The lake is experiencing poor water quality which has taken a toll on its environment and habitat.

In January and February, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council received a number of reports from concerned residents in relation to hundreds of dead fish at the location.

Earlier this year a spokesperson from NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) said the current conditions at Lake Cathie are likely to continue without significant rainfall.

The situation at the lake sparked the formation of the Revive Lake Cathie group which is aiming to find and action a long term solution for the area.

Bill Bagnall has lived at Lake Cathie for 30 years and said he understands the power of Mother Nature on the lake system.

Bill made reference to the condition of the lake in 1994, which he said was the worse he had witnessed.

In 1994 Port Macquarie-Hastings Council dredged the lake twice, however Bill said the problem continued until a significant rain event in 1995.

Bill said dredging the lake is not a long term solution and the council needs to find a way to maintain a healthy level of sea water in the lake at all times.

Bill said a non-return valve on the lake end of a tidal pipe would hold water in the lake, particularly at times of low rainfall.

"This would maintain a healthy environment for marine life and allow for recreational water activities when the lake is closed," he said.

Bill said the valve would help to quickly raise the water level and open the lake when there is an average rain event, instead of waiting for a major rain event.

"The outcome would be more and longer openings, shorter closings and overall less sand in the front lake," he said.

Bill said a similar tidal system is in use at West Lakes, Adelaide where the fill and flush of a man-made lake is controlled.

The Revive Lake Cathie group has also been contacted by Bill Bagnall in relation to his tidal pipeline proposal.

The group's president Danielle Maltman said members are currently working with council and investigating all viable solutions through research pods.

"These will then be tabled to our volunteers and the public in due course," she said.

At its May meeting Port Macquarie-Hastings Council started a process in a bid to address the crisis facing the ailing waterway of Lake Cathie.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Lake Cathie Opening Strategy outlines the lake is only to be opened when the lake water level is at, or exceeds, 1.6 metre AHD or falls below 0.1 metre AHD with high salinity if optimal conditions allow.

"Currently the water level of the lake has fallen below this level," it states on council's website.

"However there are concerning circumstances that have meant the managing stakeholders have decided not to open the lake."

For more information regarding council's opening strategy please visit www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au