Sydney's Best Fishing Spots
- Written by Men's Weekly
Sydney, Australia, offers a diverse range of fishing locations, from bustling harbor spots to serene beaches and inland rivers. Here's a guide to some of the best places to cast a line in and around Sydney.Sydney Harbour Spots
Sydney Harbour itself is a premier fishing destination, popular with both locals and tourists. Many spots offer good land-based fishing opportunities, often with iconic city views.
Bradleys Head: This location is known for bream, especially when using live worms. You can also catch flathead, luderick, and leatherjacket closer to the wall.
Clifton Gardens: A fantastic spot for a variety of estuary species, including bream, flathead, tailor, luderick, leatherjacket, yellowtail kingfish, and Australian salmon. It features a large wharf and a beach.
Blues Point Reserve: Offers good fishing, particularly on the sheltered western side.
Beulah Street Wharf: Located directly across from the Opera House, this spot is best at night for fishing.
Middle Head / Obelisk / Inner Middle Head: Known as a squid hotspot and great for all-around fishing, particularly luderick.
Beach Fishing
Sydney's beaches provide opportunities for ocean breeze fishing and various species.
Bondi Beach: While a popular tourist spot, Bondi is good for pink snapper, bream, salmon, whiting, and morwong. Finding a less crowded spot can be challenging, especially in summer.
Maroubra Beach: Another popular beach fishing location.
Coogee Beach: Be aware of the large aquatic reserve here, but you can find Southern Calamari, yellowtail kingfish, bream, flathead, and Australian salmon.
Brighton-Le-Sands (Botany Bay): This area offers plenty of space and fish, including bream, flathead, trevally, snapper, tailor, blackfish, and Australian salmon. You can fish from the beach or around the rocks near the Cooks River mouth.
Cronulla Beach: A lively spot with a variety of species like bream, tailor, and Australian salmon.
Land-Based and Inland Fishing
For those looking for easily accessible spots on foot or further inland, Sydney has several options.
Parramatta River: Home to Australian estuary fish species such as bream, flathead, trevally, and Australian bass. Health advisories for eating fish from this river should be noted.
Cooks River: Offers fantastic estuary fishing with large flathead, trevally, bream, bluefish, and even occasional yellowtail kingfish. The angling pressure can be light here.
Yarra Bay: A recommended land-based fishing spot.
Tom Uglys Bridge (Georges River): You can fish from either shore, with Tom Uglys Point on the northern end offering ample parking and a concrete fishing platform. Good for various species.
Manly Dam: A freshwater spot ideal for families and beginners, with Australian bass, redfin, silver perch, and carp. You can fish from the bank or a kayak.
Nepean River: Known for Australian bass, carp, and mullet.
Hawkesbury River: A good option if you want to make a whole fishing trip out of it, known for bream, flathead, jewfish, and crab.
Specific Species and Seasons
Mulloway: Deep water spots in Sydney Harbour, like those near the Harbour Bridge, are good for mulloway.
Kingfish: Popular in the warmer months in Sydney Harbour, and also found at locations like Bondi Beach and Browns Rock.
Morwong: Peak season is November to March, found year-round in estuaries and bays near structures.
Pink Snapper: Peak season is May to September.
Remember to always fish responsibly, minimize noise, leave no litter, and be respectful of others and the environment. Also, note that Sydney Harbour and its tributaries are Intertidal Protected Areas, prohibiting the take of any shellfish, molluscs, and crustaceans. Always check for current fishing regulations and licensing requirements.
