Fishing Arthurs Lake
IFS fisheries data confirms that Brown Trout are the single trout species present in Arthurs Lake, thriving amidst vast shallow weed beds, flooded dead gum timber, and intricate island channels. Cold, fertile water fosters massive hatches of Mayflies and caddis, driving intense surface feeding during summer months. Anglers must hold a valid Inland Fisheries Service Angling Licence and observe official highland trout season dates.
Land-based fishers can work accessible shorelines around Pumphouse Bay, Flintstone, and Jonah Bay camping reserves. Casting wet flies, small metal spinners, or live mudeyes under floats into shallow weed gaps produces steady catches of wild Brown Trout. Walking the timbered shorelines at dawn casting small hardbody lures parallel to flooded tree stumps yields aggressive strikes.
Boaters and kayak fishers navigate extensive drowned timber fields, shallow weed beds, and rocky channels across Cow Simp and Hydro Bay. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures or winged spinners at 3km/h along timber margins is a proven method for covering water. Electric trolling motors allow anglers to stealthily hold position while fly casting or pitch-spinning lures straight into flooded tree pockets.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- PUMPHOUSE BAY FORESHORE: Grassy parkland featuring accessible clay banks and flooded tree stumps. Cast unweighted earthworms or live mudeyes under a quill float into clear sand gaps in the weed for wild Brown Trout. Early morning light windows before wind chop disturbs the water yield active rises.
- FLINTSTONE ROCKS: Basalt rock point offering elevated land-based casting into deep water. Cast 7g metal spinners or 60mm minnow lures far out past the weed line for feeding trout. High water levels bring fish right up against the rocky shelf.
- JONAH BAY CAMPING BANK: Sheltered bay shoreline flanked by tea-tree bushes and clear sand pockets. Walk the bank during sunny afternoon hours casting small 2-inch soft plastics for cruising Brown Trout. Wearing polarized sunglasses is essential for visual sight-casting.
- COW SIMP TIMBER EDGE: Accessible shoreline featuring dense standing dead timber close to the water's edge. Cast small hardbody lures parallel to submerged log laydowns at dusk for active feeding trout. Sturdy boots and caution are required when navigating marshy shore clay.
- HOUSE BAY WEED MARGINS: Shallow weed-rich cove offering quiet bank casting away from main boat ramps. Float small earthworms under a bobber float near overhanging vegetation for Brown Trout. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
Offshore
- COW SIMP TIMBER FIELDS: Dense flooded red gum forest sitting in 3 to 6 meters depth across the western arm. Cast 60mm shallow-diving hardbodies, wet flies, or soft plastics directly against dead tree trunks for wild Brown Trout. Using an electric motor allows stealthy navigation through timber gaps.
- HYDRO BAY WEED MEADOWS: Wide shallow basin holding dense submerged ribbon weed in 2 to 5 meters depth. Drift across clear weed pockets casting small winged spinners or soft plastics for schooling Brown Trout. Maintaining a steady drift with a sea anchor ensures natural lure presentation.
- JONAH BAY CHANNEL LEDGES: Submerged channel drop-off where shallow weed shelves plunge into 8 meters depth. Troll small hardbody lures at 3km/h along the channel edge for large Brown Trout. Keep your lure swimming just above the bottom weed growth to trigger strikes.
- CREAMY BAY WEED FLATS: Expansive shallow weed meadow sitting in 2 to 5 meters depth along the eastern arm. Drift-cast wet flies or small minnow lures ahead of the boat during Mayfly hatches for surface-feeding Brown Trout. Clear water conditions deliver world-class sight-fishing opportunities.
- MORASS BAY MARGINS: Shallow weed-rich bay holding flooded timber stumps and clear sand channels in 3 to 6 meters depth. Cast small 60mm shallow-diving hardbodies or soft plastics parallel to timber edges for cruising Brown Trout. Electric trolling motors allow quiet stealth positioning through the weed gaps.
Hot Spots
- Pumphouse Bay: Accessible camping foreshore offering premier land-based float fishing for wild Brown Trout.
- Cow Simp Timber: Drowned red gum forest world-famous for boat casting and trolling for big Brown Trout.
- Hydro Bay Flats: Vast shallow weed meadow producing exceptional summer Mayfly hatches and surface trout feeding.
- Jonah Bay Channel: Submerged channel drop-off holding large trout along deep weed margins.
- Flintstone Points: Rocky headland providing productive land-based spinning into deep water.
Local Bait Tips
- MUDEYES (DRAGONFLY NYMPHS): Collected by sweeping a fine-mesh land net through submerged aquatic vegetation in quiet dam bays. Keep moist on damp lake weed in a cool shade box. Hook gently through the thorax as the ultimate float bait for wild Brown Trout.
- SCRUB WORMS: Dug from damp clay mountain riverbanks and garden soil following rain. Store in cool, damp shredded newspaper or peat moss in a ventilated worm container for bottom ledger fishing.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Trapped in shallow dam bays using legal open-top drop nets baited with fresh meat, strictly avoiding illegal opera house traps. Store in a cool container on damp sponge to keep them lively.
- GRASSHOPPERS: Collected along grassy mountain banks during warm summer afternoons using a light hand net. Thread carefully onto fine wire hooks for surface float fishing along windward shorelines.
Boat Ramps
- Pumphouse Boat Ramp, Arthurs Lake:
Pumphouse Boat Ramp is located off Lake River Road at Pumphouse Bay on Arthurs Lake, managed by Hydro Tasmania and the Inland Fisheries Service. The regional facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon, offering excellent vessel launching into the main lake basin. Amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, and adjacent camping reserves.
- Jonah Bay Boat Ramp, Arthurs Lake:
Jonah Bay Boat Ramp is located off Jonah Bay Road at the Jonah Bay Recreation Area on Arthurs Lake. The facility features a concrete launching ramp servicing the eastern arms and drowned red gum timber fields. Amenities include unpaved car-trailer parking, public restrooms, and sheltered bush camping grounds.
Bait and Tackle
- Arthurs Lake Store & Tackle: 111 Arthurs Lake Rd, Arthurs Lake TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6259 8188
- BCF Launceston: 2/120 Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows TAS 7250 - Ph: (03) 6344 1100
- BP Truckstop Brighton (24/7): 19 Midland Hwy, Brighton TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6268 1234
Basecamp & Accom
- Flintstone Caravan Park & Cabins: 111 Arthurs Lake Rd, Arthurs Lake TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6259 8188
- Jonah Bay Campground: Jonah Bay Rd, Arthurs Lake TAS 7030 - Ph: 1300 135 513
- Pumphouse Bay Campground: Lake River Rd, Arthurs Lake TAS 7030 - Ph: 1300 135 513
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) / Hydro Tasmania: Arthurs Lake Rd, Arthurs Lake TAS 7030 - Ph: 1300 135 513 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
