Big Brook Dam (Pemberton)

Big Brook Dam sits about four kilometres north of Pemberton in the karri forest, built in 1986 to top up the town and trout hatchery water supply and now one of WA's premier freshwater fisheries. The headline targets are DPIRD-stocked rainbow and brown trout — the dam gets an annual release that runs from fry and yearlings through to trophy broodstock fish well over 50cm — backed by naturalised redfin perch and marron in the short summer season. Unlike most of the south-west's locked-up drinking-water catchments, this one is built for recreation: swimming, canoeing and kayaking are all allowed, so you can fish a point at first light and let the family swim off the sandy beach by lunch.

Trout are the reason you drive down, and they fish best at first and last light on small Celta-style spinners, 40–50mm minnows or PowerBait off a light running sinker — work the dam edges, the points and the water off the bridge. After a winter stocking the fish hold close to the bank and a slow-rolled spinner does most of the damage. Redfin are the bread-and-butter session fish and respond to small soft plastics, bladed jigs and worm baits worked around any submerged timber. A canoe or kayak opens up the far bank and the quieter arms the shore crowd can't reach, and the sealed 4km dam-loop track lets you walk to fresh water rather than flogging the carpark corner. Marron are a drop-net, scoop or snare proposition in the short summer open season — early January into early February — and never on rod and line; verify DPIRD's dates each year.

Stocked rainbow and brown trout — the mainstay, topped up annually by DPIRD with everything from fry to broodstock over 50cm. Redfin perch year-round (a declared pest that must not be returned alive to the water). Marron during the short summer open season — early January into early February — in drop nets, scoops or snares only, with exact dates set by DPIRD each year.

Buy your South-West Freshwater Angling Licence before you arrive — DPIRD enforces it and it is a separate licence from the marine recreational one. Marron need their own additional Recreational Marron Licence on top of that, and the season is a tight summer window — early January into early February — so confirm the year's dates before you commit the drive. Trout sessions live and die on light, so be on the water before sunrise rather than rolling down for a midday cast — you will be sharing the place with swimmers and paddlers by then anyway. Time a trip for the months just after the winter stocking release for the best shot at the bigger fish. Redfin are a declared pest: dispatch them on the bank, don't return them live.

Drive from Perth is roughly 3.5 hours via the South Western Hwy through Bunbury, Manjimup and into Pemberton, then about four kilometres north on Big Brook Road and Rainbow Trail. The site is day-use with a sealed car park, picnic tables, shelters, BBQs, toilets and a sandy swimming beach; a sealed 4km walk-and-cycle loop track follows the shore with stroller and wheelchair access. There is no boat ramp for trailer craft — it is a cartop kayak, canoe and bank fishery. Camping is not at the dam itself; Big Brook Arboretum and the Pemberton caravan parks are the nearby bases. Mobile reception is patchy in the karri — download offline maps before leaving town.

The dam fishes best in the cooler months — autumn through spring — when water temperatures suit the trout and the fish sit tight to the edges. Mid-summer water warms and the trout drop deeper while the redfin spread across the basin; summer is also when the swimming and paddling traffic is heaviest, so the early-morning window matters most then. The water holds clear in the karri shade outside winter run-off events. Wind is the practical limiter for kayak anglers — the open basin can chop up through the afternoon.

Forest fire restrictions apply through summer and can close park access at short notice — check DBCA alerts before driving down. Snakes are active around the bank edges through the warmer months. The dam is deep and cold away from the swimming beach; kayak and canoe anglers should wear a PFD and watch for afternoon wind build-ups. Submerged timber chews lures and can hole a hull, so read the water before paddling across an unfamiliar bay. The swimming beach is unpatrolled — supervise children near the water.

Big Brook Dam holds DPIRD-stocked rainbow and brown trout, naturalised redfin perch, and marron in the short summer open season. The trout are the headline draw — the dam receives one of WA's larger annual trout releases, ranging from fry and yearlings up to trophy broodstock fish over 50cm. Redfin are a declared pest and must not be returned alive to the water.

Yes — a South-West Freshwater Angling Licence from DPIRD is required to fish for trout or redfin perch in WA's inland south-west waters, and it is separate from the marine recreational fishing licence. Chasing marron in the short summer open season — early January into early February — needs an additional, separate Recreational Marron Licence on top of that. Read the current DPIRD freshwater guide for season dates, bag and size limits before you fish.

Yes — Big Brook Dam is one of WA's premier trout fisheries and is stocked annually by DPIRD with both rainbow and brown trout, including trophy-sized broodstock fish. Trout fish best at first and last light through the cooler months, and the months just after the winter stocking release are the prime window. Stocking quantities and timing vary year to year, so check current Recfishwest and DPIRD updates before booking a trip.

Yes. Unlike most south-west drinking-water catchments, Big Brook Dam is managed for recreation — swimming off the sandy beach, canoeing and kayaking are all allowed, and a sealed 4km loop track follows the shore. That makes it an easy family trip: fish a point at first light and let everyone swim once the day warms up.