Fishing Lake Pedder & Lake Gordon
IFS regulations classify Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon strictly as Artificials Only waters; bait fishing of any kind is completely illegal. The lakes hold massive populations of fast-growing wild Brown Trout, supported by tannin-stained wilderness water and flooded button-grass plains. Due to their immense size and remote high-country location, sudden weather changes and heavy wilderness rains require boaters to exercise extreme navigation care.
Land-based fishers can work accessible shorelines around Strathgordon, McPartlan Pass, and Teds Beach camping reserves. Casting wet flies, small metal spinners, or 60mm minnow lures into shallow quartzite sand gaps yields fast action on wild Brown Trout. Walking the button-grass margins during high water periods allows anglers to target trout feeding in flooded land vegetation using artificial lures.
Boaters and kayak fishers explore miles of drowned timber bays, steep mountain gorges, and deep submerged river channels across both storage basins. Trolling small winged spinners or shallow-diving minnows at 3km/h along flooded tree lines is the premier method for covering expansive water. Electric trolling motors or careful paddling allow anglers to fish quiet wilderness bays away from wind chop.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- MCPARTLAN PASS FORESHORE: Accessible quartzite gravel beach on Lake Pedder featuring clear water gaps and flooded button-grass. Cast 7g metal spinners or minnow lures far out into the wave wash for wild Brown Trout. Early morning light windows deliver active surface rises as trout feed close to shore.
- TEDS BEACH CAMPING BANK: Grassy reserve shoreline at Teds Beach offering comfortable bank casting into deep water. Cast small 60mm shallow-diving hardbodies or wet fly patterns for cruising Brown Trout. Note that bait fishing is strictly prohibited; artificial lures and flies only.
- STRATHGORDON TOWN BAY: Sheltered bay near the town precinct featuring steep granite rocks and clear sand holes. Cast small 50mm minnow lures or wet flies parallel to the rock ledges for wild Brown Trout. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
- SERPENTINE DAM FORESHORE: Secluded dam entrance featuring tannin-stained current flow and clear water gaps. Cast small soft plastics or spinnerbaits along the clay bank for Brown Trout. Sturdy boots and caution are required when navigating marshy clay banks.
- KNOB BASIN FORESHORE: Accessible granite and gravel shoreline near the Lake Gordon launch area offering deep land-based casting. Cast 12g to 20g metal spinners or minnow lures far out into the wave-wash for fast-swimming Brown Trout. Wear non-slip rubber boots and take care navigating loose gravel slopes.
Offshore
- MCPARTLAN ARMS TIMBER FIELDS: Vast flooded timber fields sitting in 4 to 10 meters depth across Lake Pedder. Troll small winged spinners or 60mm minnow lures at 3km/h close to timber trunks for wild Brown Trout. Using shallow-diving lures prevents snagging submerged tree tops.
- GORDON RIVER SUBMERGED CHANNEL: Deep drowned river channel cutting through Lake Gordon in 15 to 30 meters depth. Troll small hardbody lures on lead-core lines along the channel drop-off for large Brown Trout. Keep a close watch on your depth sounder to track bottom contours.
- SERPENTINE ARM BAY MARGINS: Sheltered wilderness bays holding dense submerged timber and button-grass flats in 3 to 8 meters depth. Cast small soft plastics or wet flies into timber gaps using an electric trolling motor for Brown Trout. The tannin water provides cover for fish feeding close to the surface.
- BOYDES COVE WEED BEDS: Wide shallow bay featuring clean sand gaps and ribbon weed patches in 2 to 5 meters depth. Drift slowly across clear water gaps casting small minnow lures for schooling Brown Trout. Maintaining a steady drift with a sea anchor ensures natural lure presentation.
- HUMBOLDT ARM DEEP BASIN: Deep open water stretch surrounded by high mountain peaks reaching extreme depths over 40 meters. Vertical jig 15g metal blades or soft vibes straight down along deep rock faces for Brown Trout. Once you mark fish on sonar, drop anchor or use electric anchor-lock to fish straight down.
Hot Spots
- McPartlan Pass: Accessible quartzite foreshore offering premier land-based casting for wild Brown Trout.
- McPartlan Arms Timber: Massive flooded forest famous for boat trolling and light lure spinning for trout.
- Gordon River Channel: Deep submerged river valley producing large wild Brown Trout on lead-core lines.
- Teds Beach: Scenic foreshore reserve providing comfortable lure casting and wilderness camping.
- Boydes Cove: Sheltered sandy bay offering world-class sight-casting over shallow weed beds.
Local Bait Tips
- ARTIFICIAL LURE SELECTION: Note that Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon are designated Artificials Only waters under IFS rules; bait fishing of any kind is strictly illegal. Use small 50mm to 70mm minnow hardbodies in trout patterns to mimic native galaxias prey.
- FLY PATTERNS: Cast Woolly Buggers, Fur Flies, and Red-spotted Nymphs along windward quartzite shorelines. During summer afternoons, twitch foam beetle and hopper patterns over flooded button-grass margins.
- METAL SPINNERS: Cast 5g to 10g inline spinners or bright winged spinners through wave troughs along shallow gravel points. Retrieve slowly near submerged timber to trigger aggressive territorial strikes.
Boat Ramps
- McPartlan Pass Boat Ramp, Lake Pedder:
McPartlan Pass Boat Ramp is located off Gordon River Road at McPartlan Pass on Lake Pedder within the Southwest National Park, managed by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and Hydro Tasmania. The facility features a concrete launching ramp providing direct vessel access into the flooded quartzite arms and wilderness timber bays. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, and picnic areas.
Bait and Tackle
- Pedder Wilderness Lodge Tackle Kiosk: 10 Strachan St, Strathgordon TAS 7139 - Ph: (03) 6280 1166
- BCF Hobart: 181 Campbell St, Hobart TAS 7000 - Ph: (03) 6231 6600
- Shell Coles Express New Norfolk (24/7): 42-44 Montagu St, New Norfolk TAS 7140 - Ph: (03) 6261 2200
Basecamp & Accom
- Pedder Wilderness Lodge: 10 Strachan St, Strathgordon TAS 7139 - Ph: (03) 6280 1166
- Teds Beach Campground: Gordon River Rd, Lake Pedder TAS 7139 - Ph: (03) 6280 1166
- Edgar Dam Campground: Scotts Peak Rd, Lake Pedder TAS 7139 - Ph: 1300 135 513
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: Hydro Tasmania / Parks & Wildlife TAS / TasPolice: Gordon River Rd, Strathgordon TAS 7139 - Ph: 1300 135 513 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
