Top 12 Fishing Spots in Sydney: A Complete Guide

It’s hard to pass up all the benefits of being close to a major city like Sydney, Australia, while still being able to enjoy all the top fishing spots just a few minutes away. Sydney, or ‘Harbour City’ as it’s known, is surrounded by some fantastic fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. You just need to know where to find them.

Sydney truly has something to offer all anglers, from sheltered bays to large rock walls, estuaries, and sandy beaches. There are literally hundreds of hidden locations close to Sydney where a keen angler can get out and drop a line.

In the following guide to the top 12 fishing spots in Sydney, we’ll cover:

If you’re new to fishing and looking to improve your catch rate, be sure to check out Fighting a Fish Even When You’re Outmatched, where we cover everything you’ll need to know about fighting and landing big fish when you’re outmatched and overwhelmed.

Catching fish in Sydney can be a real challenge despite how great fishing is around the state. Luckily, thanks to the Fishbox App, a premium Fishing Forecasting App, you’ll have access to advanced technology, including the best time to go fishing in Sydney and when you’re better off spending some time cleaning and organizing your tackle box.

Top Fishing Spots in Sydney

In this section, we’ll cover some of the top fishing spots in Sydney by region or area. If you’re planning on fishing in either saltwater or freshwater in Sydney, NSW, you’ll need to purchase a recreational license. To learn more about licenses, including season, size, and bag limits, please visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

Sydney Harbour Fishing Spots

If you’re in the city and plan on taking advantage of inshore fishing, there are some fantastic local Sydney Harbour fishing spots, including Bradleys Head, Clifton Gardens, and Blues Point. The great thing about fishing close to the harbor is that it won’t take you long to try a few different spots, and with light tackle and line, the fishing action can be great fun.

Bradleys Head

The old stone-facing Sydney Harbour is a great location, with live worms being cast out long and wide, which is a prime spot for Bream. Closer to the wall, you can expect to catch a variety of estuary species, including Flathead, Luderick, and Leather Jacket. Another local hot spot is the White Rock or White Wall.

Clifton Gardens

If you love fishing for a variety of estuary species such as Bream, Flathead, Tailor, Luderick, Leather Jacket, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Australian Salmon, then Clifton Gardens is a fantastic spot in Sydney to try. If the weather offshore on the surf beaches is keeping you at home, then try some of the more sheltered locations around Sydney Harbour, including Clifton Gardens, which is a great place to start.

Blues Point

Night Fishing is the go-to choice for local angels targeting a large Jewfish close to Sydney Harbour. It can take a little perseverance and the right gear, but if you’re lucky, you might be fortunate enough to experience one of the powerful runs. If you plan on targeting Jewfish or big Yellowtail Kingfish, a medium rod and reel with 12 12-pound line is recommended, with locals using a heavier wire or nylon trace to prevent being bitten off by lurking Tailor.

Best Beach Fishing Spots in Sydney

If you fancy trying your hand at the beach or surf fishing, Sydney is home to some of Australia’s best surf beaches. While you can fish from the surf or beach with a small spinning rod, if you plan on doing it regularly, then investing in a good surf rod is recommended, as it will allow you to cast out into the surf much further. Some of the popular beach fishing locations close to Sydney include Bondi Beach, Maroubra Beach, and Coogee Beach, and if the fish aren’t biting, you can always give surfing a try!

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is an extremely popular tourist destination, so finding a fishing spot out of the way isn’t always easy, especially in summer. Some of the popular fish caught at Bondi Beach include Pink Snapper, Leather Jacket, Bream, Morwong, and Yellowtail Kingfish. Early morning and late evening are the most productive times to hit the surf.

Maroubra Beach

If you’re lucky and get there early, you can try out a local rock fishing location known as ‘the Stake,’ where some impressive fish have been landed. Some of the most popular fish species include Australian Salmon, Yellowtail Kingfish, Luderick, Bream, Flounder, and Tailor. If you plan on fishing from the rocks, safety should be your number one priority, and a life jacket and fishing buddy are recommended.

Coogee Beach

There is a large aquatic reserve at Coogee Beach, so be sure that you’re fishing in the right location before dropping a line. Some of the popular fish species caught around Coogee Beach include Southern Calamari, Yellowtail Kingfish, Bream, and Flathead, along with Australian Salmon.

Land-Based Fishing Spots

If you’re searching for land-based fishing spots in Sydney that are easily accessible on foot, three of the best locations are Parramatta River, Cooks River, and Yarra Bay. Land-based locations are easily accessible on foot, but typically, the further away from parking spots, the better the fishing action will be.

Parramatta River

Parramatta River is home to a lot of popular Australian estuary fish species, including Bream, Flathead, Trevally, and Australian Bass, just to name a few. Light spinning or bait tackle is the best gear to choose, but be careful about the fish you eat from this river, as there are some health advisories. However, if you’re just after some fun angling, especially for new anglers or families, the Parramatta River is a great location.

Cooks River

Cooks River is home to some fantastic estuary fishing with large Flathead, Trevally, Bream, Bluefish, and even the occasional Yellowtail King Fish. For such a great location, the angling pressure can be light, and when the fish are biting, the action is fast-paced. However, it’s advisable not to eat fish caught in the Cooks River, with catch and release commonly practiced.

