Fishing Tantangara Dam
General fishing in Tantangara Dam is highly active from spring through to early winter as the cold, elevated climate keeps trout feeding aggressively. Water levels fluctuate drastically with hydro-electricity transfers, exposing clay flats, gravel banks, and submerged ruins. Anglers must adapt to wind-driven swells and shifting currents that naturally concentrate schooling baitfish.
Land-based anglers can find spectacular fishing along the accessible grassy flats, clay points, and gravelly margins. Wading the clear reservoir shores at first light is a highly effective local technique for intercepting cruising brown trout. Drifting live mudeyes or presenting grasshopper-profile flies along the grassy banks is also exceptionally productive during summer.
Offshore and boat fishing is popular for exploring the larger basins, deep reservoir channels, and timbered river reaches. Boaters can use the Tantangara Boat Ramp to launch, though dry season level drops require direct shoreline launch caution. Trolling with leadcore lines or flat-lining Tassie Devils along the old Murrumbidgee riverbed channels yields highly consistent trout catches.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Murrumbidgee River Inflow: The mouth of the river offers world-class river-style land-based fishing. Wading upstream while casting small minnow-profile hardbodies or drifting nymphs under strike indicators yields great results. Anglers must utilize long, accurate casts to avoid casting shadows and spooking fish in the exceptionally clear water.
- Quarry Trail Point: This prominent rocky headland pushes far into the main basin, creating a classic ambush zone for larger brown trout. Anglers should walk the banks quietly and cast inline spinners or metal vibes into the deep points. The best times to fish this bank are during early mornings when atmospheric pressure is rising or stable.
- Nungar Creek Inlet: Located along the northwestern reaches of the lake, these fertile grassy bays are ideal for shore-based bait casting. Soaking large scrub worms or live mudeyes along the clay drop-offs produces consistent trout. The area is highly sheltered from strong winds, making casting easy and comfortable.
- Pedens Cove Shoreline: Soaking live mudeyes or scrubworms under a bubble float along these rocky margins is exceptionally productive. Anglers should cast into the wind-blown shorelines where trout feed. Wading silently in the shallow water allows anglers to spot cruising fish before casting.
- Blue Waterholes Creek Mouth: These steep shale points provide land-based anglers with immediate access to deep-water drop-offs. Casting heavy metal vibes or deep-running hardbodies on medium-light spinning tackle is the best approach. The best times to fish these deep banks are during late autumn when trout actively feed.
Offshore
- Dam Wall Basin: This deep open water area features deep thermoclines where boaters can target suspended schools of trout and redfin. Boaters should utilize downriggers or lead lines during the hot summer months to present lures at depths of twenty to thirty meters. Slow-trolling minnow-profile hardbodies or vertically jigging metal blades yields consistent results.
- Kellys Plain Arm: The extensive sandy flats and deep drop-offs surrounding this arm are a magnet for active trout. Drifting silently while casting minnow-profile hardbodies or slow-rolling small soft plastics is exceptionally deadly here in summer. Boaters should focus their efforts on the wind-blown sides of the arm where baitfish gather.
- Portal Gravity Tunnel: This fast-flowing channel delivers water to Lake Eucumbene. Boaters can troll with leadcore lines or deep-running hardbodies near this fast-flowing current to target large, active brown trout feeding on baitfish. Monitoring depth and speed is critical to keep the lure in the strike zone without snagging.
- Rocky Island Deep: These deep, winding river channel sections feature extensive clay banks and scattered submerged logs. Trolling minnow-profile hardbodies that run comfortably at six to eight 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.
- Western Bays Drift: The western-facing bays are subject to strong winds, creating a highly productive drift for fly and lure anglers casting towards the clay banks. Boaters should note there are no formal launching facilities, so direct shoreline launching is required. The area is highly popular, so arriving early and setting up a polite drift pattern is essential.
Hot Spots
- Providence Portal Inlet: Deep water inlet where water is gravity-fed to Eucumbene, attracting big cruising brown trout.
- Nungar Creek Pools: Deep pools on the tributary creek holding active wild rainbow trout.
- Currango Flat: Shallow sandy flats where grasshoppers are blown onto the water during summer afternoons.
- Portal Tunnel Pool: Deep water pool near the gravity tunnel outlet holding large resident trout.
- Pedens Ledge: Submerged rocky ledge on the eastern arm holding large brown trout in winter.
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.
Bait and Tackle
- Lake to sea discount tackle: 5172 Snowy Mountains Hwy, Adaminaby NSW 2629 | Phone: (02) 6454 2535
Basecamp & Accom
- Providence Park Holiday Park: Lot 2, Providence Portal NSW 2629 | Phone: (02) 6454 2357
- Daffodil Cottage (Tantangara): Tantangara Road, Kosciuszko National Park NSW 2629 | Phone: (02) 6450 5600
- Long Plain Hut Campground: Long Plain Road, Kosciuszko National Park NSW 2629 | Phone: 1300 072 757
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Adaminaby Police Station: 15 Denison St, Adaminaby NSW 2629 | Phone: (02) 6454 2444
