Fishing in New South Wales

Fishing is possible in both fresh and saltwater places in New South Wales but the best fishing can be found off the coast. Exiting varieties of fish keep many anglers returning to the waters all year round. 

Bigeye tuna: This tuna species can be determined from others due to its large round eyes. It is found in all of the waters in the south of Australia but because of its ability to live in low light and oxygen levelled water, it is mainly found down deep. Can grow to over 2 metres in length and over 200kg but are mainly caught around the 150kg range.

Yellowtail kingfish: The yellowtail kingfish is one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean when comparing the same size as any other. It has amazing speed and strength that make targetting these fish really exciting. The Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas are just one of the areas that they are usually found in.

Sailfish: These fish migrate to southern Australian waters during the summer months and provide great fishing fun. They can grow up to 3.6 metres in length and around 60kg. Their upper part of the body is a dark purple colour while the lower body is a paler silvery blue and of course, they have the long and slender bill. 

Southern Bluefin tuna: These members of the tuna family migrate many parts of the southern coast of Australia each year and provide great fun for fishermen. They can form impressive schools of large numbers on the surface of the water and are opportunistic feeders that target mainly on squid, crustaceans, planktonic animals and fish. They can grow up to 200kg.

Spring: Trout season remains closed until the long weekend at the start of October to allow for spawning season. Once it opens the season is usually pretty productive.

Other species to target include Trevally, Sailfish and Queenfish in the saltwater estuaries and deep water. 

Summer: The summer period marks the best time to head out chasing many trout species in inland streams and lakes. Targetting rainbow and brown trout is popular at this time of the year.

In the saltwater areas both yellowfin tuna, sailfish, shark and marlin at there best.

Fall: During this period the water is starting to cool down again after summer and trolling for fish is a popular method. You will cover more area faster and improve your chances of catching a variety of game fish and it is, in fact, the most likely period to hook a big blue marlin.

Winter: In June until October trout fishing is closed due to spawning season. The saltwater areas you will find snapper on the reefs, Australian salmon travelling in schools along the beaches and further out the bluefin tuna will begin to show up.

New South Wales has what many tourists visiting Australia believe to be its capital city, Sydney, but despite this common misconception, the state is in fact not home to it at all. It does, however, boost popular tourist destinations such as Byron Bay in the north, Coffs Harbour, Wollongong, Newcastle and Tamworth. The latter actually hosts the largest music festival in Australia annually in January and it’s also one of the top 10 music festivals in the world.

Sydney is also of course in New South Wales and is arguably the most visited city in Australia. It has world-famous attractions such as the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

You need a fishing license to fish in freshwater and saltwater. The fishing charters & guides in New South Wales normally have the fishing license included in the price, so you don't need to buy one if you're chartering a boat.