Welcome to spring – big news this fishing season, Lake Jindabyne’s water level is extremely high already, and there is still more snow to melt. Recently, the rain and snow melt has put water in the lake and a great thing for anglers is that with water up into last year’s grass, the trout are in close. Anglers are having the time of their lives.

Anglers coming down for the Snowy Mountains Trout Festival, to fish at Lake Jindabyne this year, will be happy to know there are no planned environmental releases into the lower Snowy River during the latter half of October. In the past, it hasn’t helped the fishing. The Snowy River environmental water release for 5 October will be the only planned big release until December. If you want to know more, check out the Snowy Hydro website.

There is no doubt, shore based baitfishing has been the best it’s ever been in recent months. Cool water and plenty of cover have the trout cruising the shallows all day long, and even on the stillest and sunniest days, anglers are catching wonderful trout with a sprinkling of good size Atlantic salmon as well.

With the high water level, good spots are wide and varied. Structure or rocky points are better places for bottom fishing, while the float anglers can suspend bait over the weedy and grassy areas. Hold on when you get a strike, as there’s a lot of trout being lost to snags.

Areas for float fishing are Wollondibby Inlet, Hatchery Bay, Taylors Bay and the Haven. The lake flyfishing has been great. Trout can be seen fossicking around the grass in the water, and are now more responsive to flies cast delicately in front of them. You can grab a polaroid of these fish in the shallows.

Stay high on the bank and try to spot the trout first. After watching their movement for a while, you will get an idea of what ‘beat’ the fish are doing and the best position to cast a fly. While some anglers prefer larger flies like Woolley Buggers and the like, I like smaller nymph patterns, and maybe a Jindy Bugger or a Tom Jones. When the trout are on the bite, it doesn’t matter all that much. A hungry trout won’t be selective, this time of the season.

Choose bays like Creel Bay, Hayshed Bay and Wollondibby Inlet, to name a few. Lure spinning is working well at the moment, but stay aware of snags, with all the long weeds and grass in the water. Remember, trout are often seen cruising close around the edges in amongst these snaggy spots, so shallow lures or floating minnows that dive a metre deep when retrieved are better choices.

It’s worthwhile spinning close around rocky outcrops. In deeper water, try Tasmanian Devils in number 48 Brown Bomber, and Willy’s Special number 111 is a spring-summertime special.

Boat trollers will find the trout close to the banks while the water is still rising. Keep in close to edges. Those with an electric motor to troll may have advantage, as stealth is a major key to success. Use minnow lures with a good action and troll at low speeds below 3kph. Soft plastics, even the Gulp 1” Crickets, trolled behind attractors like Ford Fenders or Cowbells are well worth a try.

I prefer to fish the township end of the lake in September, as water coming out of the rivers is very cold and the fish can be less active. Other areas that have been fishing well are Sids Bay and Rainbow Beach. The sheltered bays are holding sweet brown trout amongst the weed. Hatchery Bay and Hayshed bay have a lot of rainbows in the shallows, early and late in the day especially. Use darker coloured lures as the sun rises, then yellow wing Tasmanian Devil lures have been better. Again, 48 Brown Bomber and Willy’s Special number 111 are great.

Best areas for bait fishing at the moment are the boat ramp, Wollondibby Inlet in deeper water, Curiosity Rocks Bay, the Haven and Rushes Bay over at East Jindabyne.

Best Methods for September

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Lake Jindabyne is a sight to see in the early spring mornings.

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Trout are out and about, this season!