Harro’s Report January 2012
Welcome to the 2012 Lake and Fishing report.
This will be a monthly feature that will appear here mid-month. That time slot offers the best of both worlds: catches and happenings for the first two weeks and forecasts and predictions that will help those planning to wet a line.
The year just passed was a tough one for fishing. First there was the rain event from last summer which saw many fish go over the spillway…but not as many as some pundits reckon. A recent electro-fish survey confirmed that plenty stayed behind. Sonar returns from the deep water confirm that data. Barra produce a strong and easily recognised signal. Sonar travels through most mediums but not so well through air or vacuum; a Barra swim bladder contains both.
And since January 2011, some 200,000 barra fingerlings have been released with a massive 500,000 infusion planned for this year.
The enlarged Lake basin changed the heat dynamic.Awoonga filled for the first time, an event taking fisherfolk into uncharted waters, so to speak. The activity levels of lake living barramundi are irrevocably linked with water temperatures.
Up until the Christmas just passed, temps in the main basin were still hovering around 25c.
The good news is that they have shot up since then. The rise through 28c has seen fish come on the chew. These include goodly numbers of 50-70cm juveniles. A legal length of 60cms applies to Barramundi which reach the magic metre mark in four years. Apart from being the most scenic of Queensland’s Barra belt lakes, Awoonga is the most food rich. Besides thousand’s of Barra, the bony bream and other bait-fish bio-masses feed incalculable number of cormorants and pelicans.
My most recent charter, on Friday the 13th , by the way was with two Brisbane brothers staying at the park. Surnames escape me but it was pretty hard to forget christian names of Tom and George. They had at least 15 strikes flicking Berkley Hollow Belly soft plastics (available at the Kiosk along with a full range of quality Barra gear priced to sell)
The best fishing is currently in sheltered bays but that will soon spread to the main basin where trolling is so productive.
Predictions / patterns ? Barring a major rain event between now and Easter, we could see, fishing-wise, an Indian Summer. The river between the spillway and highway is firing. In anticipation of another fill, the dam is currently discharging heavily. The Barra are responding to the flow and have moved upstream. The Boyne River would be a good place at present for that trophy fish, but for the closed season. It will be lifted Feb 1st. The act of removing a fish from the water is ample to get one booked for “possession”.
More news when we catch up next month.
Meantime, stay safe. HARRO.
Harro’s Report August 2011
Welcome to the new series of Awoonga Reports. It’s been awhile…a lot has been happening behind the scenes. New park managers Ron and Vicky Vanderplas have done a marvellous job in restoring (and upgrading) the facilities and services left in such a mess by the previous people.
On the fishing front the news is dominated by the twin facts that the lake has finally stopped overflowing, The lake will stabilise and fishing patterns will develop now that the dribble has finally ceased.
For the first time in what’s been a long winter, we’re seeing the water temperatures in the shallow lake fringes climbing above those in the main basin.
This is a significant development. Lake living barramundi have their activity levels dictated by water temperatures and during this time of the year seek out the thermal blanket provided by sun heated patches of water that occur through a 10ish to 4pm window.
The current lake core temperature is 18-19C but some sheltered shallows are registering 20+C. Right now, they are the places for fishos to be. An accurate temperature sensor is an integral part of a modern fishfinder sonar.
Fish frames, big fish by the way, have been reported in the wheelie bins at the Boynedale camp in the lake backblocks. There are camping facilities there but the location has a security problem.
Hatchery manager Kurt Hutchby reports an infusion of 200,000 fingerlings into this lake. That’s just for this year, and there’s more to come. A rescue project on fish trapped below the spillway saw many big barra translocated into the lake along with a couple saratoga the size of ironing boards and mangrove jacks.
All this activity points to another Lake Awoonga fishing boom in the making. Barra reach the magic metre mark in less than 4 years.
Meantime, there are still plenty of fish still in the lake. Reports of a Pied Pier exodus during the spillway overflow were wildly exaggerated hearsay. Truth be known, a lot of the fish that did go had become very difficult to approach and catch. The new blood will change all that.
Regular fortnightly reports will be a feature of the ongoing park upgrade. Meantime I can be caught Sunday afternoons between 5pm and 6pm on Nugget Downie’s 4BC radio programme and at 0418 892 600
Park guest Matt Hart from Darwin puts the finishing touches to a barra hooked while on charter with Harro !
Family Cabin
Suited to families or group bookings.
Features a bunk bed and a double bed.
Combined Lounge and kitchenette.
Private Ensuite.
Harro’s Birdwatch Report April June 2010
Besides being the best location on the planet to wet a line for trophy barramundi, Lake Awoonga and environs is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful fauna and flora.
