Fishing Wee Jasper & Goodradigbee River
General fishing in Wee Jasper & Goodradigbee River is highly seasonal, peaking during the warmer months when massive insect hatches trigger aggressive surface feeding. Anglers must navigate swift currents and fluctuating alpine flows shaped by mountain rainfall. Peak water clarity makes a stealthy approach critical when targeting wild trout in the shallow runs.
Land-based anglers can enjoy world-class access along the four beautiful public reserves lining the riverbanks. Wading the shallow gravel flats and casting inline spinners or drifting wet flies yields highly consistent results. Anglers should utilize felt-soled boots to safely traverse the slippery granite rocks and swift flows.
Offshore and boat fishing is best suited for kayaks or canoes exploring the deep pools and backed-up river reaches. Paddlers can launch at the Billy Grace Launching Area or Carey's Reserve Day Launch to target trout holding near sunken log jams. Drifting silently along the timbered margins while casting deep-diving minnow lures is highly effective for resident fish.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Billy Grace Reserve: Wading anglers can target active trout and redfin at the junction of Goodradigbee River and Wee Jasper Creek. This expansive reserve offers gentle grassy banks that are highly accessible for family-friendly bait soaking. Casting lightweight spinners or floating live mudeyes along the weed margins during summer evening hatches is extremely productive.
- Micalong Creek Reserve: This shaded streamside reserve features beautiful deep pools and fast runs where wild rainbow trout feed actively. Wading upstream while casting small inline spinners or drifting nymphs on light fly setups is highly effective during spring. Wading with felt-soled boots is recommended to safely navigate the slippery granite riverbed and strong currents.
- Swinging Bridge Reserve: This quiet riverside bank offers prime deep-water access for traditional shore-based bait fishing and lure casting. Anglers can walk the gravelly banks and target resident trout, redfin, and carp in the slow-flowing eddies. Setting a floating bubble float with scrubworms or casting small metal spoons yields highly consistent strikes.
- Fitzpatrick Trackhead Reserve: Located near the start of the famous Hume and Hovell walking track, this land-based spot provides access to shaded public riverine banks. Anglers can target cruising salmonids in the clear pools using stealthy dry-fly presentations during summer caddis hatches. Wading is required to cross the deeper sections safely as the banks are heavily timbered.
Offshore
- Goodradigbee River deep channels: Boaters can drift silently through the deep river bends to target large, cautious brown trout holding near sunken logs. Casting small deep-diving minnows or slow-rolling soft plastics along the rocky drop-offs yields outstanding results. It is important to watch for shallow underwater rocks and log debris when navigating the river.
- Micalong Swimming Hole: Kayakers and canoeists can fish the deep margins of this shaded pool where active schools of redfin school. Slow-rolling small soft plastics on lightweight jigheads close to the rocky structure is exceptionally successful in the afternoon. The clear water requires using light fluorocarbon leaders and keeping boat noise to a minimum.
- Billy Grace Grand Reach: Boaters can troll medium-diving hardbodies along the deep channels where the river current slows. Keeping your lures close to the submerged timber structure is the premier tactic for triggering strikes from native species. Monitoring your sounder for suspended schools of baitfish is key to locating active fish.
- Swinging Bridge deep runs: This narrow riverine stretch is best fished from a kayak or small boat by casting spinnerbaits into deep log snags. The flowing currents attract fit, hard-fighting trout that feed actively on the rich local insect life. Boaters should utilize electric motors to hold position safely in the flowing water.
Hot Spots
- Fitzpatrick Trackhead Pools: These clear riverine pools hold wild brown trout responding well to a stealthy dry-fly approach.
- Micalong Swimming Hole Pool: This popular pool holds excellent schools of redfin that can be targeted with soft plastics.
- Wee Jasper Creek Junction: This junction attracts schools of trout seeking cooler water inflows during the warm summer.
- The Chutes: This narrow, fast-flowing rapid section is a prime target for casting small spinners to holding rainbow trout.
- Careys Cave Reach: This deep pool located near the limestone formations provides excellent holding shelter for large brown trout.
Local Bait Tips
- Earthworms: Earthworms are harvested by digging in damp soil under leaf litter along the moist riparian zones of the valley. Digging for bait is strictly prohibited within the adjacent national park and reserve boundaries to prevent soil erosion.
- 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. Collectors must hold a valid New South Wales recreational fishing fee receipt and keep their catch for personal use.
- Freshwater Shrimp: Shrimps are collected by placing a legal shrimp trap baited with cat food along submerged logs in slower sections of the river. Trap dimensions must strictly comply with NSW DPI rules and are not permitted to be used in trout waters.
Boat Ramps
- Billy Grace Launching Area:
Billy Grace Launching Area: Positioned within the **Billy Grace Reserve** along Nottingham Road in the **Wee Jasper** section of Lake Burrinjuck, this facility is located on the Murrumbidgee River arm. It features an **unsealed shoreline launching area** suited primarily for kayaks, canoes, and small, light-draft vessels. Managed as part of the local reserve, the site is complemented by camping areas, picnic shelters, and public toilets. Waterway access is highly variable, experiencing rapid silting, sandbar accumulation, and shallow drafts during seasonal drawdowns of the Burrinjuck reservoir.
- Careys Reserve Day Launch:
Careys Reserve Day Launch: Located at **Careys Reserve** within the **Wee Jasper** section of Lake Burrinjuck, this day-use launching point provides unsealed, direct shoreline access into the Murrumbidgee River arm. It features a **primitive, unsealed launching path** suitable primarily for canoes, kayaks, and small inflatable craft. On-site facilities are limited to picnic tables and a basic day-rest area, with camping strictly prohibited. Boaters face significant **low-water grounding and silting hazards** as the unpaved approach degrades easily and loses traction when reservoir levels are drawn down.
Bait and Tackle
- Wee Jasper Shop Kiosk: 5 Nottingham Road, Wee Jasper NSW 2582 | Phone: (02) 6227 9626
Basecamp & Accom
- Wee Jasper Station Shearers Quarters: 6226 Wee Jasper Road, Wee Jasper NSW 2582 | Phone: (02) 6227 9626
- Wee Jasper Station Garden Cottage: 6226 Wee Jasper Road, Wee Jasper NSW 2582 | Phone: (02) 6227 9626
- Billy Grace Reserve Campground: 5 Nottingham Road, Wee Jasper NSW 2582 | Phone: (02) 6227 9626
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Yass Police Station: 47 Rossi Street, Yass NSW 2582 | Phone: (02) 6226 9399
