Lake Jindabyne & Thredbo River, NSW

Fishing Lake Jindabyne & Thredbo River

Top 10 Species

Landbased

• Hatchery Bay: This easily accessible bay near the Gaden Trout Hatchery road is a legendary location for targeting cruising trout. Wading the shallow flats during the cooler winter and early spring months yields spectacular results as fish search for food. Casting shallow-running lures parallel to the bank at a forty-five-degree angle covers the best part of the feeding zone.
• Creel Bay: The extensive sandy flats and deep drop-offs surrounding this bay are a magnet for active trout. Drifting silently while casting minnow-profile hardbodies or slow-rolling small soft plastics along the weed margins is exceptionally deadly here in summer. Anglers should focus their efforts on the wind-blown sides of the bay where baitfish gather.
• Waste Point: The clear inflows where the Thredbo River meets Lake Jindabyne offer world-class land-based trout fishing. Wading the gravel banks while casting metal spoons or drifting powerbait is highly successful during the cooler months. Wading with heavy boots is recommended to safely handle the fast currents and slippery gravel.
• Curiosity Rocks: These prominent rocky outcrops provide land-based anglers with immediate access to deep-water drop-offs. Casting heavy metal spoons, Tassie Devils, or large soft plastics on light spinning tackle is the best approach to target patrolling trout. The best times to fish these deep banks are during late autumn when cooling water triggers an aggressive feeding response.
• Wollondibby Inlet: This sheltered creek mouth offers a peaceful shore-based fishing environment with abundant grassy structure. Flicking small inline spinners or drifting live worms under a bubble float is exceptionally effective for redfin and trout. This spot provides excellent protection from strong winds, making casting easy and comfortable.

Offshore

• Kalkite Arm Deep: This extensive rocky reef and deep drop-off area is a premier boat trolling destination. Boaters should slow-troll minnow-profile hardbodies along the deep contours and old river bed. The area is highly productive year-round, with monster brown trout regularly caught along the deep rock faces.
• Lion Island Washes: The rocky drop-offs and wind-blown shores of this prominent island hold active trout. Boaters should cast small minnow lures or troll winged lures very close to the rocky edges to trigger strikes. Controlling the boat carefully around the exposed points is essential to avoid hitting submerged granite rocks.
• Sids Bay Reefs: These deep, winding river channel sections feature extensive clay banks and scattered submerged logs. Trolling minnow-profile hardbodies that run comfortably at four to six meters is a great way to cover water. Boaters should keep a close eye on their sounder to locate active trout schools suspended along the channel.
• Hayshed Bay Drop-off: This steep sandy ledge plunges into deep water, acting as a major corridor for cruising trout and large redfin. Trolling leadcore lines or flatlining Tassie Devils along this drop-off is highly effective. Monitoring your sounder for suspended schools of baitfish is key to locating active fish.
• East Jindabyne Flats: These expansive clay flats and points are a prime location for casting Tassie Devils or soft plastics during spring. The shallow water warms rapidly, attracting active schools of trout feeding on small baitfish and insects. Anglers should utilize long, accurate casts to avoid spooking fish in the clear, shallow water.

Hot Spots

• Colorado Point: Steep deep-water point that holds school-sized rainbow trout during morning hatches.
• Gaden Trout Hatchery Pool: Deep river pool below the visitor centre that is open to seasonal casting outside the hatchery exclusion boundaries.
• Dead Horse Gap Pools: Deep granite pools on the upper Thredbo River holding wild brown trout.
• Catholic Church Foundations: Submerged stone foundations that attract monster brown trout in winter.
• Kalkite Homestead Ruins: Submerged brickwork and clay flats that hold schooling redfin and trout.

Local Bait Tips

• Earthworms: Earthworms are harvested by digging with a hand spade in damp, rich soil beneath rotting logs and leaf litter in moist riparian zones or garden beds. Hand gathering is fully legal across the state, but collection is strictly prohibited within national park boundaries without explicit authorization.
• Mudeyes: Mudeyes are collected by gently sweeping a fine-mesh hand net through shallow, submerged aquatic weed beds or by hand-turning submerged rocks and timber along lake edges. These insects must not be gathered using prohibited commercial nets, and collectors must carry a valid New South Wales recreational fishing fee receipt.
• Bardi Grubs: Bardi grubs are collected by digging into the dry soil around the base of wattle trees along clay ridges. Collectors must use a standard hand spade and observe the strict recreational possession limit.

Boat Ramps

• Widows Inlet Boat Ramp:

  Positioned off the fully sealed **Kosciuszko Road** in Jindabyne, NSW 2627, this facility provides direct access into the **Widows Creek** arm of **Lake Jindabyne**. Managed by the **Snowy Monaro Regional Council** (formerly Snowy River Shire Council), the structural configuration consists of a **single-lane concrete ramp** that provides excellent vehicular traction. There are no staging pontoons, floating walkways, or boarding jetties present, requiring boaters to secure and board their vessels directly from the adjacent gravel shoreline. While operating within a non-tidal freshwater alpine lake, waterway access is **shallow at times**, presenting critical low-water shoaling hazards that can obstruct larger hulls during periods of heavy hydroelectric drawdown. On-site facilities include a **public toilet block** and a **BBQ area**, with fully sealed road access making it easy to reach with a boat in tow, alongside ample parking space for vehicles and trailers.

• Waste Point Boat Ramp:

  Located on **Waste Point Road** within the **Kosciuszko National Park**, this ramp is positioned near the junction where the **Thredbo River** drains into **Lake Jindabyne**. Access is provided via the sealed **Kosciuszko Highway**, though vehicle entry is subject to national park parking fees. The ramp is configured with a **single-lane unsealed gravel approach** suitable primarily for small to medium-sized vessels. It completely lacks staging pontoons, floating walkways, or boarding jetties. Because of its proximity to the river mouth, the launching zone is highly subject to **shifting sediment loads, debris, and shallow delta shoaling**, presenting significant navigation and launching hazards. No toilet blocks are available at the site itself, but public facilities can be found close by in the town centre.

Bait and Tackle

• Lakeside Lures & Tackle: Snowline Centre, Shop 1/6532 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne NSW 2627 | Phone: (02) 6456 1551
• High Country Outfitters: Unit 8 Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne NSW 2627 | Phone: (02) 6456 2989

Basecamp & Accom

• Jindabyne Holiday Park: 37 Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne NSW 2627 | Phone: (02) 6456 2244
• Lake Crackenback Resort: 1650 Alpine Way, Crackenback NSW 2627 | Phone: (02) 6451 3000
• The Banjo Paterson Inn: 1 Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne NSW 2627 | Phone: (02) 6456 2372

Emergency & Safety

• Emergency: 000 | Jindabyne Police Station: 16 Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne NSW 2627 | Phone: (02) 6450 3000