C510 Wilmores River • Bait fishing is prohibited within the Western M Mill Creek e Lane Stockers Brook Eden Creek Howes Lagoon Bay 420 mm a 2 C507 Lakes Area and the WHA except in Lake Augusta and Lake Mackenzie where bait n Cr Leiths Cr C171 d Muddy Sassafras e Elmers 241 Gully C164 r 165 Cr fishing with one hand held rod is permitted.