Remote, beautiful waterways and wild brown trout ensure Tasmania offers some of the world’s finest inland fishing.

Fishing is a popular recreational pastime in Tasmania, with approximately 25,000 anglers currently licensed to fish Tasmania’s inland waters. Some of the state’s most popular freshwater fishing spots include lakes that were developed for hydropower generation, with many anglers frequenting Tasmania’s central highlands to take advantage of world class trout waters.

Tasmania's top fishing spots


Every year the Inland Fisheries Service (Tasmania) surveys recreational fishing licence holders to gain an insight into the number of anglers fishing particular waters, the catch rate and total harvest for each species, and angler effort*.

Hydro Tasmania waterways made up 10 of the top 15 most popular fisheries in 2021-2022, as listed below. The total catch rate is for all species combined: brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and Atlantic salmon.
Ranking  Lake  Catch rate
(fish per angler per day)		 Angler numbers 
 1 yingina / Great Lake 1.67 7,223 
 2 Arthurs Lake  1.13 5,436 
 3 Woods Lake 2.58  3,649 
 4 Penstock Lagoon  1.52   3,003
 5 Four Springs Lake 1.68  2,813 
 6 Little Pine Lagoon  1.60  2,813 
 7 Bronte Lagoon  1.49  2,509 
 8 Craigbourne Lake  0.51  2,167 
 9 Bradys Lake  0.90  1,863 
 10 Lake Echo  1.14  1,254 
 11 Lake Leake  1.30  1,216 
 12 Huntsman Lake 1.21  1,102 
 13 Lake Pedder 1.75  1,064 
 14 Brushy Lagoon  0.76 905 
 15 Dee Lagoon 0.83  772 


The above ranking is based on results from the 2021-2022 Angler Postal Survey. 

* Further information about the Angler Poster Survey (APS) is available in the IFS Annual Reports which can be found on the IFS website.

Stay safe at hydropower lakes


Variable natural inflows and power generation can change the level of lakes and flow of rivers, and this can affect your fishing plans. Check lake levels and water flows to get all the information you need to safely get out on water managed by Hydro Tasmania. 

Make sure you are also aware of the dates for the angling season. While some Tasmanian waterways are available year round for fishing, most are subject to seasonal dates and these are waterway specific. The dates can be found on the Inland Fisheries Service website. 

Also view our recreational sites map to see where there are boat ramps and other facilities at rivers and lakes around the state.

We work with the Inland Fisheries Service to maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that supports and improves recreational angling in Tasmania and helps protect native fish stocks and water quality.

The MOU sets targets for desirable water levels for eight key lakes and lagoons managed by Hydro Tasmania: Bronte Lagoon, Laughing Jack Lagoon, Penstock Lagoon, Arthurs Lake, Woods Lake, Little Pine Lagoon, Shannon Lagoon and Lake Augusta.

We also support recreational angling by developing and maintaining boating facilities in partnership with Marine and Safety Tasmania and the Inland Fisheries Service.

Please stay safe around hydropower and enjoy your fishing.