Those highlights include Pretty Faced Wallabies, so tame they can be forgiven for thinking they’re people, richly coloured parrots, and cute little bandicoots that scurry around at night.
Waterfowl and waders of every description call Awoonga home. The skies overhead are patrolled by a wondrous roster of raptors, majestic eagles to winnowing kestrels, Whistling Kites to whistling death. The hawks, kites, eagles and falcons range from the biggest to the small, the common to the rare, and flappy of flight to the breathtakingly fast.
At this writing they’re nest building. Raptor young hatch and fledge to a timetable that’s a few weeks ahead of other birds.
It’s nature’s way that birds of prey get this headstart in life and be fending for themselves at a time when there are so many other vulnerable birds around.
Hawks – and eagles – recently spotted house building on and around the lake include Whistling Kites, Brown Falcons, Wedge-tail and White Breasted Sea Eagles. At least four pairs of Peregrine Falcons nest on the bluffs of the Castletower Range overlooking the lake. Adult birds can be observed on early morning and late evening hunting patrols, especially near Dingo Island.
Speaking of which, there are a number of animals occasionally observed around the lake fringes that have coats with a distinctive orange tint. Dingoes do good work in predating on pigs and out on the flatlands when coming across feral cats that haven’t a convenient tree. It’s unfortunate that so much inter-breeding occurs with wild dogs – animals under a death sentence from the grazing community.
Subsiding water levels out in the channel country are seeing the return of the water birds. Building pelican and cormorant numbers on the lake are the most obvious. They are being joined by Eurasian Coots, Great Crested Grebes and White-Eyed Ducks, all of which gather in huge flocks. Also known as the Hardhead, the white eye is the fastest flying duck. Plumed Whistling Ducks – which happen to be the slowest – are also prevalent lake residents.
Park guests are treated to day-long bird fests. Numbers are gathering now that Kylie has set up a feeding platform. These include Lorikeets, Miners, sundry Honeyeaters, the resident Kookaburra clan, Butcherbirds, Spurwing Plovers that think they’re chooks, a hoppy leg magpie and her mate that’ve been here as long as I can remember, and a crow quartette.
It came as a revelation to learn that crows pair for life. Female birds are claimed very early in life. The big mobs of crows that are part of the Australian bush are all males. All on the lookout for a mate.
Sound familiar?
Till next time, have a happy time out there in the natural world
Rod Harrison
Specials
Nomad Specials.
From 6th February 2012 to 29th March 2012 - and again from 17th April 2012 to 22nd November 2012 -
10% Discount applies to pensioners and seniors card holders.
Events
The No Blokes Barra Bash
In February – March this woman only fishing competition is hosted annually at Lake Awoonga Caravan Park. This is the girls chance to get in there and have some fun while the men take care of the kids. Its not all fun and games, there is a serious side to this competition, the girls are catching barra over a metre long. That’ll give any bloke a run for their money!
Keep checking our website for this year’s dates. Be sure to book accommodation at Lake Awoonga Caravan Park well in advance, don’t miss out as the park fills up for the competition.
CANCELLED FOR 2012 due to organiser’s impending birth of a child.
Boynne-Tannum Hook-up
People come in numbers on the June long weekend for this popular fishing competition. Local businesses support it through sponsorships, there are also many prizes and give-aways, everyone gets involved.
Birdwatching Reports
The Gladstone Area Water Board have been doing great work in the area with a re-vegetation project aiming at removing pest weed species and planting species native to the region. This initiative encourages a healthy ecosystem in the lake for generations to come, supporting local wildlife, and ensuring eco tourism income for local business and community. Because of the work being done here, no dogs or cats are allowed.
Below you will see monthly reports on the birdlife at the lake.
The National Park
Mt Castle Tower National Park is the national park that surrounds the lake. The park contains rare and threatened species of both flora and fauna. If you are planning on camping and walking this park, prepare well, there are no facilities and you must be self sufficient. Its recommended for experienced walkers as there are no walking tracks, though there are some beautiful views from the top of Mount Castle Tower and Mount Stanley to reward those who do make the trip.
To read more about this park, visit Castle Tower National Park.
About The Lake
30 mins from Gladstone, 8 minutes off the highway, Lake Awoonga is looked after by Gladstone Area Water Board. The lake is a working dam supplying water to the whole region. It has generally been 45 – 55% full all year round. Surrounded by National Park, it covers a vast area and generally holds over 300,000 mega litres of water but can hold over 700,000 megalitres. If full, it would cover over 6 thousand hectares of surface area.
Boating
There are a few boat charters close by Lake Awoonga Caravan Park, there is also a boat launch. The only no wash zone is right by the dam wall. Getting on the water is one of the best ways to explore the area. Motor over to the national park and access places off limits by car and foot.
