New South Wales Council of Freshwater Anglers
Fostering a sustainable freshwater fishery
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NSW CFA Region 1
Fishing Guide to Central West

The Central Tablelands and Central Western Slopes of NSW offer a variety of fishing opportunities ranging from excellent native fishing in the lower sections in the western section of the region to trout fishing in the higher, cooler waters of the eastern areas. The proximity to Sydney of these rivers and impoundments make them a popular choice for many freshwater anglers.

Types of fishing
Bait fishing, lure fishing and fly fishing are all popular and successful. Fishing is possible from boats, canoes and from the bank in most areas. Major impoundments stocked with native fish and trout offer a variety of boat-based angling opportunities.

Fish to catch
Estuary perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, European carp, catfish, Murray cod, redfin, silver perch and golden perch.

Places to fish
Popular stocked impoundments include Ben Chifley Dam, Burrendong Dam, Carcoar Dam, Lake Canobolas, Lake Lyell, Lake Wallace (Wallerawang Dam) (no powerboats allowed), Oberon Dam, Thompsons Creek Dam (no boats allowed), Wyangala Dam and Windamere Dam. Lyell, Wallerawang and Thompsons Creek Dam offer exceptional trout fishing, Wyangala offers both native species and trout. Other impoundments carry mostly native fish. Most of these impoundments have excellent accommodation, camping and boat hire facilities close by.

The area contains hundreds of small creeks and streams which carry both natives and trout. Some of these streams are very remote and difficult to access. But nearly all the easily accessed streams offer good fishing, including all the rivers upstream and downstream of the dams mentioned above.

Rivers worth a try include the Cudgegong, Macquarie, Lachlan, Belubula, Abercrombie, Campbells, Fish, Duckmaloi, Coxs, Turon, Tuglow, Cowmung, Bell rivers and Molong Creek.. In the higher country some of these streams are declared trout waters so make sure you are fishing within the official season dates (see the Industry & Investment NSW website for details).


Fly-fishing, Central Tablelands
Photo John Coles

Tips for visitors
1. Always ask permission to enter private property. Most streams and impoundments are public waters but the land around them is often private property. If in doubt, politely ask permission. Many streams in this region are only accessible via private property which you cannot enter without permission.
2. Be careful on Impoundments. This region contains some of the largest and most popular recreational fishing impoundments in the State, but water levels can vary greatly during the year...be very careful of boating hazards such as dead trees and exposed rocks.

Weather information
Click here for a direct link to Bureau of Meteorology forecasts for this region.

Safe fishing guide
Click here to link to www.safefishing.com.au, from the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Useful info and links

NSW Department of Industry and Investment (Fisheries)

Freshwater fishing guide
Click here for NSW DII's guide to freshwater fishing in NSW

An angling licence is required for all these waters
Click here for recreational angling licence information from NSW DII

Fishing regulations apply
Click here for information from NSW DII on fishing seasons, closures, gear regulations and species size and catch regulations.

Tackle shops and boating

Got any info that should be added here? Click here to email us and let us know.

Accommodation

Blayney Tourist & Community Information Centre
97 Adelaide Street, Blayney, New South Wales 2799
Ph: (02) 6368 3534

Boorowa Visitors Information Centre and Arts & Craft Co-op
Old Courthouse Building, Marsden Street, Boorowa, New South Wales 2586
Ph: (02) 6385 3885

Canowindra Visitor Information Centre
Cnr Gaskill & Ferguson Streets, Canowindra, New South Wales 2804
Ph: (02) 6344 1008

Condobolin Visitor Information Centre
18 William Street, Condobolin, New South Wales 2877
Ph: (02) 6895 3301

Cowra Visitor Information Centre
Olympic Park, Mid Western Highway, Cowra, New South Wales 2794
Ph: (02) 6342 4333

Dubbo Visitors Centre & Events Bureau
Cnr Newell Highway & Macquarie, Dubbo, New South Wales 2830
Ph: (02) 6801 4450

Forbes Visitor Information Centre
Union Street, Forbes, New South Wales 2871
Ph: (02) 6852 4155

Gulgong Visitor Information Centre
109 Herbert Street, Gulgong, New South Wales 2852
Ph: (02) 6374 1202

Gunning Visitor Information Centre
56 Yass Street, Gunning, New South Wales 2581
Ph: (02) 4845 1394

Lithgow Visitor Information Centre
Great Western Highway, Lithgow, New South Wales 2790
Ph: (02) 6353 1859
Ph: 1300 760 276

Mudgee Visitor Information Centre
84 Market Street, Mudgee, New South Wales 2850
Ph: (02) 6372 1020

Oberon Visitor Information Centre
Cnr of Ross Street & Edith Road, Oberon, New South Wales 2787
Ph: (02) 6336 0666

Orange Visitor Information Centre
Byng Street, Civic Gardens, Orange, New South Wales 2800
Ph: (02) 6393 8226
Ph: 1800 069 466

Parkes Visitor Information Centre
Corner Newell Highway and Thomas Street, Parkes, New South Wales 2870
Ph: (02) 6863 8860
Ph: 1800 624 365

Peak Hill Visitor Information Centre
62 Caswell Street, Peak Hill, New South Wales 2869
Ph: (02) 6869 7981

Wellington Tourist Information Centre
Cameron Park, New South Wales 2820
Ph: (02) 6845 1733
Ph: 1800 621 614

West Wyalong Visitor Information Centre
89-91 Main Street, West Wyalong, New South Wales 2671
Ph: (02) 6972 3645

Young Information Centre
2 Short Street, Young, New South Wales 2594
Ph: (02) 6382 3394
Google map

View Larger Map
You can join a NSW CFA affiliated fishing club in this region

Central Acclimatisation Society
Contact Tom Williams
matey.williams@bigpond.com

Fly Fish Bathurst
Contact Terry Rowling
tcrowling@ix.net.au

Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society
Contact Rodney Tonkin
rodney.tonkin@colourcity.com

Professional Fishing Instructors & Guides Association
Contact Steve Williamson
swtrout@airlan.com.au

We appreciate all feedback and any extra information. Click here to send your comments.


The NSW will soon provide a complete guide to freshwater fishing in NSW...the first sections are already available:



CFA Region 1: North Coast and Ranges

CFA Region 2: Sydney and Central

CFA Region 3 and 4:Southern Highlands and South Coast, ACT, Monaro and Snowy Mountains

CFA Region 5: Central West

CFA Region 6: South West

 
 
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