Fishing Great Lake & Miena
The lake holds dense populations of wild Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, supported by cold, oxygen-rich alpine water. Unlike many Tasmanian lagoons, Great Lake remains open to angling year-round under Inland Fisheries Service regulations, making it a vital winter trout venue. Severe high-country weather and freezing winds can sweep across the open basin quickly, requiring anglers to prepare for rapid temperature drops.
Land-based fishers can work miles of accessible rocky shoreline around Miena, Liawenee, and Swan Bay. Casting wet fly patterns, small metal spinners, or drifted earthworms into foaming windward shorelines produces aggressive strikes from feeding trout. Walking the rocky points at dawn casting 70mm minnow lures yields quality Rainbow Trout feeding close to the basalt boulders.
Boaters and kayak fishers navigate wide open water, rocky reef bars, and drowned timber margins across the northern and southern arms. Slow-trolling small hardbody lures or winged spinners behind lead-core line at 3km/h along deep rock drop-offs is the premier method for locating trout. Drift-casting wet flies or small soft plastics over shallow weed beds during polaroiding sunshine delivers sight-fishing action.
Landbased
- MIENA DAM WALL FORESHORE: Basalt rock shoreline near the dam wall offering deep land-based casting into clear water. Cast 7g to 12g metal spinners or minnow lures far out into the wind-chop for wild Brown Trout. Early morning light windows before heavy sun penetration yield active feeding rises.
- LIAWENEE CANAL EXCLUSION MARGINS: High-nutrient zone where the spawning canal flows into the northern end of Great Lake. Cast wet flies or small minnows well outside the marked boundary for big Rainbow Trout. Note that fishing within 50 meters of the canal inflow mouth is strictly prohibited by IFS rules to protect spawning trout.
- SWAN BAY SHORELINE: Sheltered bay featuring shallow basalt rocks and patchy weed beds close to shore. Walk the bank during sunny afternoons casting small 2-inch soft plastics or wet flies for cruising trout. Polaroiding glasses are essential for spotting fish feeding in the shallow margins.
- CRAMPS BAY ROCKS: Elevated rock ledges offering direct casting into deep water channels. Set up bank rod stands with fresh earthworms or yabbies on running sinker rigs for Brown Trout. High water levels bring feeding fish right up against the rocky shelf.
- BRANDUM BAY FORESHORE: Wide gravel and rock beach flanked by tea-tree bushes along the western shore. Cast small hardbody minnows parallel to the shoreline during windy days when waves churn up aquatic insects. Sturdy wading boots and thermal clothing are mandatory for cold high-country conditions.
Offshore
- TODDS CORNER WEED FLATS: Shallow bay network in 3 to 6 meters depth holding dense submerged weed beds. Drift slowly across the clear weed gaps casting small 60mm shallow-diving hardbodies or soft plastics for wild Brown Trout. Using an electric trolling motor allows stealthy positioning over feeding fish.
- MACLANACHANS POINT REEF: Submerged basalt rock bar extending far out into the main basin in 8 to 15 meters depth. Troll small winged spinners on lead-core lines at 3km/h along the rock edges for schooling Rainbow Trout. Keep a close watch on your depth sounder to avoid snagging shallow reef pinnacles.
- CHRISTMAS BAY DROP-OFF: Deep water basin where shallow clay banks plunge sharply into 20 meters depth. Vertical jig 15g soft vibes or metal blades straight down along the steep ledge for schooling trout. Once you mark fish on sonar, drop anchor or use electric anchor-lock to stay on the school.
- LIAWENEE BAYS DRIFT: Wide open water stretch off the northern shore exposed to prevailing westerly winds. Drift-cast heavy wet flies or small minnow lures ahead of the drifting boat into wave troughs during overcast weather. Maintaining a steady drift with a drogue ensures natural lure presentation.
- NORTHERN ARM CANAL MARGINS: Deep channel drop-off near the water intake structures holding cool current flow. Troll deep-diving hardbody lures at slow speed along the channel margin for large Brown Trout. The current flow concentrates baitfish and triggers active feeding windows.
Hot Spots
- Miena Foreshore: Central town access providing comfortable rock casting for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.
- Liawenee Bay Margins: Productive lake shoreline outside the 50m canal sanctuary zone holding trophy Rainbow Trout.
- Todds Corner: Shallow weed-rich bay famous for polaroiding sight-casting and light spinning.
- Maclanachans Point Reef: Submerged basalt rock structure holding dense schools of trolling trout.
- Swan Bay: Sheltered high-country bay offering exceptional land-based fly fishing and lure casting.
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 alpine 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
- Swan Bay Boat Ramp, Great Lake:
Swan Bay Boat Ramp is located off Great Lake Road at Swan Bay (Miena) on the southern shore of Great Lake, managed by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS). The facility features a concrete launching ramp equipped with a boarding pontoon, providing reliable deep-water vessel access into the main basin. Amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, and nearby hotel and fuel services.
- Haddens Bay Boat Ramp, Great Lake:
Haddens Bay Boat Ramp is located off Highland Lakes Road along the eastern shore of Great Lake. The facility features a concrete launching ramp slab servicing the central and eastern bays and rocky reef channels. Amenities include unpaved car-trailer parking and angler information boards.
- Liawenee Boat Ramp, Great Lake:
Liawenee Boat Ramp is located off Marlborough Road near the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) field station at Liawenee on the northern shore of Great Lake. The facility features dual concrete launching lanes serviced by a pontoon boarding jetty, providing direct access to the northern arm. Facilities include a sealed car-trailer carpark and public restrooms.
- Cramps Bay Boat Ramp, Great Lake:
Cramps Bay Boat Ramp is located off Highland Lakes Road on the eastern shoreline of Great Lake. The facility consists of a concrete launching ramp slab servicing the eastern bays and rocky reef channels. Amenities include unpaved trailer parking and basic shore access.
Bait and Tackle
- Central Highlands General Store & Tackle: 55-57 Great Lake Rd, Miena TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6259 8149
- BCF Launceston: 2/120 Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows TAS 7250 - Ph: (03) 6344 1100
- Caltex Launceston South (24/7): 177 Wellington St, Launceston TAS 7250 - Ph: (03) 6331 4422
Basecamp & Accom
- Great Lake Hotel & Cabins: 3096 Marlborough Hwy, Miena TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6236 4000
- Central Highlands Lodge: 20 Cider Gum Rd, Miena TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6259 8177
- Miena Village Cabins & Caravan Park: 18 Cider Gum Rd, Miena TAS 7030 - Ph: (03) 6259 8149
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) / Tasmania Police Miena: Great Lake Rd, Miena TAS 7030 - Ph: 1300 135 513 / (03) 6259 8120 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
