Are there really barramundi in Lake Argyle?

Yes, but the picture is unusual. Lake Argyle was used for commercial barramundi aquaculture in the 1980s and a number of fish escaped or were left behind when the operation wound up. Those residue fish are self-sustaining and grow very large, but encounters are uncommon and most days you will catch silver cobbler, sleepy cod or catfish before you find a barra. Lake Kununurra in town is the more reliable barra option because it is actively stocked each year by the Lake Kununurra Barramundi Stocking Group.

How dangerous are the crocodiles in the Ord?

Genuinely dangerous and present everywhere in tidal water. Saltwater crocs inhabit the lower Ord below the Diversion Dam, Lake Kununurra and Lily Creek Lagoon, and Lake Argyle alone holds an estimated 25,000 or more freshwater crocs. Fatal attacks have occurred in the region. Don't wade, don't swim, don't clean fish at the bank and don't camp within 50 metres of the water. Hire a guide for the lower Ord rather than launching a tinnie blind.

When is the best time to visit Kununurra for fishing?

The dry season — roughly May to October. Roads are open, conditions are calm, fish are biting and the heat is manageable. The build-up months either side (April and November) can fire for coastal pelagics off Wyndham but planning around cyclones gets harder. The wet season (December–March) is best avoided by anglers travelling in.

What fish are in Lake Argyle?

Silver cobbler are the reliable catch — bottom rigs with chicken, prawn or saltwater bait take them in numbers. Sleepy cod, archerfish and freshwater catfish round out the bycatch, and a residual population of large feral barramundi survives from the 1980s aquaculture operation: rare, but big when one turns up on a large soft plastic or diving lure along the submerged timber.

Can I fish Lake Argyle from the bank?

You can, but a boat is much more productive given the lake's size — over 700 square kilometres at high water. The Lake Argyle Resort precinct has the standard ramp and most anglers either trailer a tinnie up or hire one locally. Bank fishing for silver cobbler off rocky points and wash areas works well; bank fishing for barra is essentially a long shot.

Bite Compass

Bite Forecast

Kununurra / Lake Argyle / Ord River

Tue 20 Oct 2026 · Australia/Perth

Forecast updated 2:50am AWST

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📍 Kununurra / Lake Argyle / Ord River

first quarter · 65%

Weather: Unavailable Sheltered water: wind direction matters less here

★★☆☆☆

Low Fish Activity

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At the day's peak · 6:00 pm

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Time of day Dusk

Moon first quarter all day

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Activity Forecast

Day timeline

Major Minor Twilight

First light 4:33 am Last light 5:47 pm

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Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

5:30 pm → 7:30 pm

Good

4:30 am → 5:30 am

First light

4:33 am

Last light

5:47 pm

Sunrise

4:54 am

Sunset

5:25 pm

Moonrise

12:15 pm

Moonset

12:36 am

Wind Map

Wind data (text)

Current wind summary unavailable — see the wind chart above the map.

Wind map data: ECMWF HRES (operational), updated every 6 hours. Not for navigation.

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