There has never been a better time to be a Tasmanian angler and the rewards of trout fishing this season are greater than ever.
With 17 days until the 2021-22 brown trout season opens on Saturday, August 7, the Tasmanian Government is delivering on a commitment to further stimulate the recreational trout fishery and boost tourism into regional communities.
Fifty tagged brown trout have been released into 15 waters around Tasmania with each tag worth $2000 to the angler who returns the tagged fish to the Inland Fisheries Service.
Last year, five tagged trout worth $10,000 were released and only one was caught. 12-year-old Fiona Batterham, from the Westbury Angling Club, landed the lucky fish on October 18 at Lake Rowallan. The remaining four fish from last year are no longer eligible for prizes.
Tasmania’s world-class inland fishery attracts more than 24,000 licensed anglers and generates about $90 million, much of this in regional communities.
The Tasmanian Government decided to double the potential prize pool to $100,000 and increase the number of waters to encourage people to try fishing, making it easier for anglers to try their luck and also encourage anglers to visit different waters.
The 15 waters and number of fish are: Arthurs Lake (5), yingina/Great Lake (5), Lake Mackintosh (5), Lake Pedder (5), Lake Burbury (5), Lake Rosebery (5), River Derwent (3), Derby’s Briseis Mine Hole (2), Bronte Lagoon (2), Craigbourne Dam (2), Curries River Reservoir (2), Huntsman Lake (2), Lake Leake (3), Lake Parangana (2) and Lake Rowallan (2).
The boost complements another election commitment to waive junior angling licence fees for the next four years and continuing to freeze the price of adult licences to the 2017-18 level.
To find out more information and the terms and conditions of the Tasmanian Tagged Trout Promotion go to www.ifs.tas.gov.au. You can buy or renew your angling licence online, with licences also available at all Service Tasmania shops and many tackle, outdoor and sports stores throughout Tasmania.
The Government, through the IFS, has also developed a Draft Strategy to Increase Participation in Tasmania’s Inland Recreational Fishery 2021-28.
The Draft Strategy outlines the goals, strategies and actions that will be used to increase participation of inland fisheries and will put in place measures to ensure informed fisheries management decisions.
The Draft Strategy is open for public consultation until midnight Friday 13 August 2021 and is on the IFS website: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/draft-strategy-to-increase-participation-in-tasmanias-inland-recreational-fishery.
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