Planning first Moogerah / Maroon Trip

[NormC]

Hi guys. Hope you all had a great Christmas.

I Live on the Gold Coast, but have not yet fished Moogerah or Maroon. Looking to get out there early in the new year. Thinking of about 5 days in total. I've done a bit of a search and found some good info, but some questions if I can?

Is Moogerah Caravan Park and AG Muller Park the same thing? I believe at one of these (or both if it is the same), I can camp on the water edge.

How would I expect the crowds to be in early January (say from around 3rd)?

Where can I camp near Maroon?

Are both dams open all the time? ie can I fish at night if I want to.

Are there likely to be water skiers at both dams?

Any other tips?

Thanks, Norm C

[klyons]

I am planning the same trip only a little shorter, only 2 or 3 days.

Any info regarding launching/ condition of boat ramp would be appreciated in addition to Norms questions.
I have 2 wheel drive only but the boat is small and light and doesn't need much water. I've read the other posts in both Freshwater chat and reports sections and I feel none the wiser

Kev

[bdm56]

Hi NormC

Moogerah Caravan Park and AG Muller Park - different sides of the lake and quite different styles of spot. One is in a george and the other (caravan park) is on the hillside overlooking the lake.

Wouldn't expect large crowds most of the time at all.

Lake is open all the time, night and day.

There is a campimg area at Moroon.

There will be skiers at Maroon but they really dont worry you most of the time. Don't think there are any at Moogerah now as I think not allowed and even if they are at below 6% there are 2 many obstacles in the water for that kind of activity.

KLyons

The boat ramp at Maroon is concrete and still goes into the water. This is quite a good and easy ramp to use. The ramp at Moogerah is (because of the water level much harder to use as the concrete now stops 60 m short of the water and although gravel has been put down from there and into the water there are quite large rocks directly in the launch area so if you are not careful you will end up with a damaged boat or motor or worse. Trick is to walk the water in the trailer/launch area before you put the trailer in. Edges are muddy and not suitable for 2wd.

Tips - Talk to the caretakers of the caravan parks when you get there for local info.

Do a Google search for Moogerah and Maroon for maps and info.

Please take note these are of course stocked impoundments and so out of respect for the hard work and time put in from those who stock them and also other future anglers please release most of your catch. This applies in particular with Moogerah as too many fish taken and there simply won't be the current level where you can catch 10 plus per day. > >

Good luck

[NormC]

Thanks bdm, great info.

Don't worry, we are into C&R. Occasionally keep one for dinner, but never more. Keep the bigger ones long enough for a quick pic, then back in the water.

Is AG Muller Park a free camp? We are fully self sufficient in a camper trailer, so don't need power, water or even toilets for that matter. Do you know if the ramps at AG Muller are usable?

We have a 4WD and a light (3.5M) boat and trailer (aluminium). We can also launch the boat direct off the top of the 4WD if necessary as we carry it as a roof topper. The trailer is a fold up type that I carry on the draw bar of the camper trailer.

Thanks for the info
Norm C

[scotty]

hey \normc

moogerah is not free camping about 17 dollars a night up to 6 ppl boaT ramp bout 6m out of watrer and is easy to lauch from the side of it on the bank

hey bdm56

isnt that why \you pay for a permit >so that the fish you take can be replaced by money you pay eevery time you fish in a dam i do myself c/r but there are times that i will take more than just one fish

[/quote]
Please take note these are of course stocked impoundments and so out of respect for the hard work and time put in from those who stock them and also other future anglers please release most of your catch. This applies in particular with Moogerah as too many fish taken and there simply won't be the current level where you can catch 10 plus per day. > >

Good luck



[/quote]

[bdm56]

No argument with you on keeping the bag limit cod.n.yellahunter.

What I meant was the extreme end of the scale where reports have stated people were taking large numbers (above the bag limit) with the fish concentrated in less water than normal.

And sure we pay to a degree for restocking but it takes time for fingerlings to get to the size suitable for the table. And unless we want to wait a couple of years for that to happen we need to conserve the stocks of adult fish.

Just hope we get good rain and then it gets harder to strip the lake anyway.

[Higgins_Family]

Hi all this is my first time reply to this forum

I,m Jeff 31 male from Goldcoast, also have a wife and 2 girls.

We frequent Lake Moogerah and just got back from a 4 day trip yesterday, so i thought I would be able to pass on some info RE: camping , fishing, skiing.

First off Lake Moogerah is currently at 5.5% with a low algae level, and water temp currently 23c. The fishing (for me ) was quiet but I only used lures, others had small catches of Bass and Perch-yellow belly. There were good schools on sounder in the 2 main creek arms to 30ft. av. depth between 6ft and 15 on the flats. Ski boats are present at Moogerah dam and no stumps are causing hazards yet. There were about 5 on the dam at anyone time but early morning and late evening they dropped off allowing for calm fishing.

