Nine Tasmanian lakes are now home to 16 ‘golden’ brown trout, each carrying a $5,000 reward for the lucky angler who reels them in.
The initiative, part of an $80,000 program by the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS), aims to lure people into freshwater angling across the state.
Two tagged fish are currently swimming in Lakes Mackintosh, Rowallan, Huntsman, yingina / Great Lake, Bradys, Arthurs and Sorell.
Craigbourne Lake and Lake Leake have just one each.
Anglers have until the end of July in 2027 to land a winning catch.
“We know from the newly-released IMAS recreational fishing survey that more than one in four Tasmanians, or more than 130,000 people, go fishing around our coastline and on inland waters,” Minister Eric Abetz said.
“Last year Tasmania’s world-class inland fishery attracted over 26,000 licensed anglers and generated considerable economic activity in regional areas.”
To claim a prize, anglers must hold a current freshwater angling license and provide photo evidence of their catch, with the tag intact, to the IFS.
The exact time and date of capture must also be recorded.
Anglers who catch a trout tagged for previous promotions will not be eligible to claim a prize, as those promotions have now expired.
The IFS plans to release additional tagged trout in the 2025–26 and 2026–27 angling seasons.
