Thoughts on Wappa,Cooloolabin Dams

[Kuhlia_R]

Just wondering what do fisher folk think of these impoundment? also Ewen Maddock Dam, drive past it but never see any activity on the water.

[kendol]

hey mate i am new here . i fished cooloolibin a few years back only caught a couple of small silvers on worms there are some huge catties in there though. i would not bother with wappa just full of eels and turtles cheers ken

[mangajack]

Hi Kuhlia_R,

Sorry about the late reply mate.

I have fished Cooloolabin dam many times over the years and right down the back of the dam its amazing place for canoe or kayak work.

The dark clear water makes it stunning for sight captures of huge yellowbelly and silvers.

A few other guys have told me of saratoga in there but i am yet to see one for myself.

The yellowbelly are huge tho, so be sure you have ample strength in your setup as the entire dam was flooded rainforest and the snags are everywhere.

Best yellowbelly to date measured 63cm FL and was around the 7kg mark. It was a sight take too, with a deep rattling spot coming up under the canoe, looking at the black water turning into a great gob, and inhaling the lure. Without a doubt my both fists could have fitted in there, and that particular fish was at least 15cm thick from side to side.

I wont fish there with less than 14lb fireline and a short crowbar, you just dont have a chance otherwise down the back.

I heard recently the dam is open to canoe fishing from near the dam wall.......used to be a closed dam to boating and I would sneak in down the back of the dam thru the forestry trails.

Silvers there are big too and readily take flies and lures.

Mangajack

[rivermanau]

Can anyone tell me the rules or regulations for fishing at Cooloolabin?
thanks Robert

[Jeremy87]

Where exactly is Cooloolabin dam/creek, is there good canoe fishing in the creek below the dam wall aswell.

[kendol]

no mate the creek below the wall is just a trickle. plenty of space in the dam though., nice clear deep water, still had a far bit of water in it when i drove past on sunday cheers ken ps by the way the dam is behind yandina on the sunshine coast

[agnes_jack]

Have caught some nice bass below the dam wall at wappa falls, many times.
Best session was 10 in a couple of hours casting.
Have also caught a few yellowbelly in Cooloolabin, but that was over 12 years ago.

Regards, Tony