Fishing Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam)
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.
Lake level: Seqwater lowered the lake in 2025 to about 54% of its old full level while it works on the dam. Expect more bank showing than usual.
Most fishing here is from the bank. Seqwater lists six recreation areas for shore fishing (see Hot Spots). You can also fish from a canoe or kayak, but only inside the public paddle zone (Zone 2). There is no public motor boating. Electric boats are for members and guests of the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association only. There is no swimming or camping, and dogs are not allowed.
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). Saratoga: 50cm minimum, 1 per person. Mary River cod: 60cm minimum, 1 per person. This lake is one of the listed exceptions to the state-wide no-take rule. 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 North Pine Dam wall.
Emergency: 000. SES: 132 500.
Landbased
- Seqwater allows shore fishing only along the designated recreation areas: Bullocky Rest, Forgan Cove, Forgan Park, Kobble Creek, McGavin View and Tukuwompa Park. Much of the land around the lake is private property. Don't fish or launch from private land. Stick to the signed recreation areas.
- Take all your line and hooks home or put them in a bin. Wildlife gets caught in old line.
Offshore
- Paddle craft only, Zone 2: Public canoes and kayaks may use the designated paddle zone (Zone 2) 7 days a week. Launch only from Forgan Cove, off Forgan Road. Paddle craft with electric or petrol motors are not allowed. You may fish from your paddle craft inside Zone 2. Stay in your zone.
- Club zones: Zone 3 is for Pine Rivers Fish Management Association members only (electric boating for members and guests). Zone 4 is for Lake Samsonvale Water Sports Association members only. Zones 1 and 5 are no access.
- No public motor boats or sailing: Public sailing and motorised boating are not permitted.
- Safety: Wear a lifejacket, keep away from the dam wall, and check Seqwater's recreation and safety notices before you go. Emergency: 000. SES: 132 500.
Hot Spots
- Forgan Cove (Forgan Road, Joyner): Shoreline fishing area, and the only launch point for public canoes and kayaks.
- Forgan Park (Forgan Road, Joyner): Shoreline fishing area.
- Bullocky Rest (Forgan Road, Joyner): Shoreline fishing area. A walking trail links it to Forgan Cove.
- Tukuwompa Park (Forgan Road, Joyner): Shoreline fishing area.
- Kobble Creek (Mt Samson Road, Kobble Creek): Shoreline fishing area.
- McGavin View (Vores Road, Whiteside): Shoreline fishing area. Since February 2026 part of the park nearest the dam wall has been fenced off for dam works, so some parking is gone.
Emergency & Safety
- SES (State Emergency Service): 132 500 | Emergency: 000
