Lake Copeton Fishing in Inverell, New South Wales

• Overview

  Lake Copeton falls in Inverell, part of New South Wales. It stands 566 metres above sea level. This is big water, about 37.53 sq km, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. The shoreline runs to about 82 km, far more than one trip can cover. It is high ground by New South Wales standards. The nearest town is Inverell, 20 km away. Toowoomba is the closest city, 277 km away. This is the only water of any size in the immediate country. Rules here are straightforward: one set of state rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Copeton

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include perch, goldfish and bobby. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. The near bank of Lake Copeton is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between July at about 8°C and January at about 22°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Summer heat is the limit here, not winter cold. The shoulder seasons either side of summer are the ones to aim for. April and May steady things again after the summer heat. That shapes the year on Lake Copeton.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Records list it as a dammed water rather than a natural one, which shows in the shape of the basin. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. Perch take small lures and worms fished near the bottom close to structure. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Signs at Lake Copeton carry more weight than any list.