Fishing on Lake Cargelligo
Lake Cargelligo is not just a haven for birds and a great place to take in the ambience, it also offers some of the best fishing in the Lachlan Valley.
The best times for fishing is in the spring, summer and autumn and the best methods are all the normal techniques
including trolling, lure casting and bait fishing will catch fish in the lake including yellowbelly, redfin and cod.
Lake Cargelligo has benefited from several new stocking programs with yellowbelly and silver perch being
released in the past few years.
The main lake features two-boat ramps as well as plenty of access for shore based anglers. With large areas of the lake covered with stumps and areas of drowned timber, there are plenty of good fishing spots to be found. Trolling and bait fishing along the eastern side of the lake will also produce good catches of fish.
Lake Curlew, which is adjacent to Lake Cargelligo and connected via a channel, also has good fishing spots including overhanging willows and drowned timbers. A map of the lake and best areas to fish is available from the Lake Cargelligo Tourist Information Centre.
Fisherama Fishing Festival
Proof of the popularity of Lake Cargelligo and the nearby Lachlan River is particularly evident in October when the town holds its annual Fisherama. The event offers more than 30 cash prizes for fish caught during the festival along with a major prize draw.
As well as these individual prizes, there is a special section for fishing clubs to compete against each other. Juniors are catered for through a number of sections offering cash prizes. The only requirements for participation in the festival are a line, a fishing licence and a little time to wile away.
Contestants and people just wetting a line are encouraged to catch and remove as many European carp as possible in an effort to rid the lake of this species and allow native fish to flourish. During October, the highly prized Yellow Belly and Redfin are flavour of the month.
Any money made from the Fisherama goes back into the acquisition of native fingerlings for restocking the lake with as many as 10,000 a year released.
- For more information about the Lake & lake activities contact:
Lake Cargelligo Tourist Information Centre:
1 Foster Street, Lake Cargelligo NSW
02 6898 150