Sydney has no shortage of great fishing spots, from calm rivers and bays to open waters with bigger catches.

The city has a harbor, coastline, and natural reserves, which make it one of the best cities in the world for fishing.

Whether you prefer fishing from a wharf, a quiet riverbank, or taking the boat out, there’s always a spot that suits the way you like to fish.

Also, the variety is what makes fishing in Sydney so enjoyable. Close to shore, you’ll find bream, flathead, and whiting, while heading out deeper gives you the chance of finding something bigger.

In this guide, I’ll take you through ten of the best fishing spots in Sydney. Each one has its own appeal, and together they show why Sydney is such a great place to spend a day with a rod and reel.

Best Fishing Spots in Sydney

1- Browns Rock

Located at Henry Head Lane, Browns Rock is considered one of Sydney’s best fishing spots.

After a short bushwalk from the NSW Golf Course, you’ll find yourself at this peaceful spot tucked away near Congwong Bay.

It’s a safe and flat rock ledge, which makes it ideal for anglers who want both comfort and results.

Still, like any rock platform, caution is important since rogue waves can occasionally roll in.

This area is home to a wide range of fish, including bream, trevally, snapper, tailor, and salmon.

To improve the chances, many locals bring two setups—one light rig for pan-sized fish, and one heavier setup with pilchards or live yellowtail for schools of tailor and salmon.

Some even manage to hook the occasional kingfish here.

Browns Rock is around a 30-minute drive from central Sydney, making it a great weekend spot for anyone who loves fishing.

2- Gymea Baths

Located at 38 Ellesmere Road, Gymea Baths is one of the most popular fishing spots in the Shire.

Just along the clean waters of Port Hacking River, this spot gives anglers the chance to reel in bream, whiting, flathead, and flounder straight off the bath platform.

The area also sees schools of salmon, bonito, and sometimes even kingfish cruising around the moored boats, so carrying a heavier rod is a smart choice.

Aside from fishing, Gymea Baths is also known for swimming, so it’s a good idea to bring along your swimwear if you want to take a dip.

For those who prefer a quieter experience, there’s a short bushwalk nearby where you can enjoy some peaceful surroundings.

Reaching Gymea Baths is simple—it’s around a 45-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD. Parking is available at the end of Ellesmere Road, where a walkway leads directly to the baths.

Also Read: Best Fishing Spots in Adelaide

3- Grays Point

Grays Point is located at the junction where Port Hacking turns into Hacking River, and it’s one of the best fishing spots in Sydney for anglers who enjoy fishing in a more natural setting.

The area is made up of sand flats and mangroves, which you can reach with a short walk from the eastern end of Grays Point Road.

Also, the shallow waters make Grays Point a great location for catching bream, flathead, and whiting.

The best time to catch fish here is during the rising tide, but if you’re there at low tide, you can pump yabbies for live bait, which significantly increases your chances of success.

If bait isn’t an option, lures like soft plastics and surface poppers also work well. Many people enjoy this location because it allows them to wade into the water and fish at close range.

Grays Point is about a 50-minute drive from Sydney’s city centre, so it’s more of a half-day trip, but well worth the effort for its variety of fish and peaceful setting.

4- Cooks River

Located at Brighton-Le-Sands, Cooks River is one of Sydney’s most mesmerizing fishing spots, especially for those who don’t want to travel too far from the city.

The river flows into Botany Bay, creating a mix of fresh and saltwater that attracts a wide variety of fish species.

Anglers can expect to catch bream, tarwhine, snapper, trevally, flathead, whiting, and even salmon.

All this makes Cooks River an exciting fishing spot since you never quite know what you’ll pull in with your next cast.

Local anglers say the best time to fish here is early evening, when the fish become more active and the lighting makes for a relaxing atmosphere.

Even if the fish aren’t biting, you’ll stay entertained watching planes land and take off across the bay.

It’s a lively setting that combines city life with fishing, giving you a unique backdrop compared to more secluded spots.

Cooks River is only a 15 to 20-minute drive from central Sydney, which makes it ideal for a quick after-work fishing session or a weekend trip.

5- Parsley Bay

Parsley Bay in Vaucluse is a well-loved fishing location inside Sydney Harbour.

It’s not only scenic, with its cable footbridge and sandy beach, but it also offers anglers the chance to catch a good variety of fish.

Off the jetty, you can target bream, trevally, yellowtail, leatherjackets, and even the occasional kingfish.

For those who enjoy targeting blackfish, the rock ledge to the right is a good choice, especially when paired with a bread burley.

