Fishing Lake Macdonald (Cooroy)
You need a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIPS permit) to fish with a line here if you are 18 or older. Under-18s don't need one. Buy it online, by phone (1300 575 359) or at Queensland Australia Post outlets before you fish.
Dam works (check before you go): Seqwater is upgrading the dam. The lake has been lowered to about 39% of its old full level until the project is finished. Right now:
- Mary River Cod Park is closed.
- The fishing platforms at Perch Park and Mary River Cod Park are closed.
- Jabiru Park has restricted vehicle access, but you can still walk in and launch paddle craft.
- Only 4x4 vehicles may launch trailer boats at the Lake Macdonald Park ramp. Paddle craft can still use it.
Boats must be electric, sail or paddle. No petrol motors, water skiing, jet skis, wakeboarding, tubing or swimming.
Seqwater opens the lake and its recreation areas 7 days a week, 5:30am to 6:30pm (September to April) and 6:00am to 5:30pm (May to August).
Know the rules (Queensland freshwater limits, checked 21 Oct 2026): Australian bass: 30cm minimum, 5 per person (SIPS dams and weirs). Golden perch (yellowbelly): 30cm minimum, 10 per person. Silver perch: 30cm minimum, no more than 2 (inside a combined limit of 5 silver perch, barcoo grunter and Welch's grunter). Mary River cod: no take. Release every one you catch, quickly and carefully. The Australian bass closed season (1 June to 31 August) is for tidal waters only, so it does not apply in this lake.
Closed water: No fishing from 100m upstream to 200m downstream of the Lake Macdonald dam wall (Six Mile Creek). From 1 August to 31 October, line fishing is banned in the Mary River and adjoining waterways upstream of the Six Mile Creek junction, but the lake itself (up to full supply level) is exempt. Check that rule before fishing any creek nearby.
Emergency: 000. SES: 132 500.
Landbased
- Seqwater allows fishing from the shoreline of designated recreation areas. During the dam works the fishing platforms at Perch Park and Mary River Cod Park are closed, and Mary River Cod Park is shut. Jabiru Park is open on foot. Much of the land around the lake is private property. Don't fish or launch from private land. Stick to the signed recreation areas.
Offshore
- Allowed boats: Electric-powered boats, sail craft and paddle craft. Petrol motors, water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tubing are not allowed.
- Launch points: Lake Macdonald Park (Lake Macdonald Drive), Mary River Cod Park (Collwood Road, closed for now) and Jabiru Park (Grange Road, paddle craft only). Don't launch anywhere else.
- Fishing from boats: Allowed. You still need a SIPS permit if you are 18 or older.
- Boat rules: Your boat must be registered and you need a licence where Maritime Safety Queensland requires one. Seqwater lakes follow MSQ boating rules. Carry the right safety gear and wear a lifejacket. Emergency: 000. SES: 132 500.
Hot Spots
- Lake Macdonald Park (Lake Macdonald Drive): Boat ramp for electric boats and paddle craft. 4x4 only for launching trailer boats during the dam works. Noosa Council looks after this park.
- Jabiru Park (Grange Road): Paddle craft launch and a bird hide. Walk-in only during the dam works. Seqwater lists fishing here.
- Mary River Cod Park (Collwood Road): Normally a boat ramp, pontoon and fishing spot, but closed for the dam works.
Emergency & Safety
- SES (State Emergency Service): 132 500 | Emergency: 000
