Fishing Lake Eliza in Bourke, New South Wales

• Overview

  Look for Lake Eliza in the Bourke part of New South Wales. It lies 133 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 39 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. On size it sits at the modest end of our Bourke list. The town to know is Bourke, 113 km out. The nearest city of size is Toowoomba, 705 km away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Eliza

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shape of Lake Eliza rewards a slow walk along one bank. The mouth of any inflow is worth an hour after rain.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 29°C at the top of summer and 12°C at the bottom of winter. The water stays warm and open throughout. The shoulder seasons either side of summer are the ones to aim for. October and November fish well as the water warms. Plan around that when you fish Lake Eliza.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Public mapping marks it as seasonal water rather than permanent. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Local rules can differ across the regional boundary, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Youngerina Lake at 20 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Lake Eliza.