Lake Awoonga is a particularly exciting stocked impoundment, having produced barramundi to 30kg+, and some giant mangrove jacks.
Awoonga offers perhaps the best chance of catching an impoundment jack in Queensland.
An 80cm jack was caught by one lucky angler, although these fish are incredibly elusive and targeted by very few.
A massive 36.5kg barramundi was landed in 2008, and many barramundi over 20kg are caught annually.
The dam has been stocked with multiple species, primarily barramundi, redclaw crayfish, and fork-tailed catfish.
By 2006, 2.9 million fish had been released, including 2.4 million barramundi, 470,000 sea mullet, and 15,000 mangrove jacks.
By 2013, the stocking numbers had grown even further:
Around 300,000 fingerlings are released each year by the Gladstone Area Water Board Fish Hatchery, mainly barramundi, mangrove jacks, and mullet.
As with most dams, redclaw populations fluctuate.
Accommodation is available at Lake Awoonga Caravan Park.
There is a recreation area at the lake featuring toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, a kiosk, playground, lookout, walking tracks, and a restaurant.
No boating restrictions apply at Awoonga, except for a no-go zone in front of the dam wall.
How to Fish Lake Awoonga
Awoonga is a large water body and can get rough, especially with the afternoon sea breeze.
With the large fish in Awoonga, 15kg to 25kg braided lines and 40kg fluorocarbon leaders are typical.
Lures need quality split rings and 4X/6X hooks.
Like most stocked dams in Queensland, Awoonga produces the occasional barramundi in cooler weather, though warmer conditions are better.
Generally, fish deeper during midday, but shallow areas may yield barramundi warming in the sun.
Focus on casting to timber and weedbeds in the mornings and afternoons.
Bony bream bait balls in summer often keep barramundi out in the open lake.
Awoonga mangrove jacks are elusive, having excellent eyesight and a wary nature.
The lake occasionally suffers from low water levels, and it sometimes overflows, allowing barramundi to escape over the dam wall into the Boyne River.
In 2010, an estimated 25,000 large barramundi went over the wall, significantly boosting fishing in the Boyne River, though some fish showed signs of stress due to the sudden population increase.
However, regular restocking and the barramundi’s rapid growth rate soon restore fishing after spillway floods.
The Gladstone Area Water Board offers a Track My Fish Lake Awoonga App that collects data on fish numbers, sizes, and health. Fishers are encouraged to use the app, with prizes available. More info is here.
A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish at Awoonga, available at the campsite office.
Here is a list of recommended tackle for freshwater fishing, including within stocked dams.
QLD dam water levels
Qld stocked dam permits
QLD fishing regulations
Return to QLD fishing map
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