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Tagged trout in Yingina/Great Lake can net fishers a cool $25,000, marking start of brown trout season

Tasmania’s trout fishers have more than just bragging rights up for grabs this season — there’s a cool $25,000 swimming around in Yingina / Great Lake.

A $25,000 tagged trout is up for grabs in Yingina/Great Lake. Picture: Samuel Shelley/Tourism Tasmania
A $25,000 tagged trout is up for grabs in Yingina/Great Lake. Picture: Samuel Shelley/Tourism Tasmania

Tasmania’s trout fishers have more than just bragging rights up for grabs this season — there’s a cool $25,000 swimming around in Yingina / Great Lake.

The Inland Fisheries Service’s popular Tagged Trout promotion returns this weekend, marking the start of the 2025-26 brown trout season.

Thirty specially tagged fish have been released across 13 inland waterways, each carrying a $5000 reward — but one fish will net a far bigger prize.

IFS Director Ryan Wilkinson said there’s a new twist this year: “There will be 30 tagged trout that can be found in 13 of our state’s inland waterways from this weekend,” he said.

A $25,000 tagged trout is up for grabs in Yingina/Great Lake. Picture: Samuel Shelley/Tourism Tasmania
A $25,000 tagged trout is up for grabs in Yingina/Great Lake. Picture: Samuel Shelley/Tourism Tasmania

“These trout all have a $5000 prize attached to them, however, the first tagged trout caught from Yingina / Great Lake on or after (Saturday) August 2, 2025, will take home a grand prize of $25,000!”

The promotion is designed to boost participation in the state’s beloved sport.

“We wanted to up the ante this season to further promote and encourage more people to cast a line and enjoy all the perks trout fishing has to offer,” Mr Wilkinson said.

He said angling also provided a social and economic boost, getting people outdoors and into Tasmania’s regional communities.

Eligible waterways include well-known spots like Arthurs Lake, Lake Sorell, Bradys Lake and the River Derwent.

Anglers need a valid freshwater licence (except under-14s with permission), and catches must be reported with photo evidence within 72 hours.

Previous years’ tagged fish won’t count — but this season’s could be a jackpot.

Originally published as Tagged trout in Yingina/Great Lake can net fishers a cool $25,000, marking start of brown trout season

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/tagged-trout-in-yinginagreat-lake-can-net-fishers-a-cool-25000-marking-start-of-brown-trout-season/news-story/dd78dc3f0f26d49dffecc629dda5565d