Lake
Wivenhoe ( Wivenhoe Dam ) - Fernvale / Esk. Qld
Lake
Wivenhoe takes its name from one of the early farms in the
district. The property was named after a maritime town in
Essex, England, on the River Colne, near Colchester. It had
been taken up by the Uhr brothers, one of whom was killed
by the Aboriginals while working sheep in a yard near the
present Lake Manchester. The surviving brother, together with
a retired naval man, J.S.Ferriter, held the property for some
time. It was bought by the North family in 1849, with some
decendants still hold land around Wivenhoe today. Wivenhoe
Inn nearby became a popular stopping place.
Access
Wivenhoe Dam is open during daylight hours only. The gates
at Hamon Cove, Logans Inlet, Cormorant Bay & the Spillway
Common are locked after hours.
Additional bank access is permitted at Cormorant Bay, Branch
Creek, Somerset Park (on Stanley River arm below Somerset
Dam wall), the information centre (next to dam wall) &
O'Sheas Crossing (Brisbane River). Swings, toilets, drinking
water, Bar B Qs, & picnic tables are provided at most
locations. Due to budget cutbacks, the access points at Billies
Bay, Hays Landing, Sheepstation Inlet, Maclean Point &
Figtree lookout are now closed to the general public, however
it is hoped that Billies Bay boat ramp may be re-opened in
the future when the Dundas Bridges are repaired / upgraded
to handle the expected traffic.
Fishing
Fish Stocked are Australian Bass, Yellowbelly, Silver Perch,
Saratoga & Mary River Cod.
Other fish present are Fork Tailed Catfish (Silver Cobbler)
Spangled Perch, Tilapia, Banded Grunter, Snub Nosed Gar, Eels,
Qld Lungfish and Redclaw crayfish.
Lake Wivenhoe is undoubtedly the home of Big Bass in Queensland,
possibly Australia being rivaled possibly only by Lake Genbawn
in NSW or Wivenhoe's sister, Lake Somerset immediately upstream.
However the restricted access and limited boating use mean
that many of Lake Wivenhoe's big bass are left unmolested
most of the time.
For those that put in the effort to become intimate with this
huge lake, the rewards are certainly there for the taking.
** A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish at
Lake Wivenhoe.
Lake
Wivenhoe is stocked with native fish by the Somerset &
Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Assn
Boating
Boating is allowed but with 4 stroke or direct duel injected
or electric motors. 2 stroke motors are not permitted to be
used but can still be left on boats.
No house boats, hover craft or skiing, tubing or personal
water craft (jetski style craft) are allowed.
Camping
Camping is permitted at Captain Logans Camp, at the adjacent
Lumley Hill or at Camp Somerset below the Somerset Dam wall.
Boat launching ramps are available at Logans Inlet & Hamon
Cove.
Events
The Wivenhoe Kayak & Canoe Fishing Convention / Brisbane
River Bass Opening Classic is held at Lake Wivenhoe each September.
This is the first dedicated kayak fishing event in Australia
with great prizes being given away each year. For more details
go to www.bigfishkayak.com.au
* No public access is allowed to the Splityard Creek Dam which
is used for stored water to run the hydro-electric station.
Fish Management Group: Somerset
& Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Assn Inc.
Po Box 541 Ipswich. 4305