Hawkesbury vs Colo vs Macdonald: How Each River Fishes Differently

The Hawkesbury catchment is often spoken about as a single fishery, but in reality it is made up of three very different rivers. The Hawkesbury, Colo and Macdonald each have their own character, challenges and rewards, and understanding how they fish differently is critical to consistently finding Australian bass.

While these rivers are interconnected, they demand different approaches depending on conditions, season and tide. Choosing where to fish on any given day is not about preference, it is about reading the system and matching tactics to what the river is offering.

The Hawkesbury River: Big Water, Big Opportunity

The Hawkesbury is the largest and most dynamic of the three rivers. It is expansive, heavily influenced by tides and offers a wide range of habitat including timber, rock walls, grass, eddies and deep water.

Bass in the Hawkesbury are highly mobile. They move with tide and flow, often positioning themselves where current brings food to them rather than holding tight to one piece of structure all day. This makes timing especially important. The same stretch of water can be quiet one hour and alive the next as water movement changes.

One of the major appeals of the Hawkesbury is fish size. When conditions line up, the average fish tends to be larger than in the smaller tributaries, and the chance of encountering a 40 centimetre plus bass is always present. The trade-off is that the river demands more decision-making. Covering water, understanding how fish set up on current edges and knowing when to move on are key to fishing the Hawkesbury well.

This river rewards preparation and adaptability. It is not about fishing one bank slowly and hoping for the best, but about understanding where fish should be based on tide height, direction and recent weather.

The Colo River: Technical and Visually Demanding

The Colo River fishes very differently to the Hawkesbury. It is narrower, clearer and more technical, with sand-filtered water that often provides excellent visibility. This clarity creates unique sight-fishing opportunities, but it also means fish are more aware of what is happening above and around them.

Bass in the Colo tend to be more position-specific. They hold in defined current seams, behind structure and along edges where fast water meets slower flow. Presentation matters here. Line choice, lure landing and retrieve all play a bigger role than in dirtier water systems.

Flow is a major factor in how the Colo fishes. When the river is moving, it can fish exceptionally well. Strong current concentrates fish and creates predictable holding areas. When flow drops away, fish can become more scattered and cautious, requiring a slower and more deliberate approach.

The Colo is also part of the Greater Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site, which adds to its wild and remote feel. It is not uncommon to fish long stretches without seeing another boat. On the right day, when conditions align, the fishing can be outstanding, with high numbers of fish possible. When conditions are not right, it demands patience and precision.

The Macdonald River: Subtle and Opportunistic

The Macdonald River is often underestimated, but it consistently produces quality bass for those who understand it. Darker water, deeper holes and constantly shifting sand create a river that fishes differently from day to day.

Unlike the Colo, the Macdonald offers less visual feedback. You are often fishing water you cannot see into, relying instead on understanding how structure changes with tide and how bass use deeper holes and eddies. These holes move over time as sand shifts, which means past knowledge must be combined with real-time observation.

One advantage of the Macdonald is that fish tend to be less spooky. The darker water provides cover, allowing bass to stay active even after multiple catch-and-release encounters. This can make the river very productive during peak periods, particularly when other rivers are pressured or conditions elsewhere are less favourable.

Big fish seem drawn to this part of the catchment. Deep water, steady food flow and reduced visibility all contribute to creating opportunities for larger bass, including some exceptional fish.

Choosing the Right River on the Right Day

Understanding how these rivers fish differently is only part of the equation. The real key is knowing when to fish each one.

Tide movement, recent rainfall, water clarity and seasonal patterns all influence which river will fish best on any given day. A rising tide might favour one system, while a falling tide or increased flow might make another the better option.

This is why guided trips are planned around conditions rather than fixed locations. The goal is always to put anglers on the most productive water available, not to force a plan that looks good on paper but does not match what the river is doing.

One System, Three Experiences

Together, the Hawkesbury, Colo and Macdonald Rivers form one interconnected system, but they offer three very different fishing experiences. Big water and roaming fish, technical clear-water precision, and dark, subtle opportunistic fishing all exist within the same catchment.

Understanding these differences is what turns a day on the water into a successful fishing experience. It is not about fishing harder, but about fishing smarter, choosing the right river and adapting to what the conditions are telling you.

That is what makes the Hawkesbury catchment such a compelling place to fish, and why no two days on these rivers are ever the same.