Fishing Collie River & Wellington Dam
Anglers targeting freshwater species in the Collie River catchment and Wellington Dam must hold a valid DPIRD South-West Freshwater Angling Licence. Redfin Perch are a declared noxious pest in WA and must be humanely euthanized when caught rather than returned alive to the water. Wellington Dam and all upstream tributaries are legally designated as SNARE-ONLY waters for marron; harvesting marron inside the impoundment is permitted strictly using legal marron pole snares during open season, and possessing drop nets within 50 metres of Wellington Dam shoreline is strictly prohibited. (Drop nets are permitted in open river sections downstream of Wellington Dam wall).
Land-based anglers discover productive casting platforms at Potters Gorge, Wellington Dam wall lookout, Minninup Pool, and Honeymoon Pool. Casting small 5g to 10g metal spinners, soft plastic minnows, or flies into deep water drop-offs produces fast action on Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. Shaded river pools along the Collie River yield heavy catches of Redfin Perch and Freshwater Cobbler on live worms.
Boating fishers launching from the Potters Gorge boat ramp off Wellington Dam Road cover vast deep water basin areas for trolling and casting. Trolling small deep-diving minnow lures or winged spinners behind craft accounts for trophy Brown Trout. Powerboats are permitted in designated impoundment zones, while paddlecraft and tinnies explore quiet upper river reaches.
Landbased
- POTTERS GORGE FORESHORE: Paved parkland foreshore area on Wellington Dam offering comfortable land-based casting into deep water. Cast 7g silver or gold metal spinners into deep water drop-offs during early morning hours. Retrieve lures with a steady wobbling action just above submerged rock ledges.
- HONEYMOON POOL ROCKS: Picturesque river pool on the Collie River surrounded by jarrah forest, ideal for shore anglers targeting Redfin and Trout. Float-fish live garden worms 1 metre below a float near submerged rock walls. Early morning calm periods offer optimal water clarity.
- MINNINUP POOL FORESHORE: Deep river pool located near Collie townsite, offering peaceful casting for Redfin, Freshwater Cobbler, and Trout. Work small soft plastic grubs or live earthworms along deep muddy channel drop-offs. Ideal location for family fishers and wading casters.
- WELLINGTON DAM WALL LOOKOUT LEDGES: Deep water area near the dam wall, providing excellent casting for large Brown Trout at dusk. Cast long monofilament rigs baited with scrubworms into deep water clearings. Late afternoon periods produce active trout rises during insect hatches.
- COLLIE RIVER UPPER REACHES: Shaded stream reaches extending upstream toward Mungalup, providing pristine trout habitat during spring runoff. Work small floating hardbody minnows or soft plastic grubs through moving water pockets. Stealthy presentations are required in shallow river pools.
Offshore
- WELLINGTON DAM CENTRAL BASIN: Open water basin averaging 15 to 35 metres depth, ideal for trolling for trophy Brown and Rainbow Trout. Slow-troll small 5cm minnow lures or pink winged spinners 30 metres behind craft at 2 to 3 knots. Use downriggers or leadcore line during warm summer months to reach cooler deep water.
- POTTERS GORGE DEEP CHANNEL: Submerged river channel running off the Potters Gorge boat ramp, holding high numbers of Redfin Perch and Trout. Drift slowly along submerged tree lines while vertically jigging small 5g metal blades or soft plastics near pylon roots. Electric trolling motors allow precise boat control.
- COLLIE RIVER NAVIGABLE REACHES: Deep river pool channels winding through Wellington National Park, holding Freshwater Cobbler and Redfin. Slow-trolling micro-crankbaits or drifting live yabbies behind kayaks or small tinnies produces consistent quality catches. Paddle power ensures quiet approaches around timber snags.
- POTTERS GORGE SKI ZONE: Wide deep water section designated for powerboats, offering excellent trolling windows at dawn before ski traffic begins. Run shallow-running minnows along weed lines on a light morning breeze. Maintain safe distances from swimming areas and shoreline casters.
- WELLINGTON DAM MARRON BAYS: Sheltered shallow coves with sandy mud floors, ideal for night marron snaring using legal pole snares during open season. Drift slowly in canoes or tinnies using underwater spotlights to locate marron along shallow banks. Drop nets are strictly prohibited in Wellington Dam.
