Freshwater fishing at the forefront for Joseph Nugent on the border of Queensland and New South Wales
Situated on the Queensland and New South Wales border, Glenlyon Dam is a popular recreational hub frequented by outdoor enthusiasts from both sides of the border. It is a moderate-sized facility managed by SunWater that serves as a water source for nearby farmland.
However, it is well known for its use in recreational water sports and fishing, frequently popping up for those seeking Murray cod fishing in proximity to Brisbane. The dam is less than four hours’ drive from Brisbane, has a range of comfortable accommodation options and boasts excellent fishing all year round.
Whether you’re into skiing, kayaking, fishing or camping Glenlyon Dam has something for you. The dam itself covers about 1800 hectares and consists mainly of rocky banks, submerged timber and in some areas, underwater cave systems. On average it is 4.5m deep but, depending on the dam level, it can reach over 20m deep in some areas. Other than the dam wall, there are no restrictions on recreational activities on the dam. It is commonly used for water skiing, but fishing is by far the most popular pastime at Glenlyon. Eel-tailed catfish and bony bream are present and breed naturally in the dam. It is stocked regularly with Murray cod, along with golden and silver perch.
‘Cod watching’ is also popular at Glenlyon. Each year between August and October, many Murray cods make their way to the dam wall to seek suitable ground to breed. As the dam wall is a no fishing zone, it becomes a hive of activity. So much so, that it is not uncommon to see people lining the roadway above the dam wall with binoculars and cameras watching and photographing the cod as they swim along the wall interacting with one another.
To keep you comfortable during your stay, the Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park is well equipped and has the facilities to cater to a range of needs. The website provides the most accurate and up to date information about the park, which features a number of accommodation options such as powered cabins, powered and unpowered campsites. Additionally, they have a well-equipped kiosk which sells food, fuel, ice, fishing tackle and much more. Boat hire is also available from the tourist park. At the time of writing, there were two boats available, both 12ft aluminum with 4hp motors. Make no mistake, they don’t go anywhere in a hurry but they’re adequate for getting around the dam with the family or a few mates. Phone service can be patchy on the drive out to the dam, however there is a phone tower close by, providing full mobile coverage for those on the Telstra network.
Organising a trip to Glenlyon is straightforward and is done online. Booking accommodation and boat hire from the tourist park are done via the email on their website. Accommodation options vary in price and comfort from the cabins being the top of the range at $100 per night to the unpowered camps being the most basic for $30 per night. Additional people can be added to camps for $7 and discount rates apply for camps booked for seven days or more. Boat hire is $70 for a half day and $100 for a full day. In addition, Glenlyon Dam is a stocked facility and requires a stocked impoundment permit, which can be purchased online or directly from the tourist park.
Being exempt from seasonal fishing closures, Glenlyon Dam can be fished all year round. From speaking with the locals, the best time to target large Murray cod on the dam tends to be winter. This is a common theme throughout the region. During the cooler months, smaller fish tend to shut down and the larger ones continue to feed to maintain their size. Spring is considered the best time to target golden perch and smaller cod as they generally won’t feed much during the winter. As spring comes along, they need to feed again, making them an easier target for anglers.
As for tactics on the dam, both lures and bait have proved successful when used correctly. Most lure anglers have success trolling deep diving hard body lures along rocky edges. Depending on the lure choice, this method has been seen to produce both Murray cod and golden perch. Casting among submerged timber is also a popular technique. This can be done with a variety of lures. Deep diving hard bodies, spinner baits and large soft plastics are common choices for targeting cod. Whereas smaller deep diving lures, vibes and blades are popular when targeting golden perch. Live shrimp are also a good choice for golden perch. Many anglers will anchor or tie off to partially exposed timber and drop bait below to draw golden perch out from the submerged root systems.
Tourist park owners Brian and Debbie Dare have been keeping the site well maintained for over 35 years and provide everything needed to ensure a comfortable stay on the water’s edge. Brian is more than happy to point visitors in the right direction for fishing spots and explain some of the history and lesser-known details of the dam. The unpowered camps are basic but more than adequate, offering flat grassy areas under shady trees with the odd fire pit and access to the amenities block. Camp areas and the amenities are clean, tidy and fit for purpose.
We hired a boat for a day to try a variety of fishing techniques including trolling the rocky banks, casting among the trees and travelling to likely spots to tie the boat off and fish a section of the dam from shore. All these methods proved successful, and we caught Murray cod along with golden and silver perch. We had purchased lures from the kiosk but the standout from this trip was our handmade timber lure in brown and white. This lure proved to be somewhat of a perch magnet as it has a tight action and dives quite deep.
After securing fish for dinner, we got to work processing them at the purpose-built fileting station. The station is accessible for anyone staying at the tourist park and consists of a stainless-steel bench, wooden cutting boards, running water and a light, all contained under a small shelter. Anyone interested in freshwater fishing should check out Glenlyon Dam.
What fish can you catch at Glenlyon Dam?
Murray cod, golden perch, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish and bony bream.
Do you need a permit to fish at Glenlyon Dam?
Yes, a stocked impoundment permit (SIP) is required.
Is camping available at Glenlyon Dam?
Yes, the Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park offers cabins, powered sites, and unpowered campsites.
Can you hire boats at Glenlyon Dam?
Yes, 12ft aluminum boats with 4hp motors are available for hire.
When is the best time to fish at Glenlyon Dam?
Winter for large Murray cod, spring for golden perch and smaller cod.
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