Investing in our world class inland fisheries

Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water

The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering for Tasmania’s trout anglers with a suite of initiatives to support our inland fisheries.

Attracting more than 26,000 recreational licensed anglers each year, we are investing $300,000 to upgrade and build new amenities and toilets at 10 popular trout fishing locations around the state.

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Penstock Lagoon to open the first of the facilities being delivered through this commitment.

Construction has started at the other locations with all on track to be completed prior to the trout season opening on Saturday 3 August and in time for the upcoming World Fly Fishing Championship in December 2019.

The Championships are expected to attract competitors from around 30 countries, bringing an estimated 800 anglers and support staff.

Improved access for anglers and better facilities will encourage greater community participation and increased angling tourism, which in turn supports the regional businesses and communities that rely on this industry.

Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) was also on hand to release wild brown trout into the lagoon as part of their annual stocking program.

In addition to Tasmania’s world-renowned wild brown trout fishery, each year the IFS put thousands of adult fish into popular waters across the state ensuring anglers don’t go home empty handed.

In further support of increasing participation and angling tourism the Government has also announced a three year trial, commencing in 2020, to extend the fishing season of the lower reaches of selected rivers into May.

This action was identified in the Tasmanian Inland Recreational Fishery Management Plan 2018 – 28, the guiding document for managing Tasmania’s recreational trout fishery.

IFS is improving amenities at boat ramps and campgrounds across the State including at:

* Bradys Lake, main boat ramp;

* Bronte Lagoon, boat ramp;

* Four Springs Lake, southern end of the car park;

* Lake Augusta, boat ramp;

* Lake Sorell, Dago Point campground;

* Little Pine Lagoon, main boat ramp;

* Penstock Lagoon, boat ramp and the Ladies Walk area;

* Tungatinah Lagoon, boat ramp and

* Woods Lake, boat ramp.

/Public Release. View in full here.