Jims Lake in Central Darling: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  New South Wales holds Jims Lake, in Central Darling. The setting is sage and rock on every side. Surface area runs to roughly 2.34 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. Broken Hill sits 146 km from here and is the nearest stop. Gol Gol follows at 226 km, then Buronga at 227 km. Within a short drive: Dead Horse Lake 15 km, Pysant Lake lies 16 km on, Whistlers Lake 16 km, Rodgers Lake lies 17 km on and Well Lake 17 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Jims Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The near bank of Jims Lake is often the one people ignore. Fish move up in low light and drop back as it brightens.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put January near 27°C and July near 11°C. Winter is simply the pleasant end of an unbroken season. Spring, September into November, and autumn, March into May, are the strong stretches. Spring, September into November, fishes hardest, with autumn a close second. Plan any trip to Jims Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Dead Horse Lake is 15 km off. For Jims Lake in particular, ask before you travel.