Brown Trout Season Opens on 2 August 2025 – take extra care if you are heading out alone.
Solo boating has always been part of trout fishing culture. For many, it’s about peace, solitude or simply convenience. But being alone in a boat, especially in winter, leaves no margin for error.
If you fall in, suffer an injury, or even just lose your footing, there’s no one to help. No one to throw you a rope. No one to raise the alarm. In the best-case scenario, it could be hours before anyone notices you haven’t returned, and many of Tasmania’s inland lakes are remote, with limited access and long emergency response times.
If you’re heading out alone, plan for it. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Wear your life jacket and your kill switch.
Better still, take a mate.
Life Jackets – Are You Wearing the Right One?
Life jackets must meet Australian Standard AS 4758. There are various jackets suitable for different activities.
Level 50S jackets are designed for special use, such as skiing or riding a PWC. They are also permissible on paddle craft. They are not suitable as your main life jacket on a boat.
Level 50 jackets provide buoyancy but no head support and are for smooth water only. These are commonly used for paddling or boating in smooth waters.
Level 100 and 150 jackets are required for sheltered and open waters. They provide head support and high visibility.
Inflatable jackets are often rated Level 150 or higher, but must be regularly serviced by the owner in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. They are not permitted for use on personal watercraft (PWC). Proof of service may be required during compliance checks.
If in doubt, ask a boat safe partner or contact MAST. Choosing the right jacket can save your life.
Safer Navigation in the River Tamar
Eight abandoned and derelict vessels have recently been removed from the River Tamar, improving navigational safety and access.
Over time, these vessels posed serious risks to other vessels, and their removal has reduced the risk of collision and improved navigational safety in the area.
Mooring Permit Reminder
A reminder to all mooring holders that permits operate on a common expiry date of 30 June each year.
If you haven’t already renewed, please do so as soon as possible. Moorings without a current permit may be deemed abandoned and could be scheduled for removal.
If your details have changed or you no longer require the mooring, please contact MAST to update your records or discuss surrendering the site.
Keeping your details up to date helps ensure safer and more efficient management of mooring areas across the state.
Infrastructure update
Lewisham
The construction of the walkway extension on the northern side of the boat ramp, along with a new walkway on the southern side, is progressing well and is expected to be finished by the end of August.
Catamaran
The ageing pontoon system has been replaced with a like-for-like new structure. The aluminium gangway has been removed and replaced with additional pontoon modules to allow better access at high tide.
Port Sorell
A contractor has been appointed to carry out dredging works just offshore from the boat ramp to restore access to the main channel across a wider tidal range. This work is scheduled for completion in August.
Binalong Bay
The boat ramp was extended by four metres to improve launching and retrieval at lower tides. These works were completed in June.
