Lake
St Clair is within the National Park area and a Parks entry permit
is needed to access the waters here. Permits are available at
all Service Tasmania outlets and at the park visitors centre at
Lake St Clair. The main lake is a clear, deep water with some
of the most magnificent scenery in Tasmania however it is not
recognized as a great trout water but has good beetle, polarizing
and wind lane fishing during the summer months.
It is also suited to deep trolling methods. Several small rivers
enter the lake and these can provide good lure and fly fishing
depending on water flows which can be heavy during wet periods.
A tourist boat services the North end of the Lake which gives
anglers access to Narcissus Bay and the Narcissus river. This
is also the main exit point for walker doing the overland Cradle
to St Clair walk.
The main attraction for trout fishing here is St Clair lagoon
on the South end which had good foot access. It is part lake and
part river where water from the main lake flows out over a shallow
basin to form the headwater of the Derwent River. This very shallow
water is most suited to fly fishing. It provides some good early
season wet fly fishing but had sensational dry fly fishing during
the early and mid summer periods.
The main channels are clear running water where polaroiding trout
up to 2lbs as they feed in the shallow runs provided some fantastic
fly fishing. Also in Spring when the margins flood, wet fly fishing
in the Tee trees can be worth trying.
Fishing
Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Also Climbing Galaxias and Spotted
Galaxias.
Boating
Boat launching is permitted at Cynthia Bay.
Camping
Camping is perimtted at Cynthia Bay. Huts are also located at
Echo Point and Narcussus Bay.
