Based on daily rainfall and temperature datasets of 127 stations in Lake Poyang catchment during the period of 1960-2007,the climatic drought which was classified into slight drought,heavy drought and extreme drought by using Z index was studied in this paper.The results show that the frequency of drought in the south part of Lake Poyang area is less than that in the north part and the strength of drought in the south part is stronger than that in the north part.The slight drought mainly occurred from July to December,while the heavy drought and extreme drought mainly occurred from January to June.The range and strength of the drought have been increased since 2000 year,especially in 2003,2004 and 2007.The slight drought appeared in most months of 2003 with extensive area and heavy strength.The heavy and extreme drought with small area appeared in most months of 2003,except in March-April and June-July.The area and strength of slight drought were small in most months of 2004,but the heavy and extreme drought with extensive area and heavy strength appeared in March and June.The slight drought in July,October and November of 2007 occurred in extensive area,but heavy and extreme drought in May occurred in more than 80% area of Lake Poyang catchment.