12 Best Sydney Fishing Spots 2025

10 Best Sydney Fishing Spots 2025

1. Browns Rock

Location: La Perouse
Type of fish: Bream, Trevally, Snapper, Tailor, Salmon
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

Take a bushwalk through the beaten track from NSW Golf Course and you’ll find Browns Rock, a safe platform hidden around the corner of Congwong Bay. A blissful place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Even the safest rock platforms can get hit with rogue waves. Make sure this trip to Browns Rock isn’t your last by reading our handy guide to Staying Safe on Coastal Rock Platforms.

Frenchmans Bay on the left – Congwong Bay on the right | Photo thanks to DNSW

Maximise your chance of reeling in dinner with two set ups; one targeted for pan-sized bream, silver trevally, and snapper, and another heavier set up, rigged with a floating pilchard or live yellowtail for any schools of tailor or salmon that may cruise by.

You could even be lucky enough to bag yourself the odd kingfish.

How To Get There

Browns Rock is around a 30 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

2. Gymea Baths

Location: Gymea Bay
Type of fish: Bream, Whiting, Flathead, Flounder, Salmon, Bonito, Kingfish
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

One great thing the Shire has to offer is Port Hacking River – one of the cleanest waterways in Sydney. To get there, drive down a steep hill and park at the end of Ellesmere Road to access the walkway that leads to Gymea Baths.

You can fish anywhere from the bath platform for species such as bream, whiting, flathead and flounder. Often schools of salmon, bonito and even kingfish feed around the moored boats so have a heavier outfit ready.

Photo by Vince Fleming

It’s a popular spot to swim so bring a towel and cossies, or for a bit of peace and quiet, there’s a short bushwalk at the end of the baths.

How To Get There

Gymea Baths are around a 45 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

3. Grays Point

Location: Grays Point
Type of fish: Whiting, Bream, Flathead
Best time to go: Incoming tide (low tide for sourcing yabbies)
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

Grays Point is the spot at which Port Hacking turns into Hacking River. These sand flats and mangroves are just a short walk from the eastern end of Grays Point Road.

Sunrise over Port Hacking, Bundeena | Photo thanks to DNSW

It’s an awesome spot to get your feet wet and chase whiting, bream and flathead.

The best time to hunt is on the rising tide, but there are opportunities to pump fresh yabbies for live bait at low tide. If you miss the chance to grab some live bait, work soft plastics and small surface poppers at this fishing spot instead.

Looking to cast in from the shore? Swallow Rock Reserve just a little upstream is a family friendly fishing spot, and you can drive there directly.

How To Get There

Grays Point is around a 50 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

4. Cooks River

Location: Brighton-Le-Sands
Type of fish: Bream, Tarwhine, Snapper, Trevally, Flathead, Salmon, Whiting
Best time to go: Early evening
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

Head to the northern point of Brighton-Le-Sands beach where the Cooks River spills into Botany Bay for an epic spot to set up for a flick of the rod.

As this is where freshwater and saltwater meet, there’s a wide variety of fish you could wrangle here. From salmon and snapper to whiting and flathead, it’s a bit of a lucky dip!

Photo by Anton Gorlin

Even if the fishing is slow, you’ll be entertained by the planes landing and taking off, just across the river.

Word on the street is early evening is the best time to chuck in a line at Cooks River!

How To Get There

Cooks River is around a 15 – 20 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

5. Parsley Bay

Location: Vaucluse
Type of fish: Leatherjacket, Trevally, Bream, Yellowtail, Kingfish, Blackfish
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

This is a hidden gem in Sydney Harbour that comes with the no-filter hashtag (particularly at sunset!). It’s a sheltered cove that houses a cable footbridge, secluded beach, and swimming pool, with the perfect fishing spot located just further up the bay.

Read more: How To Get Your Kids Into Fishing (While Avoiding Disaster)

Hello! Stunning! | Photo thanks to DNSW

There’s a jetty that holds bread and butter species such as leatherjacket, trevally, bream, yellowtail and even kingfish, with blackfish off the rock ledge to the right which are best attracted with a bread burley.

In most cases the tide is just right to fish unweighted here, letting your bait flutter down naturally works best.

The Parsley Bay Bridge, Vaucluse | Photo thanks to DNSW

How To Get There

Parsley Bay is around a 20 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

6. Beulah Street Wharf

Location: Kirribilli
Type of fish: Flounder, Snapper, Flathead, Trevally, Bream and Squid!
Best time to go: Early morning or late evening
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

It’s difficult to think of a more picturesque place to sit and ponder life while you dangle a line in the water than Beulah Street Wharf.

This wharf on the northern side of Sydney Harbour gives you an awesome view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge towering over you. The view makes it a preposterously popular spot, so don’t expect to be there on your lonesome.

