From the Archives ...

Fishing on the Wild Side

Mike Fry doesn’t only live on the Wild Side of Tasmania, but also goes fishing in probably the wildest boat ever to troll for trout—certainly in Tasmania.
When your mate says ‘What are you doing tomorrow, want to come up the Gordon for the night?’ it would be pretty hard to say anything else except “you bet” and start checking out your tackle box and packing your overnight bag. But if your mate was Troy Grining and he wanted to give his new 52ft, high speed cruiser a run across Macquarie Harbour, test the new onboard dory with a chance of landing a nice Gordon River Brown you would have to feel privileged. I didn’t say anything about getting on my hands and knees and kissing his feet…just having a lend of ya’ but I did feel very appreciative.

Summer Fishing Clinics

Don't forget that free fishing clinics are being held in January at local jetties around the state from Dover to St Helens to Devonport. All ages and abilities are welcome.

New fishers learn basic skills like setting up a rod, casting, how to measure your catch and to fish responsibly. Others may want to improve their skills or just drop by to find more about fishing. Rods and gear are provided.

Preregistration is encouraged to allow us to plan the required support and assist in guaranteeing you a fishing spot on the day.

Dates and details

Shark refuge areas - Don't target sharks in shark refuge areason't target sharks in shark refuge areas

Sharks Refuge Areas (SRA) are important areas set aside for sharks and rays to breed with minimum disturbance.

Fishing for, or taking sharks, skates or rays in shark refuge areas is prohibited.

If a person accidentally catches a shark in a refuge area, it is a defence under fisheries legislation to immediately return the shark to the water.

shark refuge 2020

DON'T BE A POSER! A person using large baited hooks or other gear designed for shark fishing in a shark refuge may not be able to establish the shark was caught accidentally, even if it was released. Posing for photos with sharks in an SRA may also not be covered as the shark was not immediately returned to the water. The handling and time you take to pose with the shark may be enough to affect the breeding outcomes of that shark or ray. You can also be prosecuted for illegal shark fishing and heavy fines may apply.

Recreational Fisheries Section, DPIPWE

Phone: 1300 720 647
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.fishing.tas.gov.au