Waroona Dam / Drakesbrook Weir

Waroona Dam, also known as Lake Navarino, sits about ten kilometres east of the Waroona townsite and is the closest serious freshwater fishery to Perth — roughly an hour and a half south on the South Western Highway. Drakesbrook Weir is a separate, smaller irrigation impoundment on Drakesbrook Brook just out of town, and it is the cooler trout water of the two. The headline targets across the pair are redfin perch, plus DPIRD and Recfishwest-stocked rainbow trout (with brown trout featuring in some release years) — backed up by freshwater cobbler in the deeper holes.

Redfin are the consistent target and fish well on small soft plastics, bladed jigs, and worm baits along the edges and around submerged timber at both bodies. Trout in Drakesbrook Weir are best at first and last light on small spinners, soft plastics or PowerBait off a light running sinker. Waroona Dam is large enough to reward a kayak or small boat, particularly along the eastern arms and out from the dam wall; Drakesbrook is smaller and entirely workable on foot. Cobbler are a quiet, after-dark target on whole prawn or freshwater shrimp baits in the deeper basins.

Redfin perch year-round across both bodies (the most reliable catch — and a declared pest that must not be returned alive to the water). Rainbow trout from the annual stocking programme into Drakesbrook Weir, with timing tied to the Waroona Troutfest event; brown trout in some release years. Freshwater cobbler in the deeper holes after dark. Marron under their own short open season Jan 8 – Feb 5 (Waroona is trophy waters — 90mm minimum carapace, 5/day bag).

Drakesbrook is the trout water; Waroona Dam is the redfin and recreation water. Don't drive down expecting trout out of the bigger lake. The Troutfest event and Recfishwest's stocking schedule put rainbow trout into Drakesbrook on a known calendar — time your trip near a release window for the best shot. Power boating, skiing and swimming are heavy across Lake Navarino through summer; fish the early mornings and weekday evenings to avoid the wake. Buy the South-West Freshwater Angling Licence (and a separate Recreational Marron Licence if you're chasing marron in season) before you turn up. Marron are taken with drop nets, scoops or snares only — no rod and line.

Drive from Perth is roughly 1.5 hours via the South Western Hwy through Pinjarra. Waroona Dam (Lake Navarino) is signposted east of Waroona townsite on Invarell Road, with the Lake Navarino Holiday Park as the practical base — caravan and chalet accommodation, boat ramp, kiosk, and direct lake access. Drakesbrook Weir is reached via Drakesbrook Weir Road on the eastern edge of Waroona town, with a free day-use area, picnic facilities and easy bank access around most of the perimeter. Both sites are sealed-road and broadly mobility-accessible to the waterline. Mobile reception is workable but patchy in the surrounding state forest.

Both bodies fish best from autumn through spring when water temperatures suit the trout and the redfin tighten to structure. Mid-summer water in Waroona Dam warms quickly and pushes redfin deeper; Drakesbrook holds cooler longer but still slows in February. Wind is the kayak limiter on the dam — afternoon easterlies build and the open basin chops up by mid-afternoon. Water colour holds clear outside winter run-off events. Boating, skiing and swimming traffic on Lake Navarino is heaviest weekends through summer and shifts where the fish hold.

Power boats, jet skis and water skiers operate heavily on Waroona Dam through summer; kayak anglers should fly a flag, stay near the bank and avoid the marked ski lanes. Submerged timber holes hulls and chews lures across both bodies. Forest fire restrictions apply through summer and can close access at short notice; check DBCA alerts before driving in. Snakes are active around the bank edges in warmer months. Drakesbrook is small enough that a careful walk works — Waroona Dam is large and a PFD is non-negotiable in any small craft.

No — they are separate water bodies in the same area. Waroona Dam (also called Lake Navarino) is the larger reservoir east of town, used heavily for water skiing and recreation. Drakesbrook Weir is the smaller, cooler irrigation impoundment closer to the townsite and is the one stocked annually with rainbow trout. They share a catchment and similar fishing methods but fish quite differently.

Yes — Drakesbrook Weir receives an annual rainbow trout stocking under the Recfishwest, DPIRD and Shire of Waroona Troutfest programme, supported by Alcoa and partners. Brown trout have featured in some release years. Stocking dates and quantities vary year to year — check Recfishwest and DPIRD updates close to your trip.

Yes — a South-West Freshwater Angling licence from DPIRD is required to fish for trout, redfin perch, freshwater cobbler or marron at both Waroona Dam and Drakesbrook Weir. It is separate from the marine recreational fishing licence. Read the current DPIRD freshwater guide for season dates, bag and size limits.

Lake Navarino Holiday Park on the western shore of Waroona Dam offers the main commercial camping, chalet and caravan setup with direct lake access and a boat ramp. Drakesbrook Weir is day-use only — no camping at the weir itself. The Shire of Waroona and Visit Waroona pages list current site availability and fees.