Photo thanks to Robert Montgomery

It’s a top spot for picking up some squid, but you can expect to find bream and trevally from the wharf, or flounder, snapper and flathead from the rocks close by.

This is definitely a spot you want to hit up first thing in the morning, or last in the evening to avoid an excess of currents from ferries and boats crossing the harbour.

How To Get There

Beulah Street Wharf is around a 15 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

7. Hawkesbury River

Location: Brooklyn
Type of fish: Bream, Flathead, Jewfish, Crab
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

If you want to make a whole fishing trip out of it, head north to the Hawkesbury River. Gather your mates and hire a self-drive boat or cruise around in a houseboat.

Photo thanks to DNSW

Once you’re on the water, the fishing spots are endless; create a burley trail and try around the surrounding islands for bream, flathead, and jewfish. It’s also known for crabs if you have a crab pot available.

You’re bound to catch something decent – if you can get past the pesky catfish!

Brooklyn Central will sort you out with a weekend vessel if you don’t happen to have one in the garage.

How To Get There

The Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn is around a 50 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

8. Manly Dam

Location: Manly Vale
Type of fish: Australian Bass, Redfin, Silver Perch, Carp

Manly Dam is the perfect spot for both fishing first-timers and avid fly-fishers and is just a 15 minute drive from Manly.

You can put the kayak in and fish from there or cast in from the banks. The wetlands just by the dam wall are said to be the best fishing spot for reeling in some dinner. Hopefully Australian Bass is on the menu!

The whole area is a delightful place to spend the day, so pack a picnic and your hiking boots and stay awhile.

How To Get There

Manly Dam is around a 30 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

9. Clifton Gardens

Location: Clifton Gardens
Type of fish: Bream, Yellowtail, Kingfish, Garfish
Best time to go: Arrive early to get the best spot
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

This idyllic spot is perfect for those looking to make a full day out of their fishing trip.

Situated right by Chowder Bay, Clifton Gardens offers an enormous wharf to sink some bait off, a gorgeous beach to relax on, a sprawling parkland with barbeques and even a public pool.

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour from Clifton Gardens | Photo thanks to DNSW

Everyone wants a piece of this beauty, so get in early to avoid a huge crowd.

You’re sure to reel in something here, whether it be bream, yellowtail or maybe even garfish!

How To Get There

Clifton Gardens is around a 20 minute drive from the centre of Sydney.

11. Hornby Lighthouse, Watsons Bay

Location: South Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park
Type of fish: Trevally, Bream, Australasian Snapper, Dusky flathead, Whiting
Best time to go: During a rising tide or just before sunset
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

If you want great views while you fish, this is the spot for you. The stunning historic Hornby Lighthouse adds interest to the view of the familiar city skyline.

Sunset at Hornby Lighthouse | @tomojophotography via Flickr

Hornby Lighthouse is a great spot to catch a wide variety of fish – you never quite know what you’re going to pull up. Trevally and whiting are quite common.

The tides at Watsons Bay bring in small baitfish, which in turn attract the larger, predatory fish. These are your targets and most who come here report a positive day on the rocks.

Even the safest rock platforms can get hit with rogue waves. Make sure you stay safe on your visit to Watsons Bay by reading our handy guide to Staying Safe on Coastal Rock Platforms.

This one does require a walk to get there, so be prepared with snacks and drinks to avoid multiple trips back to the car.

How To Get There

Hornby Lighthouse is a 25 minute drive from Sydney CBD. You’ll need to park your car at Camp Cove and walk 500m to reach the Lighthouse.

12. Camp Cove, Watsons Bay

Location: South Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park
Type of fish: Trevally, Bream, Australasian Snapper, Dusky flathead, Whiting, Squid, Luderick
Best time to go: Early morning
Regulations: Valid fishing license required

This delightful little bay is full of a wide variety of fish for every angler to enjoy. The car park is right beside the beach so there’s minimal walking involved.

Camp Cove | Photo thanks to Andrew Gregory via DNSW

Camp Cove is the last parking spot for multiple great fishing locations around the South Head precinct, which are only accessible on foot. If you want to secure a car park – get there early.

Camp Cove is a beautiful slice of beach well-loved for swimming, kayaking, and fishing from the bank. It’s also home to what is possibly the cutest little jetty – great if you forget to bring a chair!

With such small beach frontage, positions are limited so if you’re planning on visiting, consider heading there first thing to avoid disappointment.

Anglers have caught squid in the kelp beds at either end of the beach, and flatheads are quite common here.

Finally, you’ll have a good chance of catching salmon and tailor if you head out early in the morning, particularly around the northern end.

