Googong Dam & Reservoir, NSW

Fishing Googong Dam & Reservoir

Top 10 Species

Landbased

• Googong Foreshores Shoreline: Wading anglers can walk the expansive clay margins and target native golden perch and redfin. Casting small metal blades or slow-rolling soft plastics along the steep rocky points is highly effective in spring. Soaking large scrubworms or live yabbies along the clay drop-offs produces highly consistent yellowbelly catches.
• London Bridge Reserve banks: Located near the southern inflows, these grassy banks offer excellent land-based bait fishing access. Anglers can present live yabbies or large earthworms on a running sinker rig for Murray cod. First and last light represent the peak fishing times before local wind activity increases.
• Googong Dam Wall banks: The deep rocky shorelines adjacent to the concrete dam wall provide quick access to deep-water contours. Casting heavy metal spoons or deep-diving hardbodies is highly successful during the cooler winter months. Anglers must fish these steep rock platforms with extreme caution as they can be slippery.
• Queanbeyan River Inflow: This flowing river section above the reservoir offers dynamic river-style fishing for native sportfish. Casting medium-sized spinnerbaits around the submerged logs and rock ledges triggers aggressive reaction strikes. Wading with sturdy boots is recommended to safely navigate the flowing pools and gravel runs.

Offshore

• Queanbeyan River Arm channels: Boaters can troll deep-diving hardbodies comfortably at depths of six to eight meters along the old river channel. This technique is highly reliable for locating active, schooling native predators during the day. Monitoring the fish finder for schooling baitfish suspended along the timbered contours is critical.
• Googong weed bed margins: Extensive shallow margins feature dense weed beds that provide perfect cover for predatory native sportfish. Drifting silently with electric motors while casting soft vibes or chatterbaits into the weed pockets is highly successful. This area offers spectacular sight-fishing opportunities when the reservoir clarity is exceptionally high.
• South Googong timber stands: This timber-lined section is choked with drowned standing trees that hold resident Murray cod and yellowbelly. Slow-rolling spinnerbaits or vertically jigging metal blades close to the timber trunks is exceptionally deadly. Keeping boat noise to an absolute minimum is critical to avoid spooking wary fish.
• The Main Basin deep contours: Boaters can target large, territorial native fish holding in the deep basins near the central dam contours. Slow-trolling large, wide-profile hardbodies along the old drowned roadbeds is a highly proven approach. Watching the weather closely is essential as strong westerly winds can create a dangerous chop.

Hot Spots

• London Bridge Pool: This historic riverine pool holds excellent golden perch responding well to soft plastics.
• Main Basin Point: This prominent rocky headland pushes into a deep channel, creating a classic ambush zone.
• Queanbeyan River Rapids: These rapids hold protected silver perch and must be fished with catch-and-release rules.
• Brodies Bay: This sheltered eastern arm of the dam features deep-water drop-offs that are highly productive for Murray cod.
• Googong North Clay Flats: These shallow margins are highly active in late spring as golden perch search for baitfish.

Local Bait Tips

• Freshwater Shrimp: Shrimps are collected using a single legal shrimp trap baited with oily fish along submerged weed lines. Trap dimensions must strictly adhere to NSW DPI guidelines and be clearly marked with owner details.
• Earthworms: Earthworms are harvested by digging in damp soil under rotting logs in moist riparian zones near the inflows. Hand collection is fully legal across the state, but digging along public riverbanks is strictly prohibited.
• Common Yabby: Yabbies are captured using up to five legal hoop nets marked with the user's initial and surname. NSW regulations require carrying a paid fishing receipt, and traditional opera house traps are strictly banned.

Boat Ramps

• Googong Foreshores Main Boat Ramp:

  Googong Foreshores Main Boat Ramp: Situated at the northern end of the **Googong Reservoir** near the Googong Dam wall, this facility operates under strict environmental guidelines to protect the local water supply. Configured as a concrete launching ramp, **vessel operations are strictly restricted to sail, paddle, and electric-powered craft only**, with petrol or diesel engines completely prohibited. The day-use facility is open only from **sunrise to sunset**, and all boaters are required to complete a formal registration. On-site amenities include public toilets, a carpark, and picnic shelters, with camping strictly prohibited.

• Googong South Launch Area:

  Googong South Launch Area: Located at the southern end of **Googong Reservoir** near the Queanbeyan River inflow, this secondary launching site provides basic access primarily for canoes, kayaks, and light electric-powered vessels. It shares the same strict environmental restrictions as the main ramp, prohibiting any petrol or diesel propulsion. The launch area features an **unsealed shoreline path** that is subject to shifting sand bars and river sediment. It is open for day-use only from **sunrise to sunset** and is accessed via unsealed national park roads.

Bait and Tackle

• Queanbeyan Tackle World: 45 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 | Phone: (02) 6297 8888

Basecamp & Accom

• Queanbeyan Motel: 10 Crawford St, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 | Phone: (02) 6297 1211

Emergency & Safety

• Emergency: 000 | Queanbeyan Police Station: 89-91 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 | Phone: (02) 6298 0599