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SmithtonSmithton is positioned on the Duck River on the

southern edge Duck Bay. The recreational angler hasmany shing opportunities. Shore based anglers havethe potential to catch silver trevally, large fathead,Australian salmon, tailor and more oten than notsea-run trout. These sh can be ound right in

Smithton shing rom either the reclaimed land onthe western shore or around the boat ramp on theeastern shore. Fish can be caught rom around thisarea, by spinning, fy shing or bait shing.

For those wanting sh Duck Bay estuary, a boatis necessary. From October to early April Australiansalmon are readily caught either by trolling or baitshing. With the estuary being basically two largesand fats east and west o the channel, there isgreat opportunity or the salt water fy shers.Polaroiding big fathead over the sand is a antasticsport, these sh can also be taken with larger biblures, sot plastic lures and bait. These large fatheadand Australian salmon may also be caught in theshallow waters o most bays and inlets on theincoming tides.

From the oyster leases ‘The Duck’ continuesurther out through a airly narrow mouth. Nearthe mouth, trolling or couta, pike, Australian salmonand tailor with wobblers, fies and surace lures, pick up quite a ew sh. Good catches o gummy shark and elephant sh on bait, are taken commonly andrecently King George whiting have also been caughtin good numbers.

The mouth access by shore can only be made viaSeven Mile Beach on the eastern side (4WD Track Only). O the Duck River mouth lays 4 large islandsall o which hold a plentiul number o sh, all yearround. Boat access is necessary to these islands.Recreational diving around this area is also popularwith rock lobster, green and black lipped abalonebeing taken during the open season.

Fishing Smithton and Stanley

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The whitebait run up the Duck River is aroundthe months o October - January. During theirseason, they are airly heavily shed. With thewhitebait, sea-run trout and Australian Salmon moveurther up into the tidal area. Small lures and fiesare a good option or snagging these sh.

Smithton snapper can be ound around oyster

beds and oshore rees and shale substrates. Anchoryour boat when these grounds are ound, use berleyto bring the sh on the bite and use either bait orsot plastics to catch these premium sh.

StanleyStanley whar is likely the most popular

recreational shing spot on the north westcoast. It boasts good catches o snotty trevally(blue warehou), Australian salmon, couta, mullet,leatherjacket, squid and even the odd yellowtailkingsh, snapper and shark. The snotty trevallyrequent this area rom December through to Aprilcan be most productive. It is not uncommon tosee anglers shoulder to shoulder on the whar. Thetrevally run along the edge o the whar in largeschools, multiple hook ups can see 20 or 30 anglersall hooked up at once, making it very interestingwhen it comes to landing these sh.

A strong rod 2.5-3.5 m long with a reasonablylight tip is very eective, Hi Vis monolament line7-9 kg must also be used, this is to be tied to smallrunning sinker rig. Best bait or trevally is uncookedchicken on size 1 or 2 chemically sharpened hook.Fish with the drag locked up completely, because i ash runs you will tangle with other anglers and endup in an almighty mess.

Other shing around Stanley includes Godrey’sBeach on the northern shore, where good catches

o Australian Salmon, fathead and eventailor are caught both rom thebeach or rocks.

East and Western inlets arealso popular shing places. Sincethe ban o netting in thesespots shing has improved, withAustralian salmon, founder,couta, pike, gummy shark and BIGfathead being the main targets.Spinning or bait shing orthese particular species on theincoming tide is popular.

Boat shing around Stanley area is very good.Driting Sawyer Bay or oshore is very eective.Trolling lures such as wobblers, large fies andbib lures can produce good catches o, Australiansalmon, couta and pike.

Boats can readily catch blue whaler and short nmako sharks, again berley is the key and baits must

be placed in the berley trail suspended under foatsor balloons.

Targetting these sharks is not or the novice it issuggested that you speak with local shing tackleoutlets or the best tackle, baits and berley.