How To Get There

Camp Cove is a 25 minute drive from Sydney CBD.

About the Best Fishing Spots Sydney

A frequent question I’m asked is ‘Where are the good fishing spots in Sydney?’

The thing is, there are tonnes of land-based shore fishing spots dotted around; it all depends on what you want to catch.

Sydney’s blessed to have a selection of the best waterways in the world. And the blessing of daylight savings allows a cheeky after-work fishing session to catch dinner and get home (or to the campground) by sunset.

Read more: How to Cook a Fish on a Campfire

With so many vantage points to sit back, relax, and wet a line, it’s bloody hard to pick the best fishing spot, but after much deliberation, I’ve come up with my favourite fishing spots in Sydney’s CBD and surrounds to escape to for a flick!

‘Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.’

Let’s chat fishing spots, Sydney! (and I might even let you in on some of Sydney’s secret fishing spots).

Not from Sydney? 7 Best Fishing Spots in Melbourne and 10 Best Fishing Spots in Brisbane

Keen to catch deep-sea beauties like this? Keep reading! | Shot by Phil Whitehouse via Flickr | License

How to Find a ‘Fishy Spot’

It’s not secret that the absolute best fishing spots, are, well, secret. Once people find a good spot, they sit tight and hope no one else notices for fear that it gets overfished and suddenly isn’t so great anymore. Fair enough too. But what does it take to find these ideal secret spots?

Recognising a ‘fishy spot’ when fishing means identifying areas where fish are likely to be based on factors like water conditions, structure, and the presence of food sources. Here are some key things to look for:

1. Structure: Fish love places where they can hide or find shelter. Look for underwater structures like jetty posts.
2. Underwater Features: Areas with submerged rocks, boulders, fallen trees, or drop-offs create natural habitats for fish. These structures provide shelter for fish and attract baitfish, which in turn attract predators. Be mindful that more obstacles for fish to hide in means more opportunities to snag your line.
3. Shallow to Deep Transitions: Fish often hang around the edges of shallow and deep water, especially where there is a significant change in depth, like drop-offs or ledges. These areas allow fish to move between feeding zones and deeper hiding spots.
4. Water Movement: Fish are often drawn to areas with moving water (also called riffles), like where rivers meet lakes, or areas with current changes. This can be near river mouths, tidal flats, or where water flows around rocks or bends. Fish use the current to bring them food and help with oxygenation.
5. Weed Beds and Vegetation: Fish like to hang out near plants or weed beds, which provide both cover and a food source. Look for areas where aquatic vegetation is present in lakes, ponds, or coastal waters.
6. Warm Water Pockets: In cold-water environments, fish are attracted to areas where warmer water accumulates, like near warm-water springs, shallow bays that heat up in the sun, or deeper parts of lakes where water stays warmer in the winter.
7. Baitfish Activity: Where you find schools of small fish, you’re likely to find larger predators not far behind. Watch for jumping baitfish, ripples on the surface, or birds diving into the water. These are all signs that fish are actively feeding.
8. Water Clarity and Temperature: Fish tend to be more active in specific water conditions. Some species prefer clear water, while others thrive in murkier conditions. Temperature also plays a big role in fish behavior, as they tend to seek areas where the water temperature is most comfortable for them.

A good fishy spot combines structure, food sources, and water conditions that make it an ideal environment for fish to live and feed. Keep an eye on these features when scouting for the best fishing locations! This is an acquired skill so remember to be patient – it’ll pay off eventually!

Want to fish somewhere there’s nobody else around? The Majesty of a Day Spent Fly Fishing in Kosci

@atlasoutdoorclub

When All Else Fails…Get a Guide

If your solo fishing efforts have left you casting into empty waters, it might be time to call in the experts. A guided fishing trip can be a game-changer, especially when you’re struggling to find those elusive fishy spots.

Guides know the local waters like the back of their hand and can quickly steer you toward productive fishing grounds. They’ll teach you the best techniques for the area, and you might even pick up some pro tips along the way.

Plus, it takes the guesswork out of the equation so you can focus on what matters most: hooking your next big catch!

