Cooma Fishing Guides
Cooma fishing charters and guides focus on the Snowy Mountains lakes and rivers, where trout and native cod dominate a freshwater fishery built on cold streams, alpine impoundments, and seasonal flows.
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Cooma, NSW Fishing Guide
Cooma is the southern gateway to the Snowy Mountains, and from town you’ve got quick access to some of Australia’s best freshwater fishing. Within an hour you can be on Lake Eucumbene, Lake Jindabyne, or Lake Tantangara—three of the country’s premier trout fisheries. The streams and rivers that feed these lakes, including the Murrumbidgee and smaller alpine creeks, also produce rainbow and brown trout in season, with Murray cod and golden perch featuring lower down the system.
Trips here are usually day-long guided sessions, either boat-based on the lakes or walk-and-wade fly fishing along streams. Lakes fish differently depending on time of year: trolling lures and lead lines through deeper water in summer, while winter and spring bring trout into the shallows and river mouths where they’re targeted on fly and spinning gear. River fishing is seasonal, with trout streams opening in October and closing in June. Cooma acts as a central base—guides will tailor trips to whichever lake or river is fishing best at the time.
Seasonality is everything. In spring, snowmelt and rising rivers spark insect hatches and feeding trout, with browns running into streams to spawn. Summer pushes fish deeper in the lakes, so trolling with lead-core lines, downriggers, and deep divers is the go-to. Autumn sees big browns staging at river mouths ahead of the spawn, creating prime conditions for fly and lure anglers. Winter closes many rivers but the lakes remain open, producing some of the biggest trout of the year.
Techniques vary widely. On the lakes, trolling Tassie Devils, winged lures, and minnows is a mainstay. Shore-based anglers fish mudeyes, worms, and PowerBait for steady results. Fly fishing dominates the rivers, with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers depending on hatch conditions. Cod and goldens in the lower Murrumbidgee are taken on spinnerbaits, surface lures, and large hardbodies. Cooma’s strength is variety—whether you want to drift flies on alpine creeks, troll deepwater trout, or cast spinnerbaits for cod, you can do it all within striking distance of town.
Fishing Seasons in Cooma
Spring (March–May)
Spring is prime trout season in the Snowies. Rivers reopen in October, with browns and rainbows feeding aggressively after spawning. Dry-fly fishing is excellent during hatches, while nymphs and small hardbodies produce in faster water. Lakes fish well too, as rising water levels flood the margins and trout cruise the shallows feeding on worms and insects. Trolling shallow divers and winged lures near the surface is effective. Charters in spring often target a mix of rivers and lakes, taking advantage of active fish in multiple systems.
Summer (June–August)
Summer brings warmer conditions, pushing trout into deeper water during the day. Trolling with lead-core lines, downriggers, or weighted flies is the key tactic on lakes like Eucumbene and Jindabyne. Mudeye hatches at night draw big trout into the shallows, and fishing live mudeyes under floats is a proven method. Fly anglers switch to evening dry-fly sessions, with caddis and mayfly hatches producing strong rises. In the lower rivers, Murray cod season opens, with spinnerbaits, surface lures, and swimbaits drawing strikes in warmer flows.
Fall (September–November)
Autumn is trophy time for brown trout. Big fish stage at river mouths ahead of their spawn, making them prime targets on fly and lure. Jindabyne and Eucumbene both fish exceptionally well this time of year, with trolling large minnows or casting soft plastics near inflows producing thumping fish. Fly anglers do well on streamers and nymphs in the rivers. Weather is stable, making autumn one of the most reliable seasons for both lakes and streams. Cod and goldens remain active in the lower reaches, rounding out the options.
Winter (December–February)
Winter closes most trout streams, but the lakes stay open and fish very well. Browns and rainbows school up, with trolling deep divers, jigging plastics, and shore-based bait fishing all effective. The cold water means fish feed hard through the middle of the day, a bonus for anglers not keen on pre-dawn starts. Lake Jindabyne is known for producing some of its biggest trout in winter. Down in the Murrumbidgee, cod fishing continues, with surface lures working in low light. Rugging up is essential, but winter offers some of the best quality trout fishing of the year around Cooma.
Gamefish in Cooma
- Brown Trout – 2–10 lb. Peak in autumn staging at river mouths, taken on flies, lures, and trolled minnows.
- Rainbow Trout – 1–6 lb. Year-round in lakes, best spring and summer on flies, Tassie Devils, and bait.
- Murray Cod – 10–60 lb. Lower Murrumbidgee, best summer on spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and surface lures.
- Golden Perch – 2–10 lb. Found in lower rivers and impoundments, strongest in summer on lures and bait.
- Brook Trout – 1–3 lb. Stocked in alpine lakes, occasional catches on flies and spinners
- Atlantic Salmon – 2–8 lb. Stocked in Jindabyne, best in cool months trolling lures or fly fishing.
- Redfin Perch – 1–3 lb. In dams and lakes, active year-round on small lures and bait.
Cooma Fishing FAQs
Where do most Cooma fishing trips start from?
Guides usually pick up in town and head to whichever lake or river is fishing best, with Lake Eucumbene, Jindabyne, and Tantangara the main choices.
How long are typical trips?
Most are full-day sessions, though half-day evening fly trips and night lake sessions are also common in summer.
Do guides provide tackle?
Yes, all rods, reels, flies, lures, and bait are supplied. Fly guides often encourage anglers to bring their own gear if they want to learn on their setups.
Is a license required in Cooma?
Yes, NSW requires a recreational fishing license for freshwater fishing, and guides will help arrange short-term permits if needed.
When is the best time to fish Cooma?
Autumn is best for trophy brown trout. Spring is excellent for river fishing. Summer offers both trout and cod, while winter produces quality fish in the lakes.
What species are suited for beginners?
Half-day trips start around $200–$250 per person. Full-day halibut or combo charters typically range from $300–$500+.
How many anglers can go on a trip?
Rainbow trout on lakes are a reliable starter fish. Bait fishing for trout or redfin is simple and effective for kids and new anglers.
Are night trips available?
Yes, especially in summer for mudeye-feeding trout on the lakes, and in autumn for brown trout staging at river mouths.