Lake Menindee is the largest of the Menindee Lakes system in outback New South Wales, measuring 16 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide. It sits adjacent to the town of Menindee, approximately 110 kilometres southeast of Broken Hill. The lake is part of a broader water storage scheme fed by the Darling River, which supplies water to Broken Hill, the lower Darling, and downstream users across New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

Water levels in Lake Menindee are highly variable, a defining characteristic of the entire Darling River system. The lake depends on replenishment when flows from the Darling River are sufficient, and storage levels can fluctuate dramatically — at times sitting as low as 30% capacity. Paddlers planning a visit should check current storage levels well in advance, as the lake may hold significantly reduced water during dry periods. A boat ramp is available at Menindee for launching.

WaterNSW manages the lake and enforces several restrictions. Model aircraft and drones are prohibited on the water. Recreation areas are closed on all Total Fire Ban days, which is a relevant consideration given the outback location and hot, dry summers. Penalties of up to $44,000 apply for breaches of these restrictions.

The broader Menindee Lakes system is ecologically significant for waterbirds, though recent research has noted a decline in the ecological resilience of the food webs within the system. Fish kills have occurred in the Darling River downstream of the lakes, reflecting ongoing water quality concerns in the region. The surrounding landscape is characteristic outback NSW, with the remote township of Menindee providing the nearest services and Broken Hill accessible roughly 110 kilometres to the northwest.