Fact Sheet for Dee Lagoon

Introduction:

Dee Lagoon was created in 1955 as hydroelectric storage for the Tungatinah power development. Water from the upper Dee catchment is diverted from the lagoon via a tunnel into Bradys Lake. The Lagoon is surrounded by tall eucalypt forest and consequently, shore based fly fishing can be difficult. The use of a boat is recommended although certainly not essential as reasonable numbers of trout are captured by spinning or fly fishing from the shore. Dee Lagoon is managed as a rainbow fishery with the rainbow trout population maintained by annual supplementary stocking. The brown trout population is self-sustaining. In 2005 brook trout were stocked into Dee Lagoon. Anglers catches consist generally of half rainbows and half browns depending on the area fished.

Fishing Information:

Dee Lagoon consist of two distinct areas, the southern open water basin that holds good numbers of rainbows and the timbered northern basin that is favoured by brown trout. The lagoon is renown for its mass hatchings of midge and huge gum beetle falls. Wind-lane feeding rainbow trout can be targeted in the southern basin on relatively calm frosty mornings, but a boat is essential. Brown trout can also be found feeding on midge in the northern basin although they are often just out of reach of the shore angler. During the warmer weather (December to April) prolific beetle falls occur and both brown and rainbow trout can be found rising freely. The best areas are The Neck, Hill 24, Station Bay and Brownie Bay. Trolling lures is also a popular method that accounts for good numbers of fish.

Fisheries Management Information:

Dee Lagoon is managed as a rainbow trout fishery meaning that it is open from the end of September till the start of June. There is a resident population of brown trout as well as rainbow trout and in recent times there has been a release of brook trout. Catch rates, angler effort and harvests of all species are monitored via the IFS Angler Postal Survey.

Region:

Central

Other Fish:

Redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) and tench (Tinca tinca) have populations in this water.

Facilities:

Four launching areas are available on the Southwestern shore of the lake which are accessible from the Victoria Valley Rd. Two of these are formal ramps. There is an informal camping area on the north side of the outlet to Bradys Lake.

How To Get There:

There are a number of ways to get to the Dee but by travelling the Lyell Highway to Bronte Lagoon and taking the turn-off to Osterley is the most reliable. This road will take you through to the Victoria Valley Highway (C173) which skirts Dee Lagoon as you head south.

Regulations and Species

Stocking Information

[View Stocking list as of 04-07-2009 (44 Entries)]