Fishing here usually works best unweighted, allowing your bait to drift down naturally.

Also, the whole area is calm and sheltered, which makes it a comfortable spot for both beginners and experienced anglers.

Parsley Bay is also a great spot if you want to combine fishing with a relaxing afternoon by the water since the bay has swimming and picnic facilities nearby.

Parsley Bay is roughly a 20-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD, making it a convenient option for a half-day trip.

Also Read: Things to Do in Sydney

6- Beulah Street Wharf

Located in Kirribilli, Beulah Street Wharf is one of the most picturesque fishing spots in Sydney.

Situated on the northern side of the harbor, it offers unbeatable views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Because of this, it’s a popular location—not just with anglers, but also with people looking to enjoy the views.

If you plan on fishing here, aim to go early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s quieter and the water is calmer.

From the wharf, you can expect to catch bream, trevally, and squid, while the nearby rocks produce flathead, snapper, and flounder.

Squid fishing in particular is very popular here, so bringing along a squid jig is a smart move.

Currents from ferries and boats can sometimes make fishing tricky, so timing your visit when the traffic is lighter will improve your chances.

Just 15 minutes from Sydney’s city centre, Beulah Street Wharf is one of the most accessible and scenic fishing spots in Sydney.

7- Hawkesbury River

Located in Brooklyn, the Hawkesbury River is more than just a fishing spot—it’s a destination.

Stretching across a massive area, it’s perfect for a full-day or even weekend fishing trip.

You can hire a boat or houseboat to explore different spots along the river and the surrounding islands.

Once you’re on the water, you’ll find prime spots to target bream, flathead, and jewfish. It’s also a known location for crabbing if you have the right gear.

Fishing on the Hawkesbury is a bit of an adventure. While you’re likely to hook something decent, you may have to put up with smaller fish like catfish along the way.

Many anglers use burley trails to improve their chances, which works particularly well in this area.

The mix of species and the vast waterway make the Hawkesbury River one of the top fishing spots in Sydney.

The Hawkesbury River is about a 50-minute drive north of central Sydney, and Brooklyn is the main entry point for boat hire and supplies.

8- Manly Dam

Located at 112 King Street in Manly Vale, Manly Dam is another must-visit fishing spot in Sydney for anglers who enjoy freshwater fishing.

It’s also a popular spot for beginners, thanks to its calm waters and easy access. You can fish directly from the banks or launch a kayak for a more active day on the water.

The wetlands near the dam wall are often considered the best area to cast a line, particularly if you’re targeting bass.

The dam is stocked with species such as Australian bass, redfin, silver perch, and carp.

Fly fishing and lure fishing are both popular here, and the peaceful environment makes it a great place to spend a day.

Beyond fishing, the area offers picnic facilities, walking trails, and opportunities to simply relax by the water.

Manly Dam is about a 30-minute drive from Sydney’s city centre, making it a good fishing spot for either a quick trip or a full day out.

Also Read: Best Beaches in Sydney

9- Clifton Gardens

Clifton Gardens, located near Chowder Bay, is one of the most family-friendly fishing locations in Sydney.

It offers a large wharf, sandy beach, and parkland with barbeques, making it easy to spend the whole day here.

The wharf is a popular place to target bread-and-butter species like bream, yellowtail, and garfish. On the right day, lucky anglers may even hook a kingfish.

The best advice is to arrive early, as Clifton Gardens attracts plenty of visitors, especially on weekends and holidays.

Between the fishing, swimming area, and public pool, it’s one of the busiest spots in the harbor. Still, the wide space on the wharf usually gives anglers room to set up for a good session.

Just a 20-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD, Clifton Gardens is a must-visit spot for those who want to go fishing in a peaceful environment.

10- Huntleys Point Wharf

Huntleys Point Wharf, also known as Gladesville Wharf, is located at Henley on the Parramatta River.

This fishing spot is unique because it’s recommended for catch-and-release fishing only.

The NSW Government has warned against eating fish caught west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge due to higher dioxin levels, so anglers here focus more on the sport than on taking home dinner.

Species commonly caught at Huntleys Point include flathead, bream, mulloway, jewfish, and leatherjacket.

The best time to fish here is late afternoon once ferry traffic eases, as calmer waters make fishing more enjoyable.

Despite the catch-and-release rule, the fish here are challenging and worth the effort, so bring strong tackle to handle bigger catches.

Only 20 minutes from Sydney’s city centre, Huntleys Point Wharf is an easy-to-reach option for anglers who enjoy fishing purely for the fun of it.