Fishing Guide

Welcome

Greater Port Macquarie, just 4 hours north of Sydney has long been a haven for fishing enthusiasts of all ages and interest. Many different and popular species abound such as bream, blackfish, tailor, whiting, flathead and much more. There is also challenging and rewarding deep-sea fishing offshore. This angler’s wonderland reflects a beautiful and scenic landscape set around two magnificent river systems, the Hastings and the Camden Haven and pristine coastal waters with many rocky headlands and off shore reefs. No matter what time of the year you come to Greater Port Macquarie, we guarantee the fish are biting. The area is blessed with a warm temperate climate with water and air temperatures generally mild during the winter months and very pleasant during summer. The prevailing winds in summer are north easterlies while in winter the westerly prevails. Understandably spring and summer are the main fishing seasons but beach and rock fishing are popular in autumn and winter when tailor, bream and mulloway are moving along the beaches. The bustling seaside city of Port Macquarie offers everything you need by way of accommodation and services for the perfect fishing holiday. Or why not stay in the smaller townships of the Camden Haven such as Laurieton, Dunbogan, North Haven and Lake Cathie. Only 30 minutes from Port Macquarie they all have access to local fishing opportunities. And remember if you need to know anything about local conditions, the best fishing spots or what bait to use, just ask a friendly local at one of the fishing supply outlets in the area, or fishing at their favourite spot. Whether you cast off from a pier, throw a line off a boat or spend a relaxing day on the beach fishing, keen anglers will find Greater Port Macquarie has just what you need.

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All you need to know NSW Fisheries

The Hastings District Office on the corner of Uralla and Merrigal Roads, Port Macquarie is open Monday and Thursday 9am to 2.30pm and Tuesday 9am to 3.30pm. Or you can phone 6581 4084.

Fishing Licences Recreational fishers except children under 18 or pensioner concession card holders need a recreational fishing licence to fish any waters in NSW. This applies to all forms of recreational fishing including spear fishing, hand gathering, using traps or nets and bait collection. You can buy your licence in Port Macquarie from all businesses listed with a * on pages 10 and 11 or at our NSW Fisheries office. Prior to your visit you can purchase on the internet at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 1300 369 365.

Bag and Size Limits You should always be aware of the permitted bag and size limits for various species. A full range of printed information is available from the local Fisheries office or the local licence agents.

Beach Permits Vehicles are not permitted to be driven on beaches without a current beach driving permit sticker displayed. These are available from the Visitor Information Centres at Port Macquarie and Kew, at Hastings Council Offices in Port Macquarie, Laurieton and Wauchope and at the Dunbogan Boatshed.

Fish Cleaning Tables Fish to which a legal limit applies may not be filleted at sea. They can be gilled, gutted and scaled. There are two locations for fish cleaning tables in Port Macquarie at West Port Park and River Park. For the Camden Haven there is a table at the Fish Co-Op in Laurieton.

Tides As a guide tides at Port Macquarie are generally 30 minutes later than Fort Denison at high tide and 45 minutes later at low tide.

NSW Maritime Authority If you are going out on the water and have any queries check with the NSW Maritime Authority in Port Macquarie on 6583 1007. Their office on the corner of Uralla & Merrigal Roads is open Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

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Fishing the Hastings River The Hastings River starts high on the Great Dividing Range and winds its way through the rich farmlands of the Hastings Valley to spill into the Pacific Ocean at Port Macquarie. It has many significant estuarine tributaries with the Maria River and Limeburners Creek being very popular for anglers with boats. Tidal influences reach 32 kilometres inland to just upstream of Wauchope and this does impact on fishing. For those who wish to fish the upper reaches there are good catches of freshwater bass. However you will find most anglers in the estuary and lower reaches of the Hastings River. Some of the most popular fishing spots are almost right in the heart of Port Macquarie. The Southern Breakwall is good for tailor, bream, mulloway (jewfish) and luderick (blackfish). The Town Wharf and wharves near the Fish Co-Op at the end of Clarence Street are a good place to fish for families or those on holiday who just want to throw in a line. These spots provide a mixed catch and a chance to just relax. The Settlement Point Picnic area is also a favourite with families with good catches of whiting, bream and flathead. If you can get out on the water then one of the best places to fish is Limeburners Creek. Although there are speed and wash limits because of the oyster leases in the area, these farms also attract schools of bream and luderick. There are also flathead and blue swimmer crabs particularly in the shallower waters of Big Bay. Up river around Dennis Bridge is favoured for flathead and whiting while others try their hand in the Maria River, especially around the deeper waters of Boomerang Island.

