THE Central West of NSW is home to a number of productive dams, most are overflowing with water, and all hold a variety of native and introduced species.
With the cold weather behind us, increases in water temperature can stimulate fish to undertake spawning migrations and populate rivers above and below. The lakes and dams themselves offer fantastic fishing. Ground laid bare by drought has now been covered and the fish will move into the warm shallow areas to feed, making bank fishing a good option.
Windamere Dam is possibly the most well-known and visited golden perch dam. While most people come to Windamere to fish for golden perch, there are other species such as silver perch, Murray cod, and eel tail catfish. Windamere has good facilities for extended fishing trips.
For those on a budget, excellent fishing can be had at many dams around Central NSW.
Lake Wallace or Wang Dam as the locals know it is another gem.
Just over the Blue Mountains, Wang Dam contains the water of the Cox’s River and thanks to the efforts of NSW DPI Fisheries it offers fishing for trout and bass.
Unfortunately, thanks to an unthinking farm owner who stocked a farm dam with redfin next to the Cox’s River above Wang Dam this species has spread throughout this eastern flowing water system.
Wang Dam also has free camping along with amenities, kids’ playground and allows kayaks and canoes on the lake.
While power boating is prohibited, it’s not rare to see electric powered vessels fishing the dam.
Wang dam, while itself is a good drawcard, the near surrounds also offer other fantastic angling opportunities.
Thompsons Creek Dam just up the road is a lure and fly only dam that holds some trophy trout.
Brown, rainbow and tiger trout make this lake home.
The “false spawning” that normally occurs around August draws anglers to the dam every day of the week to marvel at the schools of trout easily seen close to the shore.
Also close by TCD is a recently opened fishery that has been well stocked with trout https://thefoundations.com.au/projects/fishing/
Downstream of Wang dam you soon run into Lake Lyell, another dam filled with bass and trout and unfortunately the redfin that originated in that farmers dam above.
Lake Lyell is secretly becoming famous for big bass with pictures of fish to 62cm fish doing the rounds.
Bank fishing does well here as does boating and he camp grounds offer powered sites, amenities and good boat ramps.
NSW Fisheries stocking a local Central West dam.
Lake Lyell may soon change with the proposal of a pumped hydro system being built on Mount Walker above the dam.
Oberon dam is also another great dam with excellent fishing and free camping with amenities, you camp amongst ribbon gums and granite boulders in a bush setting.
Another dam that was illegally stocked by anglers with a bucket of redfin, the redfin soon overcome this blue-ribbon trout fishery but thanks to NSW DPI Fisheries and their commitment to stocking larger grown out and ex brood stock trout it is now a fantastic mixed fishery with trout, redfin, golden perch and Murray cod being caught.
Oberon also has a very proactive fishing group who work with Fisheries to bring you this superb fishery.
Oberon dam is classified as Alpine waters so be prepared to spend a freezing night, even in the middle of Summer.
Not far from Oberon is Ben Chifley Dam named after our 16th prime minster of Australia. Free camping is available.
Another dam infested with redfin from an overflowing stocked farm dam, this dam has recovered again thanks to NSW DPI Fisheries the dam now has good stocks of huge trout, good golden perch and some extreme examples of Murray cod.
Now is the time to get out and go fishing it’s just so dam good!
