Fishing in Batemans Bay and Eurobodalla

The Eurobodalla region of the NSW South Coast has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to waterways with copious lakes, estuaries, rivers and coastline in which to drop a line. Anglers can fish from jetties, rocks, beaches, kayaks or boats to catch dinner.

Remember your lifejacket if rock fishing or in a small boat under 4.8m. Unless fishing under the supervision of a licensed guide, you will need to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee to fish in the waters of Eurobodalla and throughout NSW. Licenses span from three days to three years, and you will need to carry your receipt with you when you fish.

Father ad daughter enjoying a morning of fishing at Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma

Beach and jetty

Fishing from a jetty is lots of fun and ideal for kids. You’ll find jetties at Tuross Head, Mossy Point on the Tomaga River, and along the Clyde River. The region’s jetties are great places to catch yellow-eye mullet, bream, tailor, garfish and trevally. Whiting, mulloway and flathead are also common in Eurobodalla’s many estuaries.

Beach fishing enthusiasts should head to Potato Point and North Head at Moruya. When the surf is up, look for deep gutters where the fish congregate. When the water is calmer, take a lighter surf rod and try for tailor, salmon and flathead.

Man fishing in Tuross River, Tuross Heads, Batemans Bay, South Coast

Hire a boat

Hiring a boat is a great way to fish when and where you want. Wagonga Inlet in Narooma is a beautiful spot to drop a line. Narooma Marina have boats that take up to five and don’t need a boat licence. You can also hire boats from Tuross Boatshed that take up to four people for fishing on serene Tuross Lake.

For something a little different, try your luck fishing from a kayak. Durras Lake is a popular spot for this, or opt for a tinny or from the shore. Keep an eye out for bream, flathead, whiting, salmon, trevally and jewfish.

Couple enjoying a day of fishing at Turross Head, Batemans Bay Area, South Coast

Fishing charters

A great way to experience deep sea fishing is on a charter vessel. Companies like Batemans Bay Fishing operate charters for reef, deep sea or game fishing with expert guides onboard. Beginners are also welcome. Narooma Fishing Charters run charters to Montague Island, Potato Point, Tuross Reefs or Mystery Bay.

Charter Fish Narooma specialises in fishing charters to Montague Island where kingfish, bonito, morwongs, snapper, flathead, and gummy sharks are there for the catching. Narooma Charters has two vessels with the skippers and crew very experienced. They fish around Narooma, off the Continental Shelf and off Montague Island.

Fishing Safety

By law, you are required to wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest while rock fishing in some areas of NSW, and it is recommended that you wear a buoyancy vest for lake, river and sea fishing. Please see the Water Safety NSW website for more details.

Please consider the following safety tips when fishing:

Choose a safe place where there are no hazards
Be very careful when walking on rocks as they can be slippery, and rogue waves can be unpredictable.
Never fish alone and always watch the waves
Be aware of the tides and weather
Wear appropriate footwear, clothing and head protection.
Carry a float and line to help anyone washed in

Follow these additional safety tips at all times when rock fishing:

Never turn your back on the sea or ocean
Tell family or friends of your plans
Always spend time watching the conditions before fishing, and scan for changing conditions.
Check tides, swell and weather conditions before setting out and never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas.
Carry safety gear such as ropes, a float and torches.
Note the location of and access to life buoys where they are present
Plan an escape route in case you're washed in
Don't put yourself at risk if someone else is washed into the water
Carry a mobile phone