Cakora Lagoon in Clarence Valley: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Cakora Lagoon lies in Clarence Valley, New South Wales. The surface lies 2 metres up. With some 15 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Most waters listed here for Clarence Valley are larger. The town to know is Gulmarrad, 17 km out. Further out sit Yamba (20 km) and Maclean (21 km). Rules here are straightforward: one set of state rules.

• Where to Fish on Cakora Lagoon

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The tide is the timetable on this water; two hours either side of the change usually fish hardest. Oyster and old piling give the only hard structure in sight. Slack water is dead water on a place like this. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include bar-tail flathead, dusky flathead, long-spine flathead, stout whiting and jack mackerel. It reflects what has been logged, which depends on who was looking. Cakora Lagoon gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 14°C to 24°C. Fish feed through every month here. Winter here is cool and quiet, and often the most comfortable time out. April and May steady things again after the summer heat. At Cakora Lagoon the season follows that pattern closely. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. You will be walking about 1.3 km from the nearest car park. A picnic area is mapped about 1.2 km away. Public toilets are recorded roughly 1.3 km off. Barramundi and estuary fish want hard-bodied lures and soft plastics worked around snags and drains. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Lake Arragan, 7.7 km away. Check the position at Cakora Lagoon before loading the car.