Fact Sheet for Penstock Lagoon

Introduction:

Penstock Lagoon was created in the 1930’s and used as a water storage for the Waddamana power station until its decommissioning in 1994. Throughout its history, Penstock has been a fly fishing water of high repute. The water is no longer used for electricity production but its water quality and quantity is managed by the Inland Fisheries Service and the Hydro to ensure the future of the fishery. Since the change in water management for the lagoon, there are no longer reliable spawning facilities and only limited natural recruitment. Regular stocking by the Inland Fisheries Service maintains the trout populations. Penstock offers a variety of habitats, from weedy marshes to forested rocky shores. Angling is restricted to fly-fishing. There is much to offer anglers whether they fish from the shore or a boat. Water levels are highest in spring but overall do not vary greatly. Much of the lagoon is shallow with some submerged timber and rocks, boat operators should be wary of these hazards. Owing to its small size and popularity, anglers are advised to respect the needs of other users.

Fishing Information:

Early in the season when water levels are high, sight fishing to brown trout in the shallow weedy margins on the western shore provides good fishing. During spring, blind casting around the rocky shores can also be successful as trout are often found chasing small native fish (galaxia) that spawn on the rocks. As the weather warms up, from November onwards, prolific hatches mayfly and caddis occur and offer good dry fly fishing. Fishing with wet flies while drifting around the lagoon in a boat is productive throughout much of the season.

Region:

Central

Other Fish:

The climbing galaxias (Galaxias brevipinnis), the spotted galaxias (G. truttaceus), The Great Lake paragalaxias (Paragalaxias eletroides) and the Shannon paragalaxias (P. dissimillis) have populations at Penstock Lagoon. Short-finned eels (Anguilla australis) occur in low numbers.

Facilities:

One campground and a boat ramp exist on the western shore of Penstock. There are no toilet or shower facilities.

Regulations and Species

Stocking Information

[View Stocking list as of 08-11-2009 (49 Entries)]