Good camping and kayaking spots for Bass??

[geoff72]

Each year the boss treats us at work to a weekend away fishing trip. The last 2 years we went to Morton Is but i suggested we go the fresh this year. I love catching bass from my yak and the boss has one to and the other guys can share a canoe. Does anyone know where is a good place where you can camp with an open fire and fish allday at a dam or river system semi close to the Gold Coast with some good freshwater fishing?

Cheers
Geoff

[Pete62]

Hi Geoff, if it's not to far to drive, Copmanhurst, about 20k's west of Grafton, good camping on the river bank, no facilities, and perfect for canoes. Easy downstream paddle or upstream from a small race near the campsite. Also it's a good overnight run down from the Lilydale bridge to Copmanhurst.

Pub in the village, 500mts from river, serves good meals and icy cold beverages.

Hope that helps, Pete.

[geoff72]

Thanks pete, hows is the fishing in there?

[Pete62]

mate, same as anywhere can b hot n cold but for the next couple of months it will be at it's best.
Downstream u have good overhanging snags, steep rock walls and weed beds, just opposite where u camp is a great set of shallow rapids that with a bit of fresh running over them can produce some really good fish.

Possibly better fishing is upstream from the rapids, doesn't get the fishing pressure that downstream get's.

They will take most presentations with Jitterbugs and the like on the surface dawn and dusk being the most fun.

Water levels r good at the moment, good boat ramp and plenty of spots to swim.


Google earth it if u can, u can follow the river all the way down from the Lilydale bridge to Copmanhurst.

When r u planning your trip?

Cheer's Pete.

PS most people C&R so u r almost certain of getting fish.

[rayken1938]

Maroon dam has 3 private campgrounds that are situated up in the timbered area of the dam so you are not annoyed by ski boats etc and also has the best fishing.
Do a google on camping maroon dam.
Camp Pointro run by Anglican Church.
Camp Lakefire. Cabins or camping. A group of us stayed there last and the caretaker was a bit of a nark cracking on about noise after 10pm when we were the only people there. He may have moved on as owner has had several complaints re his gestapo attitude. Cabins ok and you can leave your boats on waters edge but they are out of sight of camp grounds and cabins. Launch from bank ok but access road a bit steep for front wheel drive cars with trailers on.
Maroon holiday park. Mate has stayed there and was very impressed.
Cheers
Ray

[gaz066]

Geoff, check out Cressbrook Dam , good camping facilities , good size dam for a yak or canoe , fishing fairly good and 8 knot speed limit so no skiers.

It's about 30 minutes west from Esk

[geoff72]

mate, same as anywhere can b hot n cold but for the next couple of months it will be at it's best.
Downstream u have good overhanging snags, steep rock walls and weed beds, just opposite where u camp is a great set of shallow rapids that with a bit of fresh running over them can produce some really good fish.

Possibly better fishing is upstream from the rapids, doesn't get the fishing pressure that downstream get's.

They will take most presentations with Jitterbugs and the like on the surface dawn and dusk being the most fun.

Water levels r good at the moment, good boat ramp and plenty of spots to swim.


Google earth it if u can, u can follow the river all the way down from the Lilydale bridge to Copmanhurst.

When r u planning your trip?

Cheer's Pete.

PS most people C&R so u r almost certain of getting fish.
Thanks pete, i am trying to talk the boss into an april may trip, maybe erarly april, are they good times?
cheers
geoff

[Pete62]

Yep, April would still be OK, May is getting a bit past the prime. Water levels r your only other issue, if there has been any amount of rain the river will come up quite quickly, Copmanhurst is more than half way to the headwaters of the Clarence so it is a huge catchment area.

There is a website, www.waterinfo.nsw.gov.au where u can keep an eye out for level increases.

Hope this helps, Pete.