Boating Weather 

Think SAFETYPhone BEFORE you go

Southern Tasmania 6233 9955

Northern Tasmania 6323 2555

North-west Tasmania 6498 7755

Eastern Tasmania 6376 0555

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Fishing Restrictions in TasmaniaThis pamphlet provides onlybasic fishing information. For more detailed information aboutmarine fishing rules including arearestrictions, size and possession

limits, refer to the RecreationalSea Fishing Guide and for inlandfishing, to the Tasmanian InlandRecreational Fishing Code.These are available from ServiceTasmania outlets and most baitand tackle shops. They can alsobe downloaded at www.fishing.tas.gov.au or www.ifs.tas.gov.aurespectively.

The Guides and sh measuring 

rulers are a vailable from all Ser vice Tasmania

outlets and major tackle shops. Information can

also be found by visiting: www.fshing.tas.gov.au

Going Fishing?Fish for the Future!

Fish Responsibly - keep

informed with the

Recreational Sea

Fishing Guide and

use a fsh

measuring ruler.

I  l  l   u s  t r  a t i   o nP  e  t  e r  G  o  ul   d  t h  o r  p  e 

1  0  3  5 7  G D 

Fishcare VolunteersFishcareVolunteers areenthusiasticindividuals whogive up their time to educatemembers of therecreational fishing community.

Volunteers are well versed in therules relating to recreational marinefishing and are happy to answer queries that you may have.

If you are interested in finding outmore about the Fishcare Tasmaniaprogram, please visit our website atwww.fishing.tas.gov.au or call 62332033.

Useful ContactsRecreational Sea Fishing ( WildFisheries Management Branch) inc

Fishcare: 6233 7042www.fishing.tas.gov.au

Inland Fisheries Service:1300 463 474www.ifs.tas.gov.au

Marine and Safety Tasmania:6233 8801www.mast.tas.gov.au

Marine Police and Fishwatch:0427 655 557

Bureau of Meterology:www.bom.gov.au

Fishwise – licence fees are usedto benefit our fisheriesThe Fishwise fund is supported bythe sale of recreational sea fishing

licences. It covers the administrationof licences as well as fundingprograms that support recreationalfishing. The majority of funding for this pamphlet is from the FishwiseFund. Your sea fishing licence feesat work!

Rod and Line FishingYou do not need a licence to fishwith a hook and line in marinewaters, including rod and lineand squid jigs. You can use anynumber of lines with up to 5 hooksas long as you are within 20metres of your gear or the lines areattached to the boat from which

you are fishing. A set line licenceis needed to use a set line which isa dropline or longline with up to 30hooks.

Licences for Inland Waters An Inland Fisheries licence isrequired for any fishing in inland

waters which includes some river mouths and estuaries. Inland watersand seaward limits are described inthe Recreational Sea Fishing Guideand the Inland Recreational Fishing

Code.Licences for Marine WatersIn marine waters a licence is notrequired for fishing with a rod andline, squid jigs, spears, bait traps,small nets (landing, dip, bait andcast nets), or collection of smallshellfish such as periwinkles,oysters, clams, cockles andmussels. Sea fishing licences arerequired when fishing for abalone,rock lobster and scallop or fishing

with a pot, ring, graball net, mulletnet, beach seine net and set line(a longline or dropline with up to 30hooks).

Recreational sea fishing licences areavailable from all Service Tasmaniaoutlets and on the internet at www.fishing.tas.gov.au/licence

 Aborigines engaged in aboriginalfishing activities are exempt fromholding a fishing licence but mustcomply with all other fisheries rules.

Bag and Possession LimitsMost bag and possession limits arepersonal limits, although boat and onwater limits apply for some species.Possession limits apply everywhere,including in the boat, at sea and inyour home.

Seasons and Area RestrictionsSeason apply to most inland waters.In marine waters, closed seasonsand area closure apply to takingvarious species and using particular 

fishing gear.