Bonnie Doon & Delatite

The surrounding landscape of the lake at its northern end is dominated by grassy hills and mostly cleared farmland. The water is often more discoloured here than elsewhere in the lake, possibly because of the clay banks. This difference extends below the surface as the exposed banks, shallow bays and distance from the snow fed rivers, see this part of Lake Eildon the first to warm in spring. Depending on the lake level, significant areas can be dry in drought conditions, especially up to Bonnie Doon. Some years, boat ramps at Bonnie Doon and Peppin Point are fine. Other years they are out of the water, forcing fishers to use Frasers or the Alliance ramps.

Around this north end of the lake, standout fishing can be had for golden perch and redfin, especially in spring. The area is also less timbered than the rest of the lake, so trolling small deep diving lures can be a very good option to locate schools. The same tactics of tying up to trees and fishing baits of small yabbies and scrub worms, small vibe lures and soft plastics, also account for many fish. Trout are caught by trolling however the area is a less productive than the southern parts of the lake. The junction of the Brankeet and Delatite arms are the best spots.

Murray cod thrive around Bonnie Doon and the Delatite Arm and aren’t fished for as much as in other parts of the lake. As there are fewer trees and snags, fishers do better by trolling to cover lots of water, but all methods work. If there is enough water, shore-based fishing around the Bonnie Doon Bridge is popular for golden perch.

Click here for information on Maintongoon Road boat ramp and Hutchinson Road ramp.