An angler's guide to fishing Sydney

Discover Sydney’s best kept secret: Fishing the harbour

From the Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, Sydney is world famous for its iconic landmarks and attractions. But what many visitors (and even some locals) don’t realise is that some of the city’s best experiences lie just beneath the surface literally.

Sydney Harbour is a brilliant, yet often underappreciated fishery. There’s no shortage of access either, whether you’re fishing from a kayak, a tinny, or straight off a jetty, beach, or rocky headland. The range of species you can catch here is just as impressive.

That said, hooking a fish in the Harbour isn’t as simple as chucking a line in anywhere and hoping for the best. You’ll need to know the local rules, understand the conditions, and have a sense of which species hang out where.

Below, we’ve covered everything from fishing licences to local species, baits, and the best spots so you can make the most of this amazing urban fishery.

LICENCES AND LAWS

First things first, if you’re 18 or older and plan to wet a line anywhere in Sydney Harbour, you’ll need a NSW Recreational Fishing Licence.

This licence lets you fish in both freshwater and saltwater right across New South Wales.

Current fees:

• $7 for 3 days

• $14 for 1 month

• $35 for 1 year

• $85 for 3 years

You can grab your licence online or at most tackle shops. For info on fishing seasons, bag limits and other regulations, check out the NSW Recreational Fishing Guide.

SPECIES TO TARGET

Once you’ve sorted your licence, it’s time to think about what you’re chasing. Sure, you can drop a bait anywhere and see what bites, but knowing your target species, where they live, how they feed, and what they like will seriously improve your odds.

Kingfish

These sleek, powerful fish are a favourite among Sydney anglers. Juvenile kingies often school up in their hundreds throughout the Harbour, bays, and estuaries. You’ll have the best luck near bridge pylons, rocky reefs, and deeper channels. Try casting into deep water or fishing from wharves with decent depth.

Australian Salmon

Not a true salmon, but still a top sportfish. Adults usually school in deeper water, while younger fish hang around beaches and river mouths. Keep an eye out for surface splashes or birds diving,  that’s a good sign salmon are feeding near the top.

Bream

The bread and butter fish for shore anglers. Found all along the coast and throughout the Harbour, they love structure jetties, rock walls, and moorings. Try the sand flats early or late in the day, then move to shaded areas or deeper structures once the sun’s up.

Mulloway (Jewfish, Japanese meagre)

One of the true prize catches around Sydney. They can show up anywhere from brackish estuaries to offshore reefs, often around drop offs and deeper holes. Mulloway can grow to over two metres, so they’ll test both your gear and your patience. Many anglers chase them at night off the rocks or around bridge pylons.

BAITS, LINES AND LURES

When it comes to bait, nothing beats the real deal. Natural bait gives off scent and movement that lure fish in more effectively than any imitation.

Top baits:

• Prawns

• Small baitfish

• Live squid

• Yabbies

• Fish fillets or cut bait

• Worms (the classic go to)

• Cut poultry (Chicken thighs, or other grocery meats cut into chunk bait and put on your hook)

Artificial lures

Soft plastics are a great option, especially for bream, salmon, or juvenile kings. Use slow retrieves in shallower water or try a gentle jig off the bottom to mimic a wounded baitfish. Vibes and vibrating lures also work well in deeper water, just retrieve them slowly enough to get that subtle vibration going.

Lines and leader: A good all round setup is a 10lb (around 4.5kg) braided mainline with a 15lb (around 7kg) fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon is a must, as it’s nearly invisible underwater and holds up well against abrasion and teeth.

HIT THE HARBOUR

Whether you’re in Sydney on holiday, here for work, or you’re a local keen to give fishing a go, Sydney Harbour offers some of the best urban fishing in the world. So grab your gear, pick a spot away from the crowds, and get ready to experience the Harbour in a whole new way.

Now let’s go fishing. 🎣