Nongra Lake in Central Desert: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Nongra Lake is set in Central Desert, Northern Territory. The country here is warm green lowland. At 9.11 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. Some 14 km of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. For a base, Halls Creek sits 220 km out. The nearest city of size is Darwin, 647 km away. Nothing worth a second stop lies within easy reach. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Nongra Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Nongra Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance. Look for the seam between clear and coloured water.

• Seasonal Patterns

  December runs about 31°C on average, July about 18°C. The year runs unbroken and warm. Levels swing with the wet season, which moves the fishing about. March through May and September through November are the strong stretches. The season on Nongra Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Confirm access to Nongra Lake locally before you travel.