Lake Lenthall ( Lenthalls Dam ) - Howard / Maryborough.
Qld
Built
in 1984, Lenthalls Dam was named after the pioneering family
in the district, the waters created by the dam are called
Lake Lenthall.
The lake has a relatively small surface area of 400ha, an
average depth of 3.9 meters and holds some 28 000 ML of
water at full supply level.
It's main purpose is for town water supply for Hervey Bay
City Council.
Lake Lenthall is situated approximately half way between
Maryborough and Torbanlea along the Bruce highway. A further
7 km off the highway along a gravel road will find you at
the lake.
Fishing
Lake Lenthall is officially stocked with Bass,
Barramundi,
Yellowbelly
& Silver
Perch but there has also been reports of Saratoga
being caught here as well.
There are also Eels, Tandans
and the introduced Spangled
Perch present.
Bass
have been the main species caught here however Barramundi
are showing up more often and will no doubt give this location
national publicity in coming years.
The increase in the popularity of this Lake Lenthall is
partly due to the success of the barramundi stocking program
here. It is the most southerly waters where the public can
catch a barra (outside of fish farms).
Lenthalls
is a pretty lake, being surrounded by tee tree scrub and
often fringed by water lillies and weed beds.
It is a fantastic edge fishery and surface fishery however
the restrictive access hours limit the surface fishing options
noticably. Shallow diving lures cast towards the edged are
a great way to catch both bass and barramundi. Flyfishing
can also a be rewarding at Lenthalls. Standard barra &
bass flies cast over, in & around water lillies and
weed beds can see explosive strikes.
A
stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) is required to fish at
Lake Lenthall, these are available locally at the road house
a few km North of the turnoff on the Bruce Highway or Purchase
Stocked Impoundment Permit on-line - QDPI&F
Boating
There is a concrete boat launching area just past the Lenthalls
Dam Recreation Area next to the dam wall.
Recent advances in outboard engine technology have resulted
in a significant reduction in engine emissions from newer
clean engines. For example a 60hp 4-stroke or Direct Injection
2-Stroke engine emits less than 50% of the emissions as
a 6hp carburetted 2-Stroke engine. These advances have warranted
a review of the boating restrictions.
From
1 December 2007 boating restrictions at Lake Lenthall will
allow:
*
Speed Limit 6 knots - no wash and no skiing
* 4-Stroke and Direct Injection 2-Stroke engines up to 60hp.
This equates to all 2 & 3 Star OEDA (Outboard Engine
Distributors Association) rated engines.
* 1 to 6hp traditional 2-Strokes (0 and 1 star OEDA rated)
permitted until January 2010.
Non-compliant
engines (eg: 2 stroke carburettor and fuel injected outboards)
are prohibited from using the lake. Additional restriction
may be imposed on those engines that are clearly polluting
the water (eg Smokey engines).
For
more information contact Wide Bay Water Corporation on 1300
808 888
Camping
No camping is allowed at the lake but camping sites are
available 10 km away at Wongi State Forrest Park. Telephone
(07) 4123 5424.
Camping may be permitted once the facilities are up to the
task of catering for higher numbers.
Access
Access to Lake Lenthall is from 6am - 4pm daily. Gates are
locked outside of these hours. Ranger on site daily.
