Fishing at Arthur Lake, Central Darling, New South Wales

• Overview

  Out in Central Darling, New South Wales, sits Arthur Lake. It stands 143 metres above sea level. The water covers some 92 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. On size it sits at the modest end of our Central Darling list. Start from Bourke, 140 km down the road. Then Cobar, 147 km, and Brewarrina, 227 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Arthur Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The near bank of Arthur Lake is often the one people ignore. The same spot fishes differently at either end of the day.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 11°C to 29°C. Fish feed through every month here. The shoulder seasons either side of summer are the ones to aim for. April and May steady things again after the summer heat. Time your trip to Arthur Lake by conditions rather than dates. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Coonong Lake is 29 km distant. For Arthur Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.