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Ben
Chifley Dam
The main water
storage for Bathurst and the surrounding area, Chifley Dam is a hot
spot for Redfin (English Perch). There are also good numbers of
trout, and natives (predominantly Golden Perch and Murray Cod) to be
caught.
The dam is located 20 minutes drive South of Bathurst. Just follow the
road to The Lagoon from Bathurst.
Fishing from a boat is popular with those
targeting Redfin. Most commonly people throw lures or drop bait around
snags like submerged trees. However locating a school on their depth
sounder, then
bounce jigs through the school as you drift over the hot spot is a
great way to fish. It is
worth getting your jig to hit the bottom as this tends to mean more
strikes. You can use just about any type of small jig. You can even
fish metal lures such as blades as if they were a jig with similar
results.
Photo: Two redfin caught on a single lure (lipless crank
bait) while down rigging at Ben Chifley Dam.
When the Redfin are on the bite you can catch 10 fish in an hour, but
when they are quiet you can sit over a school for hours and be unable
to temp a single fish. If this happens try change your method of
fishing. For instance try drifting a live bait through the school
(yabby or worm or switch to trolling along the edge of the old river
bed with a down rigger set at 10 feet above the bottom. You also stand
to catch trout or
large natives using this deep trolling method.
Bait fishermen tend to target natives from the shore with yabbies and
worms. Areas where the bank drops away rapidly into deeper water tend
to be more popular areas to fish.
Access
The best access is by
boat from the boat ramp at the dam wall. It is very well maintained and
there
are toilets and BBQ facilities available. It is a very nice place for a
family fishing trip.
Much of the lake is surrounded by private land, however some crown land
does exist near to where Garthowen Road first nears the water about 3km
after
leaving The Lagoon Charlton Road.
There is also good fishing in the Campbell's
River below the dam wall
and upstream of the dam, although upstream access is mainly
via private land.
Fish Stocked
Golden Perch, Rainbow Trout, Murray Cod and Silver Perch
Fish Present
Redfin Perch, Golden Perch, Rainbow Trout, Murray Cod, Brown Trout and
Silver Perch
Land Manager
Bathurst Regional Council
Catchment
Campbell's River. Total Size of catchment is 950 square km
Volume
30,800Ml
Water Depth
25m max
Boating
Power boats are
permitted. Sometimes used for water skiing.
History
Constructed in 1956 to supply
water to the Bathurst area the dam soon became popular with recreation
fishermen. Initially trout were the main target species, however over
time native fish and the introduced redfin perch became popular with
fishermen. Redfin perch have dominate the waterway since the 1980's.
Closures
Gates Open from 730am to 730pm
(6pm in winter).
Swimming not permitted when
algal blooms are present.
Swimming is not currently
permitted.
Want More Info
Contact Bathurst Visitors Centre
Phone: 02 6337 2507
www.visitbathurst.com.au
http://www.rylstone.com/pdf/DunnsSwamp.pdf
Map
Click
here for a map of Ben
Chifley Dam
Ben Chifley Redfin Perch -
Caught using downrigger system
Links
http://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/environment/water-and-sewer/310-ben-chifley-dam
http://www.bathurst-nsw.com/BenChifDam.html
Council
Ranger for Chifley Dam
http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Chifley.htm
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