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Woods Lake Fishery Performance Assessment

During the first week of October, we surveyed the brown trout population at Woods Lake.
Over two nights we captured 368 brown trout.
The average weight for fish over the legal size limit of 300 mm was 804 grams with an average
length of 427 mm.
The growth of fish was good across all lengths, with approximately 20 percent of fish measuring in
excess of 500 mm.
There was a strong cohort of fish centered around a peak of 360 mm length, with 37 percent of
fish measuring 300 – 400 mm.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 22 April 2019

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Read more: IFS Quarterly report to anglers for December 2018 to February 2019 Part 03

Anglers Access

Craigbourne Road to remain open On Saturday 1 December 2018, the Southern Midlands Council published a Public Notice seeking feedback on a proposed permanent closure of a section of the Craigbourne Road.

The road closure would have resulted in no public access to the eastern side of the dam, restricting access to the western side only.

The Council discussed the proposal at meeting of 23 January. Neil Morrow, Manager Anglers Access made representation to the Council.

The Council voted unanimously to keep Craigbourne Road open to the public.

The IFS thanks the community for their overwhelming support in keeping this important public access open for anglers and other recreational users.

Anglers accessing the dam should respect private land and adhere to the access rules at all times.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 20 April 2019

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• Report to Anglers 2019 04

Read more: IFS Quarterly report to anglers for December 2018 to February 2019 Part 02

On Tuesday 16 April, in the Launceston Magistrates Court, a defendant appeared on Inland Fisheries charges. These related to the illegal taking of fish from Sandbanks Creek, yingina/Great Lake, during last year’s spawning run.

The defendant pled guilty and was convicted of disturbing spawning fish and assisting his friend to illegally take fish from the trap by holding a light. He was fined $500 plus Court costs.

With the spawning run starting, we remind you of the strict laws around the protection of spawning fish. You are most welcome to have a look at the fish in our traps, but you must not disturb or interfere with them in any way.

If you notice or hear of any illegal activity please call our Compliance Team on 0438 338 530. We need your help to protect our fishery.

Brown trout in a migratory fish trap on yingina/Great Lake

source : https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/apr/18/trout-poacher-convicted

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 20 April 2019

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Water testing by the Meander Valley Council at Four Springs Lake has revealed blue green algae to be currently present.

Please be advised that:

Blue Green Algae may pose a risk to water users and anyone who draws water directly from the water body. Swimming, canoeing and any other recreational use should be avoided until further notice.

Contact may cause sickness in humans and animals.
Contact may cause skin and eye irritation.
At low levels of algal density fish are safe for consumption if cooked – consume at own risk.
Meander Valley Council will continue to monitor water quality.

If you have any queries regarding this matter please contact the Meander Valley Council on (03) 6393 5300 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Source - https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/apr/15/recreational-water-warning-four-spring-lake

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 16 April 2019

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On Monday 15 April access to the Woods Lake boat ramp will be restricted from 7.30am until about midday.

We are going to remove some dangerous dead branches from the large trees over the car park.

Access will reopen as soon as the work is completed.

Source - https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/apr/10/woods-lake-boat-ramp-restricted-access-period

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 11 April 2019

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On Tuesday afternoon, we took a moment to say thank you to Stephen Hepworth who retired from the Inland Fisheries Service last year.

We wanted to recognise the 18 years of valued service he gave to IFS, with the last 10 years as the Manager of Compliance and Operations.

Stephen was the beneficiary of one of the largest known ‘crowdfunding’ efforts from our workplace. We wanted to ensure Stephen’s retirement lifestyle reflected the effort he exerted while working with us. A reproduction of his favourite painting of yingina/Great Lake was the centrepiece of our gift giving.

On behalf of all of us at IFS, we wish Stephen and his lovely wife, Betty, all the best for their adventures together in retirement bliss.

Source - https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/apr/11/happy-retirement-mr-hepworth

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 11 April 2019

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Source - https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/publications/quarterly-reports-anglers

Hot topics

The start of 2019

The Christmas and New Year period saw anglers flocking to the Central Highlands to enjoy some great fishing. Our Officers were on patrol throughout the period, and they saw some fantastic catches. The standout waters were:

Arthurs Lake – After some tough times, we were pleased with how well this water fished. Both lure and fly anglers were catching fish that were in fantastic condition.

Four Springs Lake – There were less anglers, but some impressive bags caught. Fly anglers did well from the shore.

Nineteen Lagoons – Anglers reported plenty of cruising fish from Lake Botsford, Lake Augusta and Lake Ada. Tailing fish were reported at Howes Bay Lagoon and Double Lagoon.

Woods Lake – Saw great catches with one very impressive fish weighing in excess of two kilograms. yingina/Great Lake – Swan Bay, Haddens Bay and Cramps Bay were the hotspots. One bait angler in Swan Bay caught four good fish ranging between 420 mm and 480 mm in an afternoon session.

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 10 April 2019

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• Report to Anglers 2019 04

Read more: IFS Quarterly report to anglers for December 2018 to February 2019 Part 01

Time to get your gear ready and check your licence. Recreational scallop season opens from Saturday 13 April for all waters except the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. A reminder that only the licence holder can dive for scallops.

Measuring gauges are available from Service Tasmania outlets.

Scallop rules reminder

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 10 April 2019

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Read more: Not long till scallop season 2019

Site works to replace the flood damaged pedestrian bridge between Lake Ada and Ada Lagoon will be underway between Wednesday 10 April and Friday 12 April 2019. As part of these works the carpark at the end of Lake Augusta Road and the Talinah 4x4 Track will be closed from 0700-0900 on Thursday 11 April 2019. This closure is required to facilitate the helicopter operations for the replacement of the bridge as is subject to weather.

The boat ramp at Lake Ada will be available during the closure however there will be limited parking. Once the helicopter operations are completed the carpark and track will be reopened. Access across the pedestrian bridge between Lake Ada and Ada Lagoon may also be limited on Thursday 11 April 2019. Visitors are advised to avoid the area if possible during the works period.

For further information please contact the PWS Project Manager on 6777 2255.

Source: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/news/2019/apr/05/lake-ada-bridge-replacement-temporary-site-closure

Written by Stephen Smith - Rubicon Web and Technology Training

Category: IFS, DPIPWE, MAST and Peak Bodies

Published: 05 April 2019

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