THIS Sunday, May 31, is the final day of the 2025-26 season for designated rainbow trout waters and the extended season waters of Lakes Mackintosh and Rosebery, and the lower section of Brumbys Creek and the Macquaire, Meander and South Esk Rivers.
Waters are closed to allow trout to spawn undisturbed, ensuring a new group of fish to support the fishery for years to come, but it is not the end of trout fishing. Quality trout fishing exists throughout the winter at the following waters which are open all year round:
- Bradys Lake (excluding the “whitewater” flowing from the Lyell Highway radial gates to the Bradys Lake)
- Brushy Lagoon
- Craigbourne Lake
- Great Lake (other than Canal Bay)
- Huntsman Lake
- Huon River downstream from the Huonville Bridge
- Lake Barrington
- Lake Binney
- Lake Burbury
- Lake King William
- Lake Pedder
- Meadowbank Lake
- Pioneer Lake
- River Derwent downstream from the New Norfolk Bridge
- River Leven downstream from Whisky Creek
- Kanamaluka / River Tamar, downstream from the Lower Charles St Bridge on the North Esk River and West Tamar Road Bridge on the South Esk River
- Tungatinah Lagoon
Some of the open waters also contain tagged fish as part of the 2025-26 Tagged Trout Promotion. The IFS will be busy through the next couple of months stocking popular waters to ensure the 2026-27 season gets off to a great start.
Penstock hazard removed
Near the end of the 2025-26 brown trout season the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) received reports of a submerged obstacle in the Penstock Lagoon boating corridor. The obstruction has been located and IFS staff undertook work to move and mark what was found to be a remnant tree stump.
A timely reminder – numerous similar hazards exist in the lagoon and the designated 5 knot speed limit across the lagoon preserves both the aquatic environment and boaters’ safety. Boating outside of the corridor should be by electric outboard or manual labour (with the exception of the existing non-motorised boating zones in Beginners Bay where manual labour only is permitted). If you do need to use your outboard motor outside of the boating corridor, please trim up and stay below the 5 knot speed limit.
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