Read more: My First Fishing Lesson Rewarded Me With a Hobby for Life

@jessleenehme with her first ever catch on a guided fishing trip with Tom’s Outdoors | @mickey.finn

Fishing Tips

• Lure fishing is good but fresh bait is best
• Fish as light as possible (jighead/sinker and line) – heavier gear doesn’t always mean heavier fish
• Use a rod, reel and line that are compatible with each other
• If you’re really keen on lure fishing, reef beach is a reliable spot to find bream, flathead, and tailor
• Fish during turning tides – check the tides before you head out with the Tides Near Me app or the NSW tide tables
• Burley, burley, burley!
• Bring a net to help secure your fish when reeling it in
• If you find land based fishing around Sydney too crowded, head out in your boat on north harbour. It’s got fewer launching points than middle harbour and tends to be quieter
• The best fishing spots in Sydney for Australian salmon are along the eastern beaches – think Coogee, Maroubra and Bondi Beach. You can also have luck rock fishing at North Head and South Head
• Land based fishing isn’t about finding the prettiest sheltered bays or the closest spot of deep water – sometimes you’ll get the best catch off the nondescript boat ramp
• Be careful of your gear when pier fishing, we’ve seen many a knife lost between boards

Found some fishing spots in Sydney you want to try from this article? Epic! Sign up to get adventure inspo direct to your inbox every week!

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Urban fishing views don’t get much nicer than this | Shot by Phil Whitehouse via Flickr | License

Fishing Spots in Sydney FAQs

Where are Sydney’s secret fishing spots?

Sydney has many great locations to go fishing, starting with the places on this list! As for the best hidden fishing spots, they’re so good because they’re exclusive! The more times you head out, the more likely it is you’ll find one for yourself. Keep looking!

Do I need a licence to go fishing in Sydney?

Yep! But don’t stress, getting a recreational fishing licence isn’t like getting a driver’s licence – you don’t have to prove you’re a capable fisher to obtain one, phew!

Take your fishing skills to the next level! 5 Ways to Start Spearfishing (Without Spending a Fortune)

You can buy an annual recreational fishing licence for $35, but if you’re just looking for one to last the weekend, a three day licence is only $7.

You can buy one online, over the phone, through the Service NSW app or even at most NSW Kmart stores – nifty!

Get a Fishing Licence

What fish are biting around Sydney?

The type of fish you’ll catch depends which fishing spots in Sydney you head to, but you can expect to reel in something like this; 

• Flathead 
• Whiting 
• Leatherjacket 
• Bream 
• Snapper 
• Silver Perch 
• Trevally 
• Salmon 
• Australian Bass

And if you’re lucky, you might even get something exciting on your line (or net) like; 

• Squid 
• Abalone
• Prawn
• Lobster

The NSW Department of Primary Industries outlines the full list of both saltwater and freshwater fish and other marine animals that you can find around NSW waterways and beaches. 

Types of Fish in NSW

Are there limits on how much fish I can catch?

Definitely! The bag limit of a fish determines how many of a particular fish species a single person can catch and take home every day according to the NSW fishing rules.

There are also strict rules about what the size of a fish must be before you can take it home for dinner. These limits help prevent certain fish species from being overfished.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries details all of this information on their website, so there’s no excuse for taking home a fish that still had a whole life ahead of it. 

Saltwater Fish Limits             Freshwater Fish Limits

What is the best time to fish in Sydney?

The best time to fish in Sydney all depends on the tides and weather. Traditionally it’s best to fish during a changing tide, i.e when the tide is coming in or going out, as that’s when fish are swimming through channels the most.

You’ll also have better luck fishing in the early morning or early evening rather than the middle of the day.

How do I measure a fish?

The length of a fish is very important in knowing whether it’s a keeper or a kiss ‘n’ let live. When measuring a fish, the NSW Department of Primary Industries says,

‘The overall measurement of a fish, whether it is fork-tailed or round tailed, is taken from the snout on the upper jaw to the end of the tail.’

Don’t forget to bring your ruler! 

How To Measure a Fish

Is it legal to fish in Sydney Harbour?

It sure is, as long as you’ve got a valid recreational fishing licence.

Although might be best to avoid the foot traffic near the Opera House.

Is it safe to fish in Sydney Harbour?

The Department of Health advises that any fish caught on the western side of Sydney Harbour Bridge and its connecting waterways, such as the Parramatta River, should be thrown back and not eaten, due to high levels of dioxins found in the fish and crustaceans there.

There’s also an advised dietary limit on the amount of fish that a person should consume from the eastern side of the bridge as well, so be vigilant out there!

Is fishing allowed on Parramatta River?

Yes, providing a valid recreational fishing license you can fish from the shore of the Parramatta river!

Is it legal to fish in Sydney Harbour?

Yes, you are allowed to go fishing in Sydney Harbour. Commercial fishing was banned in 2006 due to chemicals found in the water, which remain elevated. There are limits to how many fish caught from the harbour it is recommended to consume. The NSW Department of Primary Industries has provided a handy guide with all the information you need to know about recreational fishing in Sydney Harbour. 

Want more adventures near Sydney?

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• Wild Swimming Spots Near Sydney
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• Best Waterfalls in Sydney
• Best Places to Kayak Near Sydney
• Canyons Near Sydney

Feature photo by Daniel Lee