Sailing, canoeing, and water skiing are all available to do on the lake.
Bushwalking
A great way to enjoy all of these amazing creatures is to go bushwalking. The lake’s edge has many landscaped tracks for walkers to explore, you need not cover the same ground twice. There are over 300 species of plant life to spot, some of which are vulnerable and protected which the water board tend to.
To find out more about bushwalking in the national park read on below.
Wildlife
The National Park is just as rich in wildlife as it is in its birdlife. With plenty of protective shelter, abundant fresh food and water, many insects, animals, reptiles and amphibians are supported and flourish. Animals like platypus, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, possums, the endangered bandicoot, quoll, echidna, gliders, bats, green tree frogs, and so many more are at home in the region. There are also many types of butterflies in the area. The diversity and uniqueness of this place is not to be missed, spare a day or two from fishing to explore.
Birdwatching
Unique and protected, Lake Awoonga Caravan Park is flanked by national park. The National Park is home to many varieties of birds, over 200 species live here, some of them vulnerable species. Don’t be surprised if you see eagles, hawks, waterfowl, finches, classic Australian kookaburras, galahs, and emus, honey eaters, quails, owls, even brolgas. This is a place any birdwatcher will remember as special.
Online Booking Form
Contact Us
Links
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/castle-tower/index.html
www.fishawoonga.com.au
http://www.gladstoneregion.info/pages/boyne-tannum-benaraby
http://www.gawb.qld.gov.au
http://www.familyparks.com.au
http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/
http://www.caravanparkbrokersqld.com.au/
Map of Lake Awoonga and Region
About Lake Awoonga Caravan Park
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Family Cabins
There is a wide variety of accommodation to choose from here at the park, we have something to offer all budgets and preferences.
Welcome to Lake Awoonga
Fishing
One of the most popular things to do on the lake is fishing. Being part of the popular Bass to Barra Trail, the Gladstone Area Water Board make sure the lake is stocked with barramundi, bream, perch, mangrove jack, mullet, garfish, cod and red claw crayfish. The barramundi often grow to be over 1 meter long. 20kg are often caught and there has been the occasional 40kg catch reported. There is no off-season for Barramundi here.
Resident fishing legend Rod Harrison is available to take park visitors out on the lake to the secret local spots and show you the tricks to catching that big barra you’ll go home and tell your friends about, with photos to prove it. Book a session with ‘Harro’ at the caravan park reception. No permit is required for fishing at Lake Awoonga.
To read Harro’s monthly fishing reports click here.
Getting There
Here is how you get to Lake Awoonga.
1. Map of Lake Awoonga & Region - only 8 minutes off the highway.
2. Driving Instructions
From Gladstone, head south along Gladstone Benaraby Road. Cross over the Bruce Highway and drive on south on Awoonga Dam Road. Keep driving south until the end of the road, follow the signs to the park.
All roads are sealed.
Gallery
Harro’s Awoonga Reports
Map
Friends
Contact Us
- Phone: 1234 1234
- Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- Mail: 123 Some Streen, Lake Awoonga
Rates
Prices based on 2 adults per night- Family Cabin: $130
- Cluden Cabin: $120
- Castle Tower & Riverstone Cabins: $110
- Standard Ensuite Cabins: $110
- Standard Non Ensuite Cabins: $85
- Bunkhouse: $90
- Canvas Cabins: $50
- Extra Adult: $15
- Extra Child: $6
- Powered Sites (Peak): $30
- Powered Sites (Off Peak): $27
- Unpowered Sites (Peak): $24
- Unpowered Sites (Off Peak): $22
- Extra Adult: $10
- Extra Child: $5
Peak Periods - XMAS 24th November 2011 to 6th February 2012
XMAS 23rd November 2012 to 11th February 2013
Peak Periods - Easter 30th March 2012 to 16th April 2012
Easter 22nd March 2013 to 8th April 2013
Rates subject to change without notice
Cancellation policies apply
Features
Lake Awoonga Caravan Park is the closest accommodation to the Lake. The park offers comfortable and clean accommodation to suit all needs at reasonable rates. There is a variety of fully self-contained options including a Family Cabin, Cabins, a Bunkhouse, a Canvas Cabin and Permanent Tents. Powered and Unpowered Sites offer shade and grass. Drive-thru options are available.
List includes:
- The closest accommodation to the lake
- No highway noise
- Air-conditioned cabins & bunkhouse
- Family Parks of Australia member
- Bait & tackle shop
- Clean amenities
- Kiosk near-by
- Close to playground
- Close to boat ramp & hire
- Close to Castle Tower National Park
- Waters edge fishing
- Jet & water skiing
- Close to walking trails
- AUSTAR in all cabins
- No pets
Welcome to Lake Awoonga
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