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Boat Ramps In Port Macquarie you will find boat ramps at: Short Street, next to the Fish Co-op at the end of Clarence Street and off Park Street. There are also ramps at River Park Road in Settlement Point, at Ferrybank Creek Road in Port Macquarie West and in Blackman’s Point Road.

Spearfishing For those who want to go spear fishing there are a number of no go areas and restrictions throughout the rivers and beaches of Greater Port Macquarie. Those intending to spearfish should check with the local Fisheries office.

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Fishing the Camden Haven The Camden Haven River is a very popular and easily fished estuary. The area is best chracterised by its relaxed feel, tranquil setting and the scenic backdrop of North Brother Mountain. The river starts high up on the Comboyne Plateau. By the time it reaches the picturesque and historic town of Kendall in the Camden Haven it still seems to be a small local river. As it meanders to flow under the Pacific Highway it broadens dramatically and then finds its way through a very complex lakes system before flowing through Laurieton, Dunbogan and North Haven to the Pacific Ocean. Safe entrance to the sea via the Camden Haven Inlet and the bountiful fishing of the area is the reason why Laurieton is home to the local fishing fleet. The upper reaches of the river are known for mullet, bass and catfish but it is again the lower estuarine reaches which are more popular and known for good catches of bream, flathead and luderick. The breakwalls on both the North Haven side and Dunbogan sides of the estuary mouth are favoured locations with most having success in getting a mixed bag of fish.

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Boat Ramps If you have a boat then there are ramps on the eastern side of the North Haven Bridge and at the picnic area in North Haven. In Dunbogan they are located at Bay Street and off The Boulevarde, while in Laurieton they are in Reid Street and Laurie Street. Further upstream there are three ramps at: Henry Kendall Reserve, just off the Pacific Highway and at Raymond Street in Kendall. There is also a boat ramp off Ocean Drive just north of Lake Cathie.

Crabs and Prawns Part of the magic of the Camden Haven River is the network of the river into the Watson Taylors Lake and Queens Lake. These are renowned for their prawn and blue swimmer crab. The best conditions for success are at night each month around the new moon. At this time the prawns and crabs head for the sea on the run out tide. The most popular methods of fishing are dip or scoop nets. Hand hauled nets can be used but these must be registered with NSW Fisheries. You will also find prawns at nearby Lake Cathie as well as some bream, luderick, flathead, mullet and garfish.

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Beach and Rock Fishing

No matter where you are along the coastline of Greater Port Macquarie you will always see someone beach or rock fishing. Greater Port Macquarie’s North Shore it is a wilderness area and a great place to get away from it all. Queens Head between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head is considered one of the best fishing areas on the coast for rock blackfish (black drummer) and luderick. On the south side and closer to Port Macquarie, anglers should visit the beaches that run from Town Beach south to Lighthouse Beach for tailor, whiting and mulloway. For those with four wheel drives and a beach permit, access is possible at selected points south from Lighthouse Beach to magnificent Rainbow Beach and Grants Beach. In the Camden Haven, Perpendicular Point is one of the best rock areas in NSW with high ledges and platforms over deep water. The high ledge is famous for its land based captures of long tail tuna, kingfish, tailor, mulloway and mackerel tuna. The coastline of Crowdy Bay National Park is also very popular. At Diamond Head you may get snapper, big drummer or bream.

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Oysters

Greater Port Macquarie is known and loved for its oysters. Most visitors prefer to buy theirs from oyster leaseholders for these are purified prior to being sold for human consumption. Oyster collecting is however permitted along the entrance breakwalls to the Hastings River and at North Haven, and any other place such as pylons that are not part of a designated oyster lease. There is a total bag of 50 per person per day. However authorities stress that such oysters may contain harmful bacteria.

