Pet owners take note - dogs aren't allowed at Lake Wivenhoe or Somerset or their surrounds. However Queensland boasts plenty of other dog-friendly campsites to enjoy.
Water levels are subject to change and there may be submerged hazards. The laws on all inland waterways are the same and are set by Maritime Safety Queensland. Boating permits are no longer required at Wivenhoe Dam and Somerset Dam.
Fish species found in the dam include Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, bony bream, eel-tailed catfish, spangled perch, Mary River cod, snub nosed gar, Queensland lungfish and saratoga. A stocked impoundment permit is required to fish in the dam.
To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful dam, a day access area to Lake Somerset dam is available on the northern site of the park where the public can visit free of charge for the day and utilise the great lake.
Dogs are not permitted in the water at any of our sites. To protect our drinking water, please do not allow your dog to enter the lake, foreshore area or boat ramp. Bring the necessary equipment with you to pick up and dispose of your dog's waste in the bins provided.
Training my English Springer spaniel puppy Billy's Vlog Ep-6
Is it safe to swim in Somerset dam?
For your safety, please swim only in the designated area and remember there are no lifeguards on duty. Boating is a very popular activity at Lake Somerset. Motorised and non- motorised watercraft are both allowed on the lake. Water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tubing are all permitted on Lake Somerset.
There are strong currents in the water and there are often hidden objects under the surface. Reservoirs are also usually very deep so the water is really cold, even on a hot day. It can send your dogs's body into shock, causing them to gasp and swallow water if they dive straight in.
It's a big beautiful dam with a swimming and water sports area called The Spit where families can picnic/BBQ and do water activities. I stopped off at The Spit and had a nice swim and enjoyed a walk around the day use area.
Set on 45 hectares on the northern shores of Somerset Dam, the park features three bedroom cabins, lakeview villas, safari tents and a log cabin for groups, as well as powered and unpowered sites for caravan and camping.
The popular Halco Twisty creates an enticing action like no other metal lure. The twisty curvature profile on the lure bends to an S Shape that increases the action on retrieving, so you can have the best chance to catch the incredible freshwater Australian Bass while out on the water.
The average family fisho can go to Somerset Dam for the first time and be a good chance of catching fish. Trolling deep diving lures around the edges of the submerged Stanley River will produce Golden Perch and Bass most days, some exceptional fish are produced in this way.
If you visit Somerset Dam in the warmer months, it's the ideal spot to test your skills at pot fishing for redclaw as the dam is crawling with them. They're not only fun to catch, but they're incredibly easy to cook up and amazingly delicious to eat.
Somerset Park - coin operated hot showers! Popular with water skiers and fishermen, this is a beautiful campground on the banks of Stanley River just below the Somerset Dam. There is a kiosk on site for supplying the basics. Showers are free (5 minute timed).
The facilities at the dam include barbeques, picnic tables, toilets and a playground. The dam is well known for the large Australian bass that inhabit the lake.
Do I need a fishing permit to fish at Somerset Dam?
A fishing permit is required at Lake Somerset. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries controls the fishing rules and regulations in Queensland and administers the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS).
See Common Water Birds, Whistling Kite, Wonga Pigeon, Nankeen Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Scarlet Myzomela, White-throated Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Fairy Martin. Esk-Kilcoy Rd, Lake Somerset. GPS -27.103, 152.561 On Somerset Dam, 1km from the dam wall.
The dam has a catchment area of 1340km2 and can hold up to 379,849 million litres of water at full supply level. Somerset Dam can store an additional 524,000 million litres of water during flood events.
“After swimming—whether in a pool, river, lake, or ocean—rinse off your dog with clean water to remove chlorine, other chemicals, and any debris,” Teller said. “Dry your dog well, especially any skin folds and the ears, to avoid inflammation or infection.
How often should my dog swim? This depends on your dog's level of fitness and condition. In the early stages of treatment we recommend twice a week. This may reduce to once a week or less as the response to hydrotherapy improves.
Experts say the best way to protect dogs is to keep them away from outdoor bodies of water (ponds, lakes, sluggish rivers, even bird baths) especially in the summer.
