Fishing Blowering Dam & Tumut River
General fishing in Blowering Dam & Tumut River is highly active from spring through to early winter as the clear alpine currents support thriving fish populations. Water levels in the reservoir can shift dramatically, altering access to prime shallow flats and deep channels. Peak activity occurs during the low-light transitions of dawn and dusk when native predators and trout hunt close to the margins.
Land-based anglers can find excellent success by walking the clear, gravelly dam margins and river banks at first light. Casting large hardbodies, heavy spinnerbaits, or inline spinners along the rocky points triggers violent strikes. Soaking large scrub worms or yabbies along the clay flats is also highly productive for golden perch.
Offshore and boat fishing dominates the reservoir, as a watercraft is highly advantageous to explore the deep basins and dense timber. Boaters can use The Pines Boat Ramp or Log Bridge Creek Boat Ramp to launch and navigate the drowned river channels safely. Trolling deep-diving hardbodies or casting large swimbaits close to submerged standing trees yields highly consistent results.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- The Pines Shoreline: This easily accessible shoreline features extensive grassy banks and clay flats that are perfect for bank-based bait casting and lure fishing. Anglers can target active golden perch and redfin during late spring and summer when water temperatures rise. Casting small soft plastics or inline spinners on light spinning gear into the wind-blown points produces highly consistent action.
- Log Bridge Creek Shoreline: Positioned along the eastern foreshore, this area offers diverse structure with gravel points and scattered submerged timber. Land-based anglers should focus on these banks during first light in spring when native fish hunt close to the margins. Drifting live yabbies or scrub worms under a bubble float is exceptionally effective for targeting cruising Murray cod and golden perch.
- Tumut River Junction Park banks: Situated where the Tumut and Goobarragandra rivers merge, these pristine banks offer world-class river-style land-based fishing. Wading upstream while casting small minnow-profile hardbodies or drifting nymphs under strike indicators yields great results during the warmer months. Wading with felt-soled boots is highly recommended to safely navigate the slippery granite rocks and swift currents.
- Blowering Flats: This expansive flat at the southern inlet of the lake is a prime location for casting dry-and-dropper fly rigs or lightweight inline spinners. During the cooler winter and early spring months, large lake-run trout patrol these shallow margins in search of active baitfish. Anglers should utilize long, accurate casts to avoid spooking fish in the exceptionally clear, shallow water.
- Yellow Jacket Rest Area banks: These steep rocky points provide land-based anglers with immediate access to deep-water drop-offs. Casting heavy metal vibes, spinnerbaits, or large soft plastics on medium-heavy baitcasting tackle is the best approach to target patrolling cod. The best times to fish these deep banks are during late autumn when cooling water triggers an aggressive feeding response.
Offshore
- The Basin deep water: This massive open water area features deep thermoclines where boaters can target suspended schools of trout and redfin. Boaters should utilize downriggers or lead lines during the hot summer months to present lures at depths of twenty to thirty meters. Slow-trolling large hardbodies or vertically jigging metal blades yields consistent results when bait schools are located on the sounder.
- McDonald Arm: This highly sheltered arm is choked with standing timber and submerged structures that provide ideal ambush points for Murray cod. Drifting quietly with an electric motor while casting heavy spinnerbaits or large soft plastics close to the timber trunks is exceptionally deadly. The best action occurs during summer evenings when cod actively move up the water column to hunt on the surface.
- Blowering Dam Wall margins: The deep rocky cliffs near the concrete dam wall offer a fantastic vertical structure for boaters targeting native species. Slow-trolling deep-diving hardbodies that run comfortably at six to eight meters is a highly effective way to locate active golden perch. Boaters should monitor their depth finders closely and make multiple passes around any prominent rocky ledges.
- Parsonage Cove: This massive eastern cove offers excellent protection from strong winds and features extensive clay banks and submerged timber. Drifting through the timber while casting chatterbaits or slow-rolling soft plastics on light jig heads is highly productive in spring. Keeping boat noise to an absolute minimum is critical as the fish in this sheltered cove can be easily spooked.
- Peppercorn Point: This prominent shale point pushes far into the main channel, creating a classic ambush zone for large, migrating native predators. Boaters should slow-troll large, wide-profile hardbodies or swimbaits along the deep drop-offs during early spring. Watch the weather closely as strong westerly winds can create a dangerous chop across this exposed point.
Hot Spots
- Jounama Creek Junction: This secluded pool near the creek mouth holds beautifully colored resident rainbow trout that can be caught by casting small inline spinners.
- Paddys River Flat: This shallow gravel run is a spectacular fly fishing micro-spot where anglers can target active trout with nymph and dry fly combinations.
- Snowy Mountains Hwy culvert pools: These deep pools formed around concrete highway culverts provide excellent structure where anglers can target large golden perch.
- Yellow Jacket Cove: A deeply timbered bay on the eastern arm of the dam that holds mature resident Murray cod.
- Tumut River Tailrace Pool: A fast-flowing pool directly below the dam wall that acts as a major thermal refuge for predatory sport fish.
Local Bait Tips
- Freshwater Shrimp: Freshwater shrimp can be collected by placing a legal NSW shrimp trap baited with oily fish or cat food along submerged weeds and logs. Trap dimensions must strictly comply with NSW DPI rules and be clearly marked with owner details.
- Mudeyes: Mudeyes are collected by gently sweeping a fine-mesh hand net through shallow, submerged aquatic weed beds or by hand-turning submerged rocks along lake edges. Collectors must carry a valid New South Wales recreational fishing fee receipt and keep their catch for personal use.
- Earthworms: Earthworms are harvested by digging with a hand spade in damp, rich soil beneath rotting logs in moist riparian zones. Hand gathering is fully legal across the state, but collection is strictly prohibited within national park boundaries without explicit authorization.
Boat Ramps
- The Pines Boat Ramp:
The Pines Boat Ramp: Positioned at **The Pines Access campground** on the eastern shores of **Blowering Reservoir** (Tumut River) within the **Kosciuszko National Park, NSW**, this facility is managed by the **National Parks and Wildlife Service** (with registries listing ownership under the Snowy Valleys Council). The launching configuration consists of a **dual-lane concrete ramp** that provides high-quality traction, though it does not feature any staging pontoons, floating walkways, or boarding jetties, necessitating manual vessel securing along the lake’s banks. As a freshwater reservoir, water levels fluctuate massively due to **seasonal irrigation releases** down the Tumut River, which expose extensive fields of **submerged standing dead trees, rocks, and shallow shoals** as the water recedes. On-site facilities include **toilets, BBQs, and a designated campground**, with car-trailer parking listed as **0–10 spaces** under a Good condition rating with no fee.
Bait and Tackle
- Tumut's Fishing Camping & Outdoor Store: 58 Wynyard St, Tumut NSW 2720 | Phone: (02) 6947 1100
- Tom's Outdoors Retail & Guiding: 52 Fitzroy St, Tumut NSW 2720 | Phone: (02) 6947 4062
Basecamp & Accom
- The Pines Campground: Snowy Mountains Highway, Tumut NSW 2720 | Phone: (02) 6949 5239
- Blowering Holiday Park: Snowy Mountains Highway, Tumut NSW 2720 | Phone: (02) 6949 5239
- Tumut Valley Motel: 1 Fitzroy Street, Tumut NSW 2720 | Phone: (02) 6947 1122
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Tumut Police Station: 20 Wynyard St, Tumut NSW 2720 | Phone: (02) 6947 7199