Yarra Bay

Yarra Bay is a large body of water with a variety of both inshore and offshore species available. The fishing action can be hit or miss, with common species caught here including Bream, Australian Salmon, Flathead, Trevally, and Yellowtail Kingfish.

Western Sydney Fishing Spots

Western Sydney has some fantastic fishing locations, especially if you’re interested in freshwater fishing in Sydney, New South Wales. Some of the most popular spots include the Nepean River, Penrith Lakes, and Chipping Norton Lake.

Nepean River

Nepean River is home to Australian Bass, Carp, Mullet, Eels, and much more. It’s easily accessible to shore-based anglers, but if you have a kayak, you’ll be able to cover a lot more territory.

Penrith Lakes

Penrith Lakes are artificial lakes with a variety of fish species, including native and non-native fish. Fishing is restricted to specific days, and some of the popular fish species include Australian Bass. Anglers must use barbless hooks, with native fish catch and release only, and Carp must not be returned to the water.

Chipping Norton Lake

Chipping Norton Lake contains a lot of popular estuary and bay fish species, but it’s not recommended to keep or eat any fish caught in the lake. Try fishing around the edges of the lake with soft plastics for the best results.

Seasonal Fishing Tips in Sydney

In this section we’ll cover the best times and seasons to go fishing in Sydney based on your target species. While some seasons or times are peak, it doesn’t mean that you won’t catch fish year-round, just that some fish species have optimal times, so if you’re planning a destination fishing trip, plan around the peak times.

Blue Eye Trevalla – Peak Season: April – October.

Considered by many to be one of the best-eating fish in the Southern Ocean, Blue Eye Trevalla is a deep-water fish that lives in depths around 900 meters and grows to sizes of up to 50 kg.

Blue Marlin – Peak Season: December – March 

Ranging in size from 90 – 180 kg, Blue Marlin hunt offshore with no closed season.

Bonito – Peak Season: December – May

Lurking closer to coastal areas, the speedy Bonito grows up to 7 kg and will present quite a fight for anyone unprepared for their lightning runs.

Flathead (Blue Spot) – Peak Seasons: April – May and September – October 

Larger than their cousins, the Dusky Flathead and Blue Spot Flathead have two peak seasons but can generally be caught year-round in water depths up to 30 meters.

Flathead (Dusky) – Peak Season: April – May and September – October

Dusky Flathead can be caught year-round but have two peak seasons where they’re most active. Along with tasting fantastic and being great fun to catch on bait or soft plastics, Flathead is a staple fish for Australian anglers.

Gummy Shark – Peak Season: May – September

Ranging in size from 10-40 kg, Gummy Sharks can be found lurking around close to shore and will often take baits meant for other fish. 

Morwong – Peak Season: November – March

Morwong can be found year-round in large schools in estuaries and bays, close to wharves, jetties, and other underwater structures. They are a popular pan-size fish.

Pink Snapper – Peak Season: May – September

A prized table fish, Pink Snapper can be found in large numbers around Sydney’s reef system, typically in depths between 30 – 100 meters.

Salmon – Peak Season: October – March

Found both inshore and offshore, Salmon grows up to 6 kg and puts up a great fight, especially on light tackle.

Silver Trevally – Peak Season: April – October

Perfect for beginners, Silver Trevally can be caught at almost all inshore locations but likes to congregate in large schools close to underwater structures.

Tailor – Peak Season: November – March

Tailors can grow up to 14 kg and put up a great fight on light-medium tackle, but watch out for their sharp teeth and be sure you’re using a wire tracer or heavy nylon leader.

Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, and Albacore – Peak Season: June – October

If you want to get offshore and into some fantastic game fishing, then chasing Tuna in winter is one of the best ways to experience it. Without an offshore boat and the right tackle, the best way to experience Tuna fishing is by going out on a charter boat, but be sure to book early, as trips during the peak season sell out fast.

Yellowtail Kingfish – Peak Season: December – May

As the locals call them, Kingfish turn up off the coast of Sydney in massive numbers and wreak havoc on anglers who aren’t prepared. They grow up to 12 kg, and that weight is all muscle they use for lightning-fast runs.

Top 12 Fishing Spots in Sydney: A Complete Guide | Conclusion

There you go! Our top 12 fishing spots in Sydney include what you can expect to catch, the locations, tackle tips, and much more.

Even though the fishing in Sydney is fantastic, it’s not always easy to find the top fishing spots when you’re new to the city. However, don’t worry because we’ve done the hard work for you, preparing the ultimate guide to the best fishing locations in Sydney.

When you do get out on the water with your rod and reel, a few extra advantages never hurt to improve your chances of landing a fish. You’ll need the best baits, the right locations, and the premium fish forecasting application Fishbox App. 

Fishbox App will put you in the perfect position to catch some great fish by analyzing local weather and water conditions along with input from local anglers. The Fishbox App utilizes accurate weather, tide, and fishing conditions to predict the best time to get out on the water to catch your target species.

Have you spent a lot of time fishing in and around Sydney? Do you have some top spots you’d like to recommend? Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.