Dams near Crows Nest Caravan Park

The Dams

Overlooking Cressbrook Dam

Dams Stocked for Fishing

There are two dams in the Crows Nest Shire that are open for fishing. These are Cooby Dam and Cressbrook Dam - both have been stocked with native fish. The local fishing stocking association (Toowoomba and District Fishstock Association) started in 1987 and has released over a million fingerlings at a cost of over $200,000 with both dams now well established fisheries.

Permits - A permit is required to fish the dams with the one permit covering both dams and a permit covers a family, i.e. husband, wife and children under 18 years of age. This permit covers both with all proceeds going back into fishing stock and facilities. There is a 20% discount for pensioners.

Permits are required for water based activities but are NOT required while using BBQ, picnic and play ground facilities.

Dam fishing licences area available from rangers on site and from

	Crows Nest Shire Council, Emu Creek Road, Crows Nest
	Crows Nest Seafood and Tackle, New England Highway, Crows Nest
	Hampton Store, Cnr New England Highway and Hampton Road, Hampton
	Shell Service Station, New England Highway, Highfields
	Meringandan Store, Main Street, Meringandan
	Cabarlah Store, New England Highway, Cabarlah

Opening Times - Both Dams - Summer 7 am to 8 pm - Winter 7 am to 6 pm
PETS - No domestic animals are allowed as these dams are flora and fauna reserves

Cooby Dam

Facilities - Cooby has some nice walking tracks, BBQ and picnic areas for a great day out and also boasts a range of ducks and swans.

Fish Stocked

	Golden Perch (Yellow Belly)
	Silver Perch
	Murray Cod
	Non stocked species - Eel tailed catfish

The fishing at Cooby Dam is both off the banks and out of boats but electric motors only (no petrol) are permitted on Cooby Dam. Anglers can use both bait and lures with live worms and shrimp, the best of the baits with smaller lures diving up to 15 feet producing good results.

Fishing Rules - The standard DPI fishing rules and regulations apply to Cooby Dam.

	Golden Perch (Yellow Belly) bag limit 10 - minimum size 30 cm
	Silver Perch - bag limit 10 - minimum size 30 cm
	Eel tailed catfish - bag limit 5 - minimum size 35 cm
	Murray Cod - bag limit 2 - minimum size 60 cm

ressbrook Dam

Fish stocked

	Golden Perch (Yellow Belly)
	Silver Perch
	Australian Bass
	Mary River Cod
	Saratoga
	Non stocked species - Eel tailed catfish

Cressbrook dam can be fished both off the bank and out of boats. Petrol motors are allowed but speed limits do apply and water skiing is not permitted.

Bait and tackle - during the summer months, lures and live baits are very popular with Australian Bass one of the most popular live baits. The bass are a very good fighting fish and excellent eating, as too are the Yellow Belly. Cressbrook has very nice surroundings and even have wild deer roaming the hills.

Fishing Rules - the standard DPI Fisheries rules apply to Cressbrook Dam

	Australian Bass - bag limit 2 - minimum size 30 cm
	Silver Perch - bag limit 10 - minimum size 30 cm
	Golden Perch (Yellow Belly) - bag limit 10 - minimum size 30 cm
	Mary River Cod - bag limit 1 - minimum size 50 cm
	Saratoga - bag limit 1 - minimum size

Camping - There is a very nice but basic camping area with no powered sites.

This is an excellent gas BBQ area with lighting, hot and cold showers with well kept lawns and wood provided fireplaces.

Picnic areas - there are plenty of picnic and playground areas for the day trippers and even gas BBQ's at no charge.

	Layout map of the Park can be accessed here

	Crows Nest Caravan Park - New England Highway, Crows Nest Q 4355 Phone 07 4698 1269 - Fax 07 4698 1900 Email René and Brenda