Arthurs Lake was formed by damming the upper Lake River. The new storage covered Blue Lake, Sand Lake and the Morass Marsh, leaving bays and drowned timber that still shape the fishing.

Water is pumped into Yingina / Great Lake for hydro-electric generation at Poatina. The level can change enough to expose shallow hazards or cover fresh ground, so last trip’s route is never a safe depth guide.

The Morass timber gives trout cover and gives you a clear edge to search. Elsewhere, read the points, bays and wind before committing to a long drift. A sheltered launch can still lead to rough open water.

Brown trout are the only trout IFS records here. The population sustains itself through spawning runs in creeks entering the northern and western shores.

IFS describes the fishery as stable and reports an average trout size between 400 grams and one kilogram. Its long-running angler survey averages two fish per angler per day, though that is context rather than a promise for a particular session.

The clearest fly-fishing event is the Cowpaddock Bay mayfly period from November to February. The IFS listing also describes polaroiding cruisers, galaxiid feeders and boat-based loch-style fishing. Carry a dry-fly box and a small set of searching wets.

Early in the season, start with a wet or streamer and cover water near shore. Search outside drowned timber and along the first useful depth change. Low light can bring fish close enough that wading straight in costs you the first chance.

From November through February, Cowpaddock Bay is the authority’s named mayfly option. Wait long enough to see whether trout are taking nymphs, emergers or full duns before changing flies.

Bright, calm weather creates the better sight-fishing window. Wind or poor light shifts the advantage back to a searching wet, but it also narrows the margin for a safe boat return.

For a bank session, use a five or six weight with a floating line and begin by looking along the edge. A size 12 to 16 nymph or emerger covers the early rise. Change to a visible upright dry when trout take insects from the surface with a repeatable rhythm.

Keep the first cast ahead of the fish and let it close the distance. If a trout refuses twice, rest it or change the angle before reaching for another pattern.

From a boat, set the drift to finish in open water. Fish a small streamer or a team of wets outside the Morass timber and vary the pause. Move after two clean drifts without a take or follow.

Carry forceps and a soft net. Wet your hands, support the fish in the water and release it once it can hold itself upright. Check, clean and dry boots, waders, boat and trailer before the next water.

Reach Arthurs Lake from the B51 via Poatina in the north or from the A5 to the south. IFS lists four launching areas: Jonah Bay, Pumphouse Bay, Arthurs Dam and the western end of Morass Bay at Yangeena.

The formal campgrounds are at Pumphouse Bay and Jonah Bay, and fees apply. Check signs and ramp conditions when you arrive; an exposed track or shoreline is not permission to drive or camp.

The lake can become rough with little warning. Wear a fitted life jacket, keep enough daylight and fuel for an early return, and come ashore when whitecaps begin building.

Low water exposes rocks and drowned timber. The five-knot limit applies north of the transmission lines across Cowpaddock Bay. Keep outside the navigation exclusion areas around the dam, Pump House and spillway, and slow down whenever propeller wash turns brown.

The current 2026–27 IFS listing permits bait, lures and flies at Arthurs Lake. It gives a season from 1 August 2026 to 2 May 2027, so this is not an all-year fishery.

Every water flowing into Arthurs Lake is closed to fishing. The closure also covers the lake within 50 metres of each inflow.

Read the IFS Arthurs Lake listing before fishing. Check the Tasmanian Inland Fishing Code too. Confirm the current size and bag limits, licence position and any temporary notice.