Fishing the Tamar River
The Tamar River extends from Launceston
on the southern end to George Town
around 40 minutes drive to the north.
Major angling species: Flathead, couta, silver
trevally, whiting, mullet, Australian salmon,
bream, kingfish and snapper.
Other attractions: Swimming, surfing on
northern beaches, sight seeing, excellent
wineries and tourist attractions such as
Seahorse World and Platypus House.
From the shore
Fishing from the shore of the Tamar can be
just as good as out of a boat - especially
on the pontoons situated along the banks
of the river. Fishing from these can be
very good. Mullet, salmon, trevally, couta,
cod and many other species can turn up
- with the flathead as present as ever.
The best spots to fish from the shore are
all the pontoons, particularly those below
Rosevears and areas such as Deviot,
Bonney Beach, Inspection Head wharf,
Redbill Point Caravan park (only at low
tide), Low Head and West Head.
The Inspection Head wharf is at Beauty
Point - about thirty five minutes to the
north of Launceston. The species you may
encounter include the big four; flathead,
mullet, salmon and barracouta. It is also
home to Seahorse World – a seahorse
aquaculture and interpretation center.
Flathead are probably the most common
catch from the wharf. Mullet are also
caught hard up against the pylons.
Australian salmon are a common
predatory fish that take advantage of the
bait that lives around the wharf.
Kelso jetty is a top spot for squid, and
tide turns are best if squid are the target
- dawn and dusk are best. Many other
species can also be caught here.
The flats around Kelso have become a
popular area for saltwater fly fishers
chasing salmon and flathead. Wading waist
deep exploring with a Clouser Minnow or
Lefty Deceiver does the job - especially at
low tide when the dropoff can be reached.
Further down the river, West Head offers
a great rock fishing ledge, and if variety
is what you want this is the place to
fish. Species include Australian salmon,
flathead, jack mackerel, slimy mackerel,
kingfish, sweep, luderick, wrasse, squid,
cuttlefish, pike, rosy perch, gurnard, couta,
leatherjacket, sharks, garfish, mullet and
more. Tide turns are the best times.
Southerly weather is best as there is
less swell to cope with. West Head is
in a National Park, therefore a National
Park fee will need to be paid and other
requirements may be necessary.
The river from a boat
The best fishing is below Windermere
and Rosevears where the river deepens
somewhat. Once you get to the Batman
Bridge, the fishing changes remarkably.
This section of the river is narrow, deep
and features very strong currents and
tidal flow.
A common belief is that the deep holes in
the river is where all the fish are, however,
the secret to the Tamar is in the shallows.
Water less then 10 metres deep gives up
the most fish. Use some berley and then
drop down some baits, and you never
know what you will pull up.
The most prized fish is snapper, and
perhaps the least loved is the rock cod.
In between these, it is possible to catch a
myriad of fish species.
As you move down towards the heads, the
river opens up and has some shallower
flats - in some places sand bars pop
their heads out of the water at low tide.
Flathead fishing is almost too easy in
these sandy parts of the river, but they are
mostly small.
Lures are worth a try in shallow water for
flathead, and they often turn up better
specimens, while those willing to cast a fly
will have a great time.
Yellowtail kingfish inhabit the lower parts
of the river during summer and autumn
months. Best method is to troll baits
such as small garfish or salmon, livebait
or lures.
Hotspots
Boating Weather
Think SAFETY
Phone BEFORE you go
9955
2555
7755
0555
© Stevens Publishing Pty Ltd. ABN 72 095 217 299 Ph 03 63311278
Southern Tasmania 6233
Northern Tasmania 6323
North-west Tasmania 6498
Eastern Tasmania 6376
Long Reach, Beauty Point
Wharf, all pontoons,
Garden Island (lagoon),
East Arm and Spring Bay.
There are boat ramps
scattered all along the
West Tamar and most of
these are reasonably good.
Some are and difficult at
low tide though. The best
ramps are Beauty Point,
Clarence Point, Kelso and
Sidmouth. On the East
Tamar there are far less
facilities with good ramps
at Low Head, George
Town, Windermere and a
rough ramp at Craigburn.
Going Fishing?
Fish for the Future!
Fish Responsibly - keep
informed with the
Recreational Sea
Fishing Guide and
use a fish
measuring ruler.
Illustration Peter Gouldthorpe
The Guides and fish measuring
rulers are available from all Service Tasmania
outlets and major tackle shops. Information can
also be found by visiting: www.fishing.tas.gov.au
10357GD
Fishing Restrictions in Tasmania
This pamphlet provides only
basic fishing information. For
more detailed information about
marine fishing rules including area
restrictions, size and possession
limits, refer to the Recreational
Sea Fishing Guide and for inland
fishing, to the Tasmanian Inland
Recreational Fishing Code.
These are available from Service
Tasmania outlets and most bait
and tackle shops. They can also
be downloaded at www.fishing.
tas.gov.au or www.ifs.tas.gov.au
respectively.
Rod and Line Fishing
You do not need a licence to fish
with a hook and line in marine
waters, including rod and line and
squid jigs. You can use any number
of lines with up to 5 hooks as long
as you are within 20 metres of your
gear or the lines are attached to the
boat from which you are fishing. A
set line licence is needed to use
a set line which is a dropline or
longline with up to 30 hooks.
Licences for Inland Waters
An Inland Fisheries licence is
required for any fishing in inland
waters which includes some river
mouths and estuaries. Inland waters
and seaward limits are described in
the Recreational Sea Fishing Guide
and the Inland Recreational Fishing
Code.
Licences for Marine Waters
In marine waters a licence is not
required for fishing with a rod and
line, squid jigs, spears, bait traps,
small nets (landing, dip, bait and
cast nets), or collection of small
shellfish such as periwinkles,
oysters, clams, cockles and
mussels. Sea fishing licences are
required when fishing for abalone,
rock lobster and scallop or fishing
with a pot, ring, graball net, mullet
net, beach seine net and set line
(a longline or dropline with up to 30
hooks).
Recreational sea fishing licences
are available from all Service
Tasmania outlets and on the internet
at www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence
Aborigines engaged in aboriginal
fishing activities are exempt from
holding a fishing licence but must
comply with all other fisheries rules.
Useful Contacts
Recreational Sea Fishing ( Wild
Fisheries Management Branch) inc
Fishcare: 6233 7042
www.fishing.tas.gov.au
Inland Fisheries Service:
1300 463 474
www.ifs.tas.gov.au
Marine and Safety Tasmania:
6233 8801
www.mast.tas.gov.au
Marine Police and Fishwatch:
0427 655 557
Bureau of Meterology:
www.bom.gov.au
Bag and Possession Limits
Most bag and possession limits are
personal limits, although boat and on
water limits apply for some species.
Possession limits apply everywhere,
including in the boat, at sea and in
your home.
Fishwise – licence fees are used
to benefit our fisheries
The Fishwise fund is supported by
the sale of recreational sea fishing
licences. It covers the administration
of licences as well as funding
programs that support recreational
fishing. The majority of funding for
this pamphlet is from the Fishwise
Fund. Your sea fishing licence fees
at work!
Seasons and Area Restrictions
Season apply to most inland waters.
In marine waters, closed seasons
and area closure apply to taking
various species and using particular
fishing gear.
Fishcare Volunteers
Fishcare
Volunteers are
enthusiastic
individuals who
give up their
time to educate
members of the
recreational fishing community.
Volunteers are well versed in the
rules relating to recreational marine
fishing and are happy to answer
queries that you may have.
If you are interested in finding out
more about the Fishcare Tasmania
program, please visit our website at
www.fishing.tas.gov.au or call 6233
2033.