Central Tablelands Fishing Report

July/August 2010

Everyone is smiling because the dams are filling up. Lake Wallace and Ben Chifley Dam are now at 100% capacity and many of the other storages have seen volumes increase rapidly in the first week of August. With the lakes filling those committed to winter fishing can expect some good fish coming close to the shore.

Lake Burrendong has increased its volume from 15% to 33% in less than two  months and the natives will start fire pretty soon if this water is not sent downstream for irrigation.

There has also been good numbers of spawning trout in the few rivers that are open to fishing at this time of year. These fish have rewarding those who braved the cold and make the long walk into these remote waterways.

Unfortunately there are also a lot of carp showing up in these rivers, so many that they now outnumber trout and native species in terms of fish mass by a ratio of over 20:1 in the lower Cox’s and Kowmung. These carp can be over 80cm long and are found in schools of up to 100 fish.

Given that NSW Fisheries and the National Parks have no plans to manage the spread of carp in these areas it is up to local fishermen to do their bit. I would like to organise a carp fish out for sometime next year. Please send me an email to register your interest if you would like to attend.

Of course you can do your own fish out. Carp can be caught on fly or bait. Worms, corn and cheese are proven baits and a very slowly retrieved streamer fly will often get a bite.

Thanks to the good rain of late our rivers and dams will be better suited to supporting larger fish, particularly if the good rain continues.

Given the cold weather we are experiencing the middle of the day is a good time to fish. Using polarised glasses on a clear day can be very rewarding particularly with water levels rising. Trout have been coming to the edge of lakes into recently covered ground to feed on worms and insects submerged.

Oberon Dam, Lake Lyell and Ben Chifley Dam are all rising due to recent rain so these are the places to fish at the moment. Thompsons Creek Dam is also worth a look on a day with minimal wind. PowerBait works well at this time of year as do worms, particularly with the rising water levels.

Come prepared for sub zero temps, rain and snow, and always check the weather forecast before heading out.

Boating is particularly hazardous at this time of year. Most impoundments are low due to minimal inflows over recent years so take it easy if you are in a boat. You don't want to hit a hidden snag and end up in the freezing water. If water levels drop again the banks will be very muddy so use boat ramps provided when launching your boat.

If you fish from your boat with care you will reap the rewards. Trolling lures such as pink and gold/yellow wing cobra's (Tassie Devils) and large "spotted dog" minnows have caught a few big fish of late.

Fishing for native fish has been a little quiet of late but there have been some sizable stockings of fish into dams in recent times so keep an eye out for good fishing in the next few years as these fish mature.

Don’t forget that the Murray Cod closed season runs from September – November.

Trout Fishing – Streams

All General Trout Streams are closed until the October Long Weekend.

Experienced bushwalkers have the opportunity to target spawning trout in some remote sections of river on the Tablelands at this time of year. 100% legally I should add! The lower reaches of some rivers are not classified as notified trout waters, but can become full of spawning trout from May until September (depending on the amount of rain) and the water level in Lake Burragorang.

Check the regulations for each river and avoid the prohibited area within the exclusion zone around the lake itself. 

I fished the Lower Cox’s River early in the spawning season and I took a number of very healthy trout over 50cm and filmed some video of trout spawning in the river near Yellow Pup Spur.

Be warned that going into these remote areas is dangerous, particularly if not fully prepared for the conditions or an emergency. Even experienced bushwalking club members have required rescue from the banks of local streams. You should take great care not to entre the exclusion zone around the lake as fines and even imprisonment are possible.

Most importantly do not go bush if you are not an experienced overnight bushwalker. These areas are remote. Do not go without leaving a route and emergency plan with the police or a loved one. Avoid going alone. I strongly recommend taking appropriate communications equipment such as a Sat Phone or at the very least borrow an EPIRB from the NPWS at Blackheath or Blue Mountains Police at Katoomba or Springwood. You will also need suitable warm clothing (including wool or polypropylene thermals), a first aid kit and a very warm sleeping bag.

If you need gear you can come and see me or any of the other staff at Summit Gear in Katoomba or Glenbrook for advice on the right clothing, tents, sleeping bags and emergency equipment.

If you do not have the experience yourself then employ a professional fishing or walking guide to take you if you really want to go. There are some private lodges close to these rivers and one local guide also offers heli fishing. Send me an email if you want to find a guide.

Trout Fishing - Lakes

Burrendong Dam, Wyangala, & Windamere – The water levels have risen rapidly and as a result you will likely find fish feeding in close to the bank in large numbers. It is very much worth a visit right now. Trolling and bait fishing are the best options. You may get onto some big cod, golden perch, catfish or trout from the bank in the coming weeks.

Lake Lyell is very low but the level is rising. Fishing from the bank with bait, fly or lure is recommended as well as trolling with Tassie Devils. Flat line trolling has picked up in recent times, but downriggers are handy if you want to target big brown trout down deep or just get your lure to the rainbows at anywhere down to 20 feet. 

There will be a few big browns hanging around if you try surface trolling big rainbow or brown trout "spotted dog" pattern minnows. You can try lures up to 10cm in length if the pattern is right.  The best time to catch big fish using this method is the crack of dawn.

Lake Wallace has been stocked with plenty of rainbow trout along with a few browns. Most fish are being taken on PowerBait from the area near the baseball pitch, but the outlet is also a good option when Delta Electricity is filling the dam or near the pipeline opposite the old cemetery.

Thompson’s Creek Dam is holding some very big brown trout. Just try to pick a day with clear weather and rising air pressure so you maximise your chances of getting a fish. Usually the day after a blustery front is best.

 I find the dam fishes very well early in the day at this time of year and if you get their early you will get first cast at the fish. Just take some gloves as your hands will freeze as the water freezes to your line. Take your polarised glasses and avoid the area when heavy wind is predicted.

Oberon Dam is very low but rising and the fish are very close together and moving toward the edge. PowerBait, worms and small yabbies are good baits. Casting lures such as Tassie Devils, minnows, blades and small soft plastics around steep drop offs or newly covered shallows is your best bet during the middle of the day.

LAKE LEVELS

Thompsons Creek Dam - 39%
Lake Wallace - 100%
Lake Lyell - 32% (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Environmental flow level out of Lake Lyell into Cox's River – 5 Million Litres  per/day

Burrendong Dam - 33% (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Windamere Dam - 20% (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Oberon Dam - 15%
Carcoar Dam - 7%
Wyangala Dam - 11%  (Warning Blue Green Algae Risk)
Ben Chifley Dam - 100%

 
For the latest water level updates visit www.de.com.au or www.waterinfo.nsw.gov.au

LAKES - NATIVE FISH, CARP & REDFIN PERCH

Ben Chifley Dam has been the pick of the storages due to good water levels and strong inflows. Chifley has been producing massive numbers of redfin perch on lures such as crankbaits, blades, jigs and spinnerbaits.

If you are chasing native fish in the larger storages try to get your lure and bait close to submerged timber or at the lower edge of large drop offs or where fish are feeding in the newly covered grasses and nettles.

Fishing with worms, corn and cheese works for carp and could also catch you a range of other species.

RIVERS - NATIVE FISH, CARP & REDFIN PERCH

The pick of the rivers are the Cudgegong & Macquarie above Burrendong a mix on Carp, Redfin, Trout and Native Fish have been on the bite. Be aware general trout stream closures apply to sections of these two rivers.

The Nepean has plenty of carp near Norton’s Basin, Penrith and Yarramundi. Mullet have been active in the Hawkesbury/Lower Nepean and are great fun for kids to catch.