Lake King William is a Tasmanian trout lake, and its fishing belongs mostly to brown trout: a naturally self-sustaining population, with rainbows a small part of the catch.
Plan the trip around spring. FlyLife's writers describe the lake rising over its floodplains then, with trout moving into flooded grass and shallow margins. Bedlam Bay, Charles Bay and Bethune Bay are named as prime tailing water.
Start at the northern end. The Lyell Highway near Derwent Bridge is the way in, with tracks toward Bedlam Bay, the Derwent inflows and Guelph Basin.
Read the current Tasmanian Inland Fisheries Service guide before you go.
Water and habitat
In spring the lake rises over its floodplains, and FlyLife's writers describe trout moving into flooded grass and shallow margins. Look at how far the water has come up before you choose a bay.
Fish and forage
Brown trout dominate, and rainbow trout make up a small proportion of the catch. A published flies table also lists a Carrot Fly in sizes 12 to 14 for both trout.
When to fish it
Spring is the headline. As the lake rises over its floodplains, trout are described as moving into flooded grass and shallow margins, and the bays named above fish as tailing water.
How to fish it
This is a guide's read rather than a record. When trout are working flooded margins, look before you cast: walk slowly along the edge and watch for tails and wakes, because fish in shallow water tend to see you before you see them. The Carrot Fly in size 12 to 14 is a fair fly to carry for either trout.
Access and safety
The northern end is reached from the Lyell Highway near Derwent Bridge, with tracks toward Bedlam Bay, the Derwent inflows and Guelph Basin. Harbacks Road gives 2WD access to the western Guelph Basin, and a rough 4WD track continues to Navarre Inlet. Treat this as a description of the roads, not a statement of permission, and respect any gate or sign you meet.
As on any lake, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, carry water and a first-aid kit, and keep an eye on the weather.
Regulations
Before you fish, read the current Tasmanian Government Inland Fisheries Service fishing guide, under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995 and Inland Fisheries Regulations 2019, including its list of closed waters, and take any season, bag and size limits and licence requirements from it.
