Lake Lenthall ( Lenthalls Dam ) - Torbanlea / 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.
