Lake St Clair is a scenic impoundment in the foothills of the Mount Royal Range in Barrington Tops National Park.

The lake was created by damming Glennies Creek in 1983, 40km upstream from the Glennies Creek-Hunter River junction, 25km from Singleton.

The dam wall is 67m high, making an impoundment 5km long and up to 3km wide the lake when full, with a surface area of 1540ha and a potential storage capacity of about half the volume of Sydney Harbour.

The lake supplies potable water for Singleton, and irrigation and mining water for the Hunter Valley, so levels can fluctuate greatly.

Yellowbelly, silver perch and bass are stocked, and bass have thrived.

The lake has some weed-lined banks, standing and fallen timber, but only a few rocky areas.

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work, and surface lures are productive in hot weather.

The lake’s small amount of standing timber is mostly close to the shore.

The foreshores near the timber provide good landbased fishing, particularly on the southern bank.

The bank below the road following the eastern shoreline is a good location to fish in the early morning.

Because the dam is in the hills, it is reasonably protected and usually suitable for small boats and canoes, but care is still required as it is a large waterway and the weather can change quickly.

Watersports are popular, so week-day fishing is more peaceful.

Facilities include a few powered and many unpowered campsites and almost unlimited bush camping.

Barbecues, hot showers, toilets, boat ramp and a kiosk are available.

Fees apply. Call Lake St Clair Park on (02) 6577 3370 for details. Fishing licences are sold by the lake caretaker.

Lake Glenbawn is another top bass fishery located in this region.

NSW dam levels
NSW stocked waters
Sydney dam levels
NSW fishing regulations

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