Lake Wivenhoe is on the Brisbane River, 150km above the river’s mouth that flows into Brisbane’s Moreton Bay.
A dam built in 1985 created the impoundment, which covers almost 11,000ha when full, averaging 11m deep.
Lake Somerset is located upstream of Wivenhoe, but on the Stanley River, a major tributary of Brisbane River.
Lake Wivenhoe was once only for electric, paddle or sail powered boats, but 4-stroke and direct injection motors are now allowed, with a speed limit of six knots.
Wivenhoe has similar fish to Lake Somerset, including redclaw crayfish.
Bass are probably the main catch, with the less popular forktail catfish sometimes in plague proportions.
Bony bream are abundant in Wivenhoe and Somerset, which probably accounts for the large size of bass in these waters.
For Brisbane fishos, the main bass dams are Wivenhoe, Somerset, Moogerah and Maroon, with Boondooma and Bjelke Petersen dams also producing good fish.
In winter and spring bass school, but being in landlocked waters, they can’t breed.
During this time of year, find the schools by trolling in the 10-12m depth range and watch the sounder.
The former Brisbane River bed is a good course to follow in both Wivenhoe and Somerset.
The bass can be fickle, biting furiously one day and then not the next.
In summer, surface fishing can be exciting.
Wivenhoe Dam is scenic and has excellent camping facilities, but its popularity means you should book in advance.
Captain Logan camping area turnoff is from the Fernvale /Esk Toogoolawah Road, signed as Hay Road, then turn at Logan Inlet Road.
There are 57 campsites on each side of the point in the lake, with amenities.
There are no powered sites at Captain Logan Inlet, so no battery easy charging.
There is a boat ramp on the west side of the point.
Lumley Hill campground is across the inlet and east of Captain Logan Inlet, with 105 campsites.
There are powered sites, good if you must charge electric motor batteries.
Wivenhoe visitors need a boating permit and stocked impoundment permit, and a camping permit if staying.
The Brisbane River below Lake Wivenhoe has also been stocked, mainly with bass.
Here is a list of recommended tackle for freshwater fishing, including within stocked dams.
Wivenhoe Dam day use area
Queensland dam water levels
Qld stocked impoundment permits
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