The beautiful waters of Sydney Harbour are home to some of the best fishing spots in the world, if you know where and how to get there. Get your fishing gear packed, because we’re going to show you where to find them!
Despite being busy with ferries and boats, Sydney Harbour still contains a diverse ecosystem of over 3000 unique species of marine life. Located right in the city, some of the best fishing spots in Sydney Harbour are more accessible than you’d think, making it approachable for anglers of all ages and levels of experience.
Whether you’re looking for a new fishing haunt in the heart of the city or looking for a different fishing challenge, we’ve collated a list of ideal fishing spots in Sydney Harbour for casting your lines.
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7 Best Fishing Spots in Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour has dozens of harbour coves and beaches, creating hundreds of possible fishing spots all along its edges. We’ve narrowed down the top 8 Sydney Harbour fishing spots where you can make the most of your bait, and most importantly, have a great time.
North Harbour
Let’s start off with a lesser-known fishing spot that boasts some great catches. North Harbour is situated near the coast just across Manly Beach and the Sydney Harbour National Park, and features a wild shoreline carved by craggy formations and steep cliffs, forming perfect shelters for marine life. These are underwater crevices around this part of the harbour that serve as both hiding spots and feeding areas for a diverse range of fish. For land fishing, spots like Quarantine Beach or Reef Beach are quiet locales that offer amazing views while fishing. Alternatively, you can take advantage of this being one of the best boat fishing spots in Sydney Harbour and hire a boat charter for some boat fishing!
Types of catch:
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Yellowtail Kingfish
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Dusky Flathead
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Bluefish
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Australian Salmon
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White Trevally
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Surf Bream
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Australasian Snapper
Rose Bay
Rose Bay is on this list not just for the diverse type of catch in the area, but also for the stunning backdrop of the city skyline that makes the fishing experience here that much more special. Fishing here is best done during the rising of the tide or just before twilight when the fish come closer to the coast to feed, but that shouldn’t stop you from spending the day here if you’d like — after all, fishing isn’t just about the catch but the process too. Set up along Rose Bay Beach or even take a kayak over to Shark Island for a little slice of serenity.
Types of catch:
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Dusky Flathead
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Surf Bream
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Australasian Snapper
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Sand Silago
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White Trevally
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Southern Calamari
Goat Island
Perhaps one of the more renowned fishing spots in Sydney Harbour, Goat Island is iconic for several reasons. Firstly, it’s positively teeming with marine activity, featuring popular catch such as sea bream, snappers, and even kingfish. The other reason for its popularity is its location right in the middle of Sydney Harbour, offering picturesque 360-degree views of the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Fishing here is an experience on its own that should not be missed, so put this one on your next weekend trip if you’ve not cast your line here yet.
Types of catch:
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Surf Bream
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Australasian Snapper
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Yellowtail Kingfish
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Gould's Squid
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Gunther's Wrasse
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Sydney Cardinalfish
Berrys Bay
A quiet alcove of a bay hidden on the northern side of the Sydney Harbour, Berrys Bay is on this list as a well-kept secret among experienced anglers. This fishing spot is great for early morning and late afternoon catch and release when schools of snappers and flatheads come up to the rocky coast to feed and explore its crevices. Access to the shore is via a well-marked and easy walking track from Waverton Park.
Types of catch:
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Australasian Snapper
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Dusky Flathead
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Largescale Leatherjacket
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Surf Bream
Clark Island
Clark Island sits just off the shore from Elizabeth Bay and has a couple of handy water facilities and amenities for fishers. It’s easily reached via boat or kayak, making the surrounding waters a viable spot for Sydney Harbour boat fishing as well. Being an uninhabited island, you also won’t have to worry about crowds scaring off your potential catch, creating the perfect environment for you, the sun, and the glistening waters for the harbour.
Types of catch:
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Australasian Snapper
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Dusky Flathead
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Surf Bream
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Jewfish
Darling Harbour
Areas with busy charter/ferry activity and marine life don’t typically go hand in hand, but we’ve seen and heard of monster-sized surf bream in the waters of Darling Harbour. This fishing spot isn’t for everyone due to how much marine activity there usually is, which is why we would recommend moving up to Barangaroo or over to Pirrama Park and take your chances there. If you can manage to set up in time for the feeding times around dawn and dusk, you’ll be able to snag some quality catches for sure.
Types of catch:
Athol Bay
Last but certainly not least, we have Athol Bay. The credibility and popularity of this spot are earned by its history as a fishing beach, making it one of the most reliable places to fish. You can access it by a short bush track which will lead to a rocky coast and a small beach, at which you can fish to your heart’s content. If walking with all your gear doesn’t sound like an ideal way to start your fishing trip, you can also reach Athol Bay via a boat hire for a great boat fishing spot in Sydney Harbour.
Types of catch:
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Yellowtail Kingfish
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Mackerel Tuna
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Australasian Snapper
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Bluefish
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Jewfish
Explore Sydney Harbour’s Fishing Spots on a Boat
There you have it, the top 7 fishing spots in Sydney Harbour. Most of these locations can easily be accessed on land, but land fishing tends to limit the types of fish you can catch, even at these best fishing spots. Your best bet for finding spots that are brimming with fish is always going to be boat fishing, as being on a boat will give you the freedom to change spots at a moment’s notice.
As Sydney Harbour’s premier boat charter service, we’re more than happy to help you get the best fishing experiences around the harbour’s top spots. We have an extensive number of boats you can choose from, whether it’s a quaint sailing boat or a full-sized luxury catamaran. Call us today to make your next fishing expedition a unique and memorable one with our fishing boat charters!