Extreme caution needs to be taken at the main boat ramp, the Gravel is almost ended with large rocks on the right and middle of the ramp (when reversing), however if you back down at jack kniife to the left of ramp carefully you will be fine. 2 or 4wd will be fine! I have a new 60hp- 4.5m savage and dropped it in easy. Ski-fish People are also using a deep drop off along the bank on the left side you will see the track leading along the spit.

The camping costs at Moogerah are $20 per tent per night un-powered but you can sneak in an extra tent ect under the one site this also covers you for use of toilets, hot showers ect. The camping register office has firewood $10 / bag, ice and some basic products.Also a $7 family 1 week permit is required for fresh water fishing. Keep in mind Boonah is only 15mins drive for medicines food fuel or alcohol he he he.
We have found a great camping spot just to the right of the boat ramp, its close to the water 10-20meters, has good grass, gentle slope, and some rocks on the right. Plenty of other spots out on the spit(exposed ground normally under water)

I am certain there is no camping at Maroon Dam??? But if you really wanted to go there id camp at Moogerah and take the short drive up ect. The boat ramp is still good there is an amenities block.

Good luck be safe Higgins Family

[yellahunter]

hey guys,

im keen to try moogerah/maroon,
do you know if they are getting many yellas out there,
we seem to get plenty of bass at hinze so wouldnt mind catching something different, if they are available in reasonable numbers which dam would be better and how should i target them

cheers,

Ben

[Higgins_Family]

Hey Ben ,
I know during the week a few Yellow were taken on the western side of Moogerah... using Jackalls a weighted soft plastic, fish body type lure ( i had never seen them) . Available from BCF one of the dearer lures at $25 a pop.
They were both casting and trolling.

[yellahunter]

is that the side near the gorge bit?
up near the wall,
??

[wardypig]

Righto, here is the go for Moogerah. The main boat ramp is stuffed at the moment - water too low. You can as suggested jacknife the trailer to the north of the ramp but it just gets covered in mud. Go further north (follow the track) about 200m to the deep water ramp. It is good there and I have watched plenty of 2wd vehicles launch fine. You could launch anything off this bank.

Then see what the water temp is doing. If it is below 25 degrees it is probably better to target the shallower water in the mornings and evening. If above this, target the deeper water of the main 2 creek arms using any kind of sinking lure - plastics, rattlers, silent crankbaits, sliders etc. During the middle of the day I have found huge schools of both bass and yellas in the main basin in 8-10m of water. They tend to fire up right on lunch time and they will absolutely smash anything that moves, but especially loud and/or flashy offerings. At night you can try the edges toward the dam wall using surface lures or concentrating on the main basin will also produce.

The water skiers have not been banned from the place as has been previously posted and it can get crowded very quickly. Because it is such a small lake there really is no escaping them. The best time to go is in the middle of the week outside of school holidays on the hottest day you can find. Don't know anything about the caravans/cabins but the camping by the water is great. Hope this helps.

[thepato]

You can camp at Maroon over at Pointro on the opposite side of the lake to the ramp. Haven't been there for a couple of years so I don't know if anything has changed regarding the camping. It used to be signed and accessed by travelling toward Rathdowney along Boonah-Rathdowney Rd from the dam, take the first right and you'll be there a few K's later.

[bdm56]

Yep, the camping at Maroon is (or was) or on the other side opposite the ramp and to get there if I remember correctly you turn left at the bottom of the hill where you would normally go staight ahead to the boat ramp. Then somewhere round there you drive over the dam wall to that area.

Haven't been anywhere other than the ramp lately so guess nothings changed ???

[yellahunter]

ok guys,
ive decided to try moogerah on sunday morning,
hopefully the weather will be ok,

i want to catch a yella or two as we only get bass in Hinze,

what is my best chance of getting them ie: lures, areas, techniques etc

any help is m,uch appreciated.

Thanks guys

[Higgins_Family]

Hey Yellohunter>>> As posted by Wardypig

Quote: Then see what the water temp is doing. If it is below 25 degrees it is probably better to target the shallower water in the mornings and evening. If above this, target the deeper water of the main 2 creek arms using any kind of sinking lure - plastics, rattlers, silent crankbaits, sliders etc. During the middle of the day I have found huge schools of both bass and yellas in the main basin in 8-10m of water. They tend to fire up right on lunch time and they will absolutely smash anything that moves, but especially loud and/or flashy offerings. At night you can try the edges toward the dam wall using surface lures or concentrating on the main basin will also produce. :