Hot Spots
- POTTERS GORGE: Premier Wellington Dam foreshore delivering trophy Rainbow and Brown Trout.
- HONEYMOON POOL: Iconic Collie River pool offering top-tier light-tackle trout and redfin casting.
- MINNINUP POOL: Deep river sanctuary near Collie townsite providing excellent Redfin and Cobbler fishing.
- WELLINGTON DAM WALL: Deep-water land-based platform yielding large Brown Trout on lures and bait.
- GLEN MERVYN DAM: Popular multi-use impoundment open year-round for trout, marron, and waterskiing.
Local Bait Tips
- GARDEN EARTHWORMS: Dug from damp compost soil and garden loam in local Collie properties. Store live in a ventilated container filled with moist peat moss and shredded newspaper. Threaded onto a size 4 fine-wire hook, garden worms are unbeatable for Redfin Perch and Rainbow Trout.
- SCRUBWORMS: Collected by hand from damp riverbank mud and leaf litter under jarrah trees after rain. Keep cool in a damp cloth bag filled with moist moss. Whole scrubworms rigged under a float or on a light running sinker represent lethal natural bait for large Brown Trout.
- LIVE CRICKETS & GRASSHOPPERS: Gathered by hand from grassy paddocks and riverbank pastures during warm summer afternoons. Store in a breathable wire mesh bait cage kept in the shade. Hooked lightly through the thorax and drifted on the water surface, they trigger explosive topwater trout strikes.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Caught in opera-house traps or scoop nets baited with meat frames in farm dams. Store live in aerated damp buckets. Small live yabbies hooked through the tail represent prime bait for big Brown Trout, Redfin, and Freshwater Cobbler.
Boat Ramps
- Potters Gorge Boat Ramp (Wellington Dam):
Located at Potters Gorge on the northern shore of Wellington Dam off Wellington Dam Road, Collie WA 6225. Managed by the Shire of Collie, DBCA, and Water Corporation WA. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp accessible by 2WD vehicles, extending into Wellington Dam. Provides smooth launching for powerboats, ski craft, tinnies, and kayaks accessing the impoundment and Collie River reaches. Powerboats are permitted in designated ski zones. Facilities feature a bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public toilet blocks, Potters Gorge DBCA campground, shaded picnic shelters, and barbecue amenities. Free public access.
- Honeymoon Pool Kayak Launch (Collie River):
Located at the Honeymoon Pool day-use area inside Wellington National Park off River Road, Collie WA 6225. Managed by DBCA. Features a dedicated timber kayak launch deck extending over deep river pools, serving as the official trailhead for the 8-kilometre Honeymoon Pool Kayak Trail. Designed exclusively for non-motorized canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Facilities include sealed vehicle parking, public restrooms, shaded forest picnic decks, and DBCA campground amenities. Free public access.
- Minninup Pool Launch (Collie River):
Located off Minninup Road on the Collie River foreshore near Collie townsite, Collie WA 6225. Managed by the Shire of Collie. Features a natural gravel and concrete slab riverbank boat launch allowing light tinnies, canoes, and kayaks to launch into deep Collie River pools. Ideal for paddlecraft and electric tinnies targeting Redfin and Cobbler. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, shaded parkland picnic benches, and walking trails. Free public access.
- Glen Mervyn Dam Boat Launch (Collie Region):
Located off Mumballup-Gumballup Road at Glen Mervyn Dam, Collie WA 6225. Managed by the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup and Water Corporation WA. Features a natural unsealed clay and gravel bank boat launching area extending into the impoundment. Open year-round for trout fishing, marroning, powerboating, and waterskiing. Facilities include unsealed vehicle parking, public restrooms, and bush camping areas. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Collie Sports & Tackle: 72 Forrest St, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: (08) 9734 1001
- Collie Hardware & Marine: 45 Throssell St, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: (08) 9734 1104
- Shell Collie (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 120 Coalfields Hwy, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: (08) 9734 1122
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Collie River Valley Holiday Park: 1 Porter St, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: (08) 9734 5088
- Wellington Forest Cottages: Wellington Mill Rd, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: (08) 9728 3043
- Collie Ridge Motel: 185 Throssell St, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: (08) 9734 6666
Emergency & Safety
- State Emergency Service Collie (SES): Forrest St, Collie WA 6225 - Ph: 132 500 / Emergency 000 - UHF Ch 40 / Local SES 132 500
