WITH a good inflow of water into Lake Samsonvale following recent rains, the fishing has been steadily improving, creating promise of another good winter season.

In the past few years the bass haven’t fired up until the water temperature has dropped substantially, usually around May. The abnormal weather this year, with the prolonged drought broken by late summer rains, has changed this pattern. Bass are showing up at many spots around the lake, as they follow the fresh upstream. Other species, such as silver perch, are also on the move and being caught in numbers.

Lake Samsonvale has a number of ‘sure-fire’ hot spots, including ‘The Wall’ and ‘The Structure’, but fish are being caught at many locations as they move around to feed. The deep holes just as you leave the launch area and enter the main body of water have produced good fish, as have a number of upstream locations.

While we might have bemoaned the drought and the impact on the fishing, the low water levels at least provided an opportunity to survey areas of the lake usually submerged, and hence identify structures likely to hold fish when water levels rise. Armed with a GPS and camera, some anglers have added a few ‘secret spots’ to their library, and are looking forward to trying these over coming months.

Redclaw crayfishermen are also rubbing their hands in anticipation of a bumper season, as rising waters cover the vegetation which has grown down to the low water line. As this vegetation rots, the conditions are prime for an outbreak of these crustaceans, adding to the attraction of the fishery.

May heralds the opening of the 2003-04 season for the Boating Access Scheme, operated by the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA). Boating access is by permit only, and provides an opportunity to get out with your mates or family to target the big fish. In the accompanying photograph, Kane Riley of Taigum shows how it’s done with a big 56cm bass, making dad Glenn of Northside Marine a proud father indeed! The lake is a great spot to teach the kids to fish in relative safety, and is becoming increasingly attractive to family angling groups.

As the allowable allocation of 300 boating access permits has not been filled for the 2003-04 season, applications can still be submitted. You can pick up application forms from leading boat and tackle stores, or by ringing the PRFMA on 0417 742 023. You can disregard any reference to the original closing date of March 28, as it has now been extended.

1) Finding those interesting structures at low water.

2) Kane Riley shows how it's done with this nice 56cm bass.