Lake Keepit is located in the New England region of northern New South Wales.

It is 60km west of Tamworth on the Namoi River, 13km up from its junction with Peel River, between the towns of Gunnedah and Manilla, about 400km north of Sydney.

The dam was built in 1961, and the lake can store 425,000 megalitres when full.

The lake registered zero per cent for several months, following the severe drought of 2019.

There is high water demand on the impoundment, as it provides potable water for Walgett, irrigation water for the Namoi Valley, and hydro-electricity.

However, even at zero per cent, there is a pool against the dam wall that allows fish to survive.

The lake level was around 40 per cent in January 2020, and good fish were being caught, however it may take time for stocks to improve in number and condition.

When the lake is fishing well, large murray cod are a regular catch, along with yellowbelly, silver perch, carp, eel-tailed catfish and eels.

Keepit has been historically one of the better cod lakes, but carp and yellowbelly are the main catch.

Cod can be caught all year, with yellowbelly best in spring and summer.

Surface fishing for cod – often deemed a summer activity – can be very good in winter, with fish feeding up against the banks.

When levels are low rocky islands appear, and these are a boating hazard.

The lake’s park has gas-fired barbecues, and picturesque picnic spots.

Watersports are popular so week-day fishing is best during holidays.

Fishos can also try their luck at the 4 Mile Travelling Stock Reserve Campground near Gunnedah.

The reserve extends along Blue Vale Road. There are no facilities but visitors can catch yellowbelly, catfish, carp and shrimp.

The reserve water flow is controlled from Lake Keepit.

NSW dam levels
Lake Keepit park map
NSW stocked waters
Sydney dam levels
NSW fishing regulations

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