Off Shore Fishing

Once at sea there are some excellent reef areas with plenty of snapper, pearl perch and kingfish. To the north the area off Point Plomer and Big Hill provides opportunities for lots of reef fish while to the south there is a large reef off Diamond Head. North of Port there is some good game fishing with marlin, mackerel, dolphin fish, tuna and wahoo. A number of charter operators work out of Port Macquarie. If trying the fishing on your own, then you need to be aware that Port Macquarie has a bar, which must be carefully navigated and can be dangerous at ebb tides if the wind is northeasterly.

with Aquatic Blue Charters ✪ 40’ Noosa Cat small numbers ✪ Experienced friendly crew ✪ Deep Sea and Game Charters ✪ All Bait and Tackle ✪ Includes refreshments ✪ Packages available Contact us on 02 6583 8811 or 0427 484 438

www.aquaticbluecharters.com.au www.aquaticbluecharters.com.au

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Helpful contacts Bait

Hastings River Fisherman’s Co-Op Clarence Street Port Macquarie (02) 6584 7399

Laurieton Seafoods 1 Mill Street, Laurieton (02) 6559 5702

Boat Hire

Dunbogan Boatshed & Marina* 46 The Boulevarde Dunbogan (02) 6559 9713

Jordan’s Boating Centre* McInherney Close Port Macquarie (02) 6583 1005

Settlement Point Boat Shed 1 Settlement Point Road Port Macquarie (02) 6583 6300

Boat & Marine Equipment Camden Haven Marine

537 Ocean Drive North Haven (02) 6559 9344

Chris Wright Engineering 27 Bayside Court Laurieton (02) 6559 5958

Hastings Marine 185 Hastings River Drive Port Macquarie (02) 6583 5511

Holiday Coast Marine* 1 The Parade North Haven (02) 6559 9665

Mid Coast Marine 23 Bellowrie Street Port Macquarie (02) 6583 1492

Port Macquarie Chandlery & Marine Port Marina 5 Park Street Port Macquarie (02) 6584 4482

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Fishing Bait & Tackle Andrews Sport’s Store*

64 Clarence Street Port Macquarie (02) 6583 2226

Beta Buts* 531 Ocean Drive North Haven (02) 6550 8275

Dunbogan Boatshed & Marina* 46 The Boulevarde Dunbogan (02) 6559 9713

Fisherman’s Corner 1A Murray Street Port Macquarie (02) 6583 1111

Ned Kelly’s Bait & Tackle 42 Gordon Street Port Macquarie (02) 6583 8318

North Haven Boat & Tackle 1/559 Ocean Drive North Haven (02) 6559 5644

Port Macquarie Tackle* 141 Gordon Street, Port Macquarie (02) 6584 9972

Fishing Trips

Aquatic Blue Charters Berth 15 Town Wharf Clarence St Port Macquarie (02) 6583 8811

Canopus Enquiries (02) 6585 5474

Castaway Fishing Tours 3 Pindari Parade Port Macquarie (02) 6582 5261

Ocean Star Town Wharf Port Macquarie (02) 6584 6965

Port Macquarie Holidays Enquiries 1800 636 452

* Fishing licences can be obtained from these locations

Port’s longest & most experienced charter operator Charter fare includes

✯ Quality overhead rods & reels ✯ All bait & tackle ✯ Food & drinks ✯ Catch iced, cleaned & packed ✯ Free pick up & return For bookings contact John on 0416 240 877 All you need is your hat! or 02 6584 6965

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Set in 8 acres of natural bushland only 2kms from beach. New modern deluxe cabins. Grassy shaded caravan & tent sites. Contact your resident hosts Todd & Sally on 6559 9334

www.diamondwaterscaravanpark.com.au

Ask a Local GREATER PORT MACQUARIE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES Cnr Gordon & Gore Sts Port Macquarie & Pacific Highway Kew

Open 7 days. Call 1300 303 155 or book online www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au email [email protected]