Paradise Dam

Paradise Dam is one of the newest Impoundments in Queensland, surrounded by plenty of natural bush, historic gold mines and the Goodnight Scrub on the northern bank. While no stocking program has been allowed to start here yet, the waters have already produced some nice catches of species that have been pushed down the Burnett River in flood events.

This scenic dam is long and narrow with dead standing timber along the edges. Paradise only has a few major catchment creeks that run into it, and none of these have very big bays at the current water level, which is at 74% capacity. At the moment, the top end of the dam is about a 28 kilometre run from the dam wall.

There are two camping areas now operating on Paradise dam, one at the Dam wall and the second on the western end of the dam at Mingo Crossing. The closest camping ground on the Eastern end near the dam wall has the "Paradise by the Water" kiosk that carries basic groceries, gas, bait and tackle, and kayak hire. Greg and Gale also take bookings for the camping ground that has 29 sites available and also operate the "Cruisin' Paradise Lake Cruises". For bookings or further information you can contact Gale at the kiosk on 07 41277278 or on mobile 0409 064809.

About 24 kilometres up you will come across the new Mingo Crossing bridge. On the northern bank at the bridge is the Mingo Crossing Recreational Area, which is on the Gayndah-Mount Perry Road. It has all amenities including powered sites, BBQ areas, fish cleaning station and boat ramp. The care-takers, Bert and Maffy Hutchins, can be contacted for information or bookings on 07 4161 6200.

Heading upstream from the bridge you will enter into the now-submerged Mingo Gorge. This is an extremly scenic part of the dam and offers big potential for fishing with its steep rocky banks and underwater ledges.

Those anglers who have fished the dam so far have caught the main species of yellowbelly and bass with a few lucky catches of barramundi. Other species that you would expect here would be eel-tail and fork-tail catfish, spangled perch, eels and the endangered lung fish.

As the water level rises in Paradise and the fish stocking comes online, it will no doubt be a popular destination for many anglers.