The Oberon area is well known for great trout fishing. The brown and rainbow trout found in Oberon Dam are often big, healthy and put up a great fight. Oberon can be very cold in winter and even in summer it has been known to drop to freezing, but those who brave the cold are regularly rewarded with great fish.
Redfin are an increasingly common catch in the lake.
Alternate Names: Lake Oberon or Fish River Dam
General Info: Oberon Dam is a large water storage on the Fish River, a renowned trout fishery. The Dam was build as part of the Fish River Scheme, which supplies water for electricity generation, town water, industry, mining and forestry. The lake is regularly used for sailing (one day per month), bird watching and fishing. Boating is not permitted except sailing as part of the monthly sailing club day.
A mix of brown and rainbow trout of 30-55cm are a common catch.
Fly fishing is extremely popular on this lake.
Location: To get to Oberon take the Jenolan Caves turn off from the Great Western Hwy at Hartley, just after the River Lett Bridge. From the main street of Oberon turn left into Ross St and then left into Jenolan St and you’ll reach the dam at the end of the road.
History & Purpose: Built on the Fish River in 1949. Trout were present in the dam from the time of constriction and it has been stocked every year for decades.
River System: Murray Darling (some water from the dam is supplied to Lithgow dams which are part of the Nepean catchment.
Fish Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout (possibly a small number of Brook Trout) and Redfin Perch.
Fish Stocking Details: An average season will see 30,000 trout stocked to the dam. More rainbows than browns have been stocked over the past decade.
Capacity: 45,400 Ml
Surface Area: Approximately 250ha
Max Water Depth: 25m
Shore Access: The public reserve located at the end of Jenolan Street, via Kelly’s Lane (off Edith Rd) and The Reef Road (off Black Springs Rd) are the main access points.
All the immediate banks of the lake are crown land however you must have permission to entre via private land around the lake.
Boat Access: Boating is now permitted by unpowered vessels only. Access is restricted. Powerboats are strictly prohibited. For more information about boat access to Oberon Dam please contact: Oberon Tourist Information Centre (02) 6336 0666
Restrictions: Large areas of private land boarder the crown land at the lakes edge. You must gain permission to entre private property. Swimming is not permitted. General Trout Dam regulations apply. The gate at the dam wall picnic area is usually locked overnight. Check the signs on the gate to find out the time the gates will be locked on the day you are visiting.
Water Quality: The water quality is generally good, although inflows are largely from farm land.
Popular Fishing Methods & Locations
Bait: Powerbait is the most successful although mud eye, worms and yabbies all work well. Powerbait will take trout at any time of he day or night. See the standard power bait rig by following the following the link. Grass hoppers under a float work well in summer. While the best winter bates are worms and Power Bait
Fly: Insect hatches are numerous and varied from spring to late autumn. Look for fish rising around the edges; rises are numerous around dusk and dawn but can happen all day, particularly on cool sunny days. Match the hatch and you should increase your chances. The dam wall area is very popular with fly fishermen as is the golf course and Kelly’s Lane. The water level tends to rise over winter and this is the best time to fish the edges. Try large dark streamers, particularly on and after dusk (best on a bright moon).
If the winter nights are to cold for you, try fishing during the day over the weed beds and drop offs. Some good options are a nymph suspended under a strike indicator, or a wet fly that features a streak/spot of red, pink, yellow or orange. These colours tend to attract fish a little better in the winter months.
Spinning: Yellow winged, and pink Tassie’s or Cobra’s work well during the day. Large minnows fished at first light will take a large territorial fish particularly brown trout. Celters, small minnows, and small soft plastics are also handy over the weed beds. Keep an eye out for fish rising to the surface. Polarised glasses are a must. Try dark coloured lures in the evening, night and early morning. Particularly when the fish are feeding on the surface. When spinning on a day with little surface activity try the deeper areas of the lake with spooned and deep diving lures.
Those spin fishing have been catching a lots of redfin of late.
Check out this video by Brett & Cherie.
Camping: Camping facilities are not provided although there is a public toilet and BBQ’s available at the Dam Wall. There is a caravan park in Oberon about 3 minutes drive from the dam.
Public Toilet: Yes (Jenolan Street picnic area near the dam wall)
Google Map of Oberon Dam
View Central Tablelands Fishing Map in a larger map