Belmont Bay

Belmont Bay is a popular land-based fishing spot. It features a pier and boardwalk with a nice wide walkway to allow fishers on both sides without tangling up each other. The bay also features many great spots to drop an anchor if you are in a boat or kayak. If you are fishing from the land/shore the bay can be accessed from anymore between Green Point Reserve south to Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park.

The bay also features picnic areas and swimming spots if you wanted to take the kids down for a mix of water based activities.

Target Fish: Local fishers frequent Belmont Bay to target Bream, Flathead, Snapper and Mulloway.

Croudace Bay

Croudace Bay has a large boat ramp, that is very popular at peak times (school holidays, weekends etc.). The ramp itself has plenty of room and parking space, and is very user-friendly if you have a larger vessel. For some people the crowds turn them away. So be mindful if you, or your family, are uneasy around crowds as it can be quite congested here at times.

There are not too many options to fish from the land as there is not a lot of shoreline that is easily accessed from the nearby carpark. The issue here for families is you’ll need to wade through seagrass and past trees to find the gems. There are a small number of hidden shore based gems if you are prepared to wade in the water around the coastline for a bit, however, its not really recommended if you’re with young kids. In saying that the picnic areas, when the crowds are smaller, offer great spots where the water and tide mark are low.

Target Fish: If you do chose Croudace Bay it is a perfect location to target Flathead and Australian Snapper.

Murrays Beach Foreshore

You’ll find a very large waterfront here at Murrays Beach Foreshore and be spoiled with a jetty used by both fishers and boaters alike. This is a beautiful location to unwind and enjoy a picnic or throw a line in. It is a very popular spot for people swimming and other water sports given the gutters and waves that break nearby. Some people refuse to fish because of the seagrass, however, don’t let that throw you off. Find a spot and enjoy the great location used most days of the year by locals and visitors coming to Lake Macquarie to see this great offering

Target Fish: You’ll get a few great chances here, however, the most commonly caught species are Whiting, Flathead and Bream.

Pelican Foreshore

Pelican Foreshore is a fantastic family location for land-based fishing. Offering not only great views of the lake and the boats on the water, it also offers plenty of open space to allow you to relax (or picnic) whilst supervising the kids (or partner) fish. The foreshore is located between Swansea and Belmont and has both plenty of parking space and shade under nearby trees.

Target Fish: The foreshore is a great place to target your smaller, yet just as fun to catch, Whiting and Bream.

Pulbah Island

If you have ever lived in, or near, Lake Macquarie you will have likely heard of Pulbah Island. The island is the largest island in Lake Macquarie and is not for those faint of heart. It can only be accessed by boat and is very popular. The water is deep here, and can reach over 15 metres when the tide is right. Be safe and enjoy this unique Lake Macquarie location. The island can be accessed and offers a shallow beach on the northern side and a small partially protected bay on the east. There is a trail through the bushland if you need a break from fishing, but please respect the island as it is a declare sight of spiritual significance to the local Awabakal people.

Target Fish: This is a difficult place to target any one particular species given the wide variety of options. You will have opportunities for larger fish like and smaller fish depending on where you anchor or place your feet. Expect a chance to catch anything and everything here.

Shingle Splitters Point

Believed to be ones of the best places in Lake Macquarie to fish from the shore, this spot is both a locals, and visitors, favourite spot. You will find Shingle Splitters Point on Queen Street, Balcolyn and provided you don’t mind people you’ll be treated with many opportunities to fish here. Shingle Splitters Point is a great spot to have a picnic lunch, enjoy the views and relax after a big day fishing.

Target Fish: Given the more shallow water and land based options here you’re best targeting Flathead and Whiting at Shingle Splitters Point.

Speers Point Jetty

Speers Point jetty is a very family friendly location to fish. The jetty itself is both wide and long, allowing it to be shared amongst many groups of people. Parts of the jetty are more suited to those targeting fish hiding in seagrass and sand, whilst there is opportunities for deeper water near the end of the jetty. There is also plenty of room if you plan on boarding a boat or kayak.

Target Fish: Given the changes in options there are many species of fish you can target here, however, the most commonly caught are Tailer, Bream and Whiting.

Swansea Channel

Swansea Channel offers both land-based fishos and boaters equal opportunities. The channel’s tidal current and close proximity to the open ocean attracts a wide range of larger fish which you will struggle to find in the lake itself. It is one of the best places to have a chance to catch Australian Salmon without getting your feet wet, or even stepping off the land. It can get quite busy at times and if you are land based you’ll be reeling it at times due to heavy boat activity. If you’re an impatient fisher this may not be the best choice for you.

Target Fish: Given the ocean being so close there is a large variety of fish that can be caught here as some are attracted to the smaller fish, and the feed the larger ones leave behind. Come prepared to target squid, Australian Salmon, Bream, Whiting, Kingfish and prawns.

The Drop Over

You’ll need a boat to fish the Drop Over and it offers a different, at times a lot calmer water, then Swansea Channel. Closer to Marks Point and while equally busy as the channel, being a wider, more open, location it can be more suited to those with families not wanting to battle the tidal movement of the ocean. The Drop Over can be accessed from Village Bay Close, Marks Point and you’re best suited to float around Village Bay for great options.

Target Fish: More akin to fishing anywhere in the lake you’ll have a great chance to target schools of Flathead, Bream, Whiting, Kingfish and prawns near the Drop Over.

Valentine Boat Ramp

Both swimmers and fishers in Lake Macquarie are lucky, the local council often builds new features and Valentine boat ramp is one such spot. The newly built jetty, and nearby playground equipment at Bennett Park makes this spot a great family location. For those wanting to set up for a picnic there are also nearby shops, including a fish and chip takeaway. Plan to stay here for a few hours and you will not be dissapointed.

Target Fish: You’ll have no issues if you’re targeting smaller fish like Bream and Whiting here at Valentine Boat Ramp. Move deeper in a boat and you’ll open up options to everything the lake offers.