Thompson's Creek Dam

Special Regulations

The dam is classified a Trophy Trout Dam. One rod per person. Only artificial fly and lures may be used (no bait).

Bag limit of two fish applies.

Check the signs at the car park near the dam for updates.

Description: A moderate size water storage that offers fantastic trout fishing. The dam is classified as a “trophy trout dam” which means big fish. It is a great place to take your rod and polarised glasses for a day on the clay covered banks. This dam offers some of the best  trout fishing in NSW. 

Location: Approximately 20 minutes drive from Lithgow. It is a 20 minute walk to the dam wall from the car park. To get to the dam drive to Wallerawang, take the Portland Road at the western end town. Turn left at the cemetery and follow the road to the locked gate at the end. Park your car then follow the dirt access road on foot to the top of the dam wall.

History & Purpose: Built in 1992 on a small creek line to store water for power generation at Mt Piper and Wallerawang Power Stations. Water is pumped to the lake from Lake Lyell as the catchment of Thompson Creek is very small. This lake has only been open to fishing for about a decade.

River System: Thompson Creek part of the upper Cox’s River catchment.

Fish Species: Brown and Rainbow Trout

Stocking History: 20,000 to 30,000 fish in an average season

Capacity: 27500Ml

Surface Area: 163ha

Max Water Depth: 43m

Shore Access: You can access the banks in all areas of the lake, however walking the dam wall is prohibited.

Boat Access: Boating is not permitted

Restrictions: No Boating, No Vehicle Access, No Bait Fishing, Walking/climbing the face of the dam wall is prohibited due to the risk associated with loose rocks. Access is not permitted over night. You may fish from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Bag and size limits are those for trophy trout dams. See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries for more details.

Water Quality: Generally good, but with algal blooms from time to time in the warmer months.

Popular Fishing Methods

Fly: Excellent fly fishing for trophie trout particularly rainbow trout, although browns are also stocked in good numbers. This lake offers great dry fly fishing when the weather is not to hot. White Moths work very well on dusk, while beetle, ant and grass hopper patterns work better during the day. Wet flies and sinking line are a must have at Thompson Creek Dam in the summer months so you can get your flies down deep around the quarried areas where the water is deep. Although midges and ant hatches can attract fish to the surface on the odd hot summer day. Best wet flies are dark coloured Woolly Buggers, and Fuzzy Wuzzy’s, as well as Zulu’s.

Spinning: Tassie Devil’s are by far the most popular and successful lure used at Thompson creek dam. Gold and pinks are the best colours with a slow retrieve. Shallow diving minnows in trout patterns work well in winter, while large Celter’s are better in the warmer months. To hook a large brown try a very large trout minnow.

Bait: No bait fishing permitted due to “trophy trout dam” status.

Best Fishing Locations: At the base of the dam wall at the western side, the deeper quarried areas and weed beds on the eastern shore line. Most areas of the lake fish very well, so just walk the edges until you find where the fish are holding.

Camping: No Camping or Toilet facilities are available. Camping is not permitted.

For more info contact: Lithgow Tourist Information Centre