Camden Haven fishing spots

Laurieton, North Haven and Dunbogan surround the Camden Haven Inlet, a clear estuary with breakwalls and Queens Lake and Watson Taylors Lake behind it. The walls and inlet give luderick, bream, flathead and mulloway; the beaches give tailor, bream and mulloway; and Perpendicular Point and Diamond Head are rock-fishing spots for drummer, tailor and kingfish.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

8 spots here: 7 fished from land and 1 reached only by boat or kayak, plus 6 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our NSW Mid Coast to Sydney species list for New South Wales. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.

Under each spot, "Forecast for this spot" opens the app's forecast worked out for that spot: Go, Marginal or No-go for each day of the week ahead, with the best times, wind, waves and tide. Open the forecast.

Spots at a glance

8 spots: Camden Haven
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Grants Head (Bonny Hills)	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
2. Pilot Beach (North Haven)	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
3. Camden Haven entrance walls	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
4. Perpendicular Point	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
5. Camden Haven Inlet (Laurieton)	Estuary	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
6. Dunbogan Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
7. Watson Taylors Lake	Lake	Boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
8. Diamond Head	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–

1. Grants Head (Bonny Hills)

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Bonny Hills village; short walk to the headland.
What's good here: In season in October: yellowfin bream, rock blackfish, luderick and tailor.
Best tide: Run-in for bream and luderick; drummer in the wash on any tide.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces E.
Note: Rocky headland at Bonny Hills: washes for drummer, bream and luderick, tailor at dawn, with Grants Beach running south towards North Haven.
Safety: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.59840, 152.85110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Grants Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Pilot Beach (North Haven)

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. North Haven foreshore near the entrance.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Rising tide; mulloway around the changes after dark.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces E.
Note: Beach at North Haven next to the entrance walls: bream and tailor on beach worms in the gutters, mulloway after dark, especially around the full moon.
Safety: Rips near the entrance.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.63170, 152.83440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Pilot Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Camden Haven entrance walls

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Walk the walls from North Haven or Dunbogan.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway and dusky flathead. Also in season: luderick, yellowfin bream and tailor.
Best tide: Luderick and bream on the rising tide; mulloway around the changes.
Best wind: Light winds; strong easterlies push swell into the entrance. Faces ESE.
Note: Training walls at the inlet mouth: luderick and bream on light gear and fresh weed, mulloway schooling along the walls. The point given is the official Camden Head feature at the entrance.
Safety: The Camden Haven entrance is a designated coastal bar. Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.64840, 152.83440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Camden Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Perpendicular Point

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Camden Head (Dunbogan side); walk down to the ledges.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: yellowtail kingfish, tailor, mackerel tuna, rock blackfish and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Pelagics follow bait rather than tide; drummer in the wash.
Best wind: Light westerlies and a small swell only. Faces ESE.
Note: High headland south of the entrance: deep-water ledges for kingfish, tailor, tuna and mulloway, with drummer and bream in the washes. For experienced rock anglers.
Safety: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down. Deep water and heavy wash below the ledges.
Zone: Not in a marine park; Cod Grounds Marine Park (no fishing) lies about 5 km offshore to the south-east Guide only, not for navigation: check parksaustralia.gov.au.
Map: -31.64840, 152.85110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Perpendicular Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Camden Haven Inlet (Laurieton)

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Laurieton and Dunbogan foreshores; several ramps.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead, sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and blue swimmer crab.
Best tide: Flathead on the run-out; luderick and bream on the run-in.
Best wind: Sheltered.
Note: The inlet along Laurieton and Dunbogan: flathead on the sand edges, luderick around the walls and Henry Kendall Reserve, bream and whiting throughout.
Safety: Boat traffic; strong currents towards the entrance.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.64840, 152.80110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Camden Haven Inlet, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Dunbogan Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. 4WD with a council beach permit off The Boulevarde; walk-in from Dunbogan.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream and tailor.
Best tide: Rising tide; dawn and dusk.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces ESE.
Note: Long beach south of the entrance: beach worms for bream and tailor in the protected corners, and tailor schools along the beach south of Dunbogan.
Safety: Unpatrolled; rips.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.68170, 152.81780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Dunbogan Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Watson Taylors Lake

Type: Lake · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat and kayak. Small-boat and paddle access from the Camden Haven side.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream and school and eastern king prawns.
Best tide: Rising tide; dark-moon nights for prawns.
Best wind: Shallow and wind-chopped in strong winds; best in light winds.
Note: Shallow lake south of the inlet: drift or wade the edges for flathead and bream, whiting on the sand, prawns on dark nights in the warmer months.
Safety: Very shallow in places.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.70260, 152.74140 · Open in Google Maps (position: Watson Taylors Lake, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Diamond Head

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Road into Crowdy Bay National Park (park fees may apply).
What's good here: In season in October: rock blackfish, yellowfin bream, tailor and luderick.
Best tide: Drummer in the wash on any tide; bream on the run-in.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces ESE.
Note: Headland in Crowdy Bay National Park: drummer and bream from the ledges, tailor at dawn. Mermaid Reef offshore to the south is a grey nurse site with a bait ban.
Safety: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down. Remote; limited mobile coverage.
Zone: Not in a marine park; Mermaid Reef (about 4 km south) bans bait fishing Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.73170, 152.80110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Diamond Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

6 public boat ramps are listed for Camden Haven, with positions from Maritime NSW Boat Ramps. Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Camden Haven
Ramp	Notes	Position
North Haven ramp	Camden Haven River. 2 lanes with pontoon; about 21-50 trailer parks; shallow at low tide; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.64031, 152.81732 Google Maps
Dunbogan Reserve ramp	Camden Haven Inlet. 2 lanes; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.64563, 152.81621 Google Maps
Laurieton United Services Club ramp	Camden Haven Inlet. 2 lanes; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.65085, 152.80002 Google Maps
Apex Park ramp, Laurieton	Camden Haven Inlet. 2 lanes; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition poor (TfNSW).	-31.65705, 152.79894 Google Maps
Lakewood ramp (Queens Lake)	Queens Lake. 1 lane; usable at all tides; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.63009, 152.76225 Google Maps
Kendall ramp (Camden Haven River)	Camden Haven River. 1 lane; about 0-10 trailer parks; shallow at low tide; fish-cleaning table; condition fair (TfNSW).	-31.63202, 152.70872 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Camden Haven in October: mulloway, sand whiting, dusky flathead, sand and tiger flathead and 4 more. Of the 29 species our NSW Mid Coast to Sydney list has for this part of the coast, 8 peak in October 2026 and 16 more are in season.

Peak in October: mulloway, sand whiting, dusky flathead, sand and tiger flathead, snapper, Australian salmon, Australian bass and estuary perch.

Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor, luderick, rock blackfish, yellowtail kingfish, blue swimmer crab, mackerel tuna, school and eastern king prawns, tarwhine, silver trevally, leatherjacket, eastern sea garfish, mud crab, southern calamari, Australian bonito and yellowfin tuna.

Out of season in October: mahi mahi (best Dec–Apr); marlin (best Jan–Apr); Spanish mackerel (best Feb–May); cobia (best Feb–May).

Seen now and then, so not rated: mangrove jack.

Seasons are closure-aware: a species is never listed as in season, for the area or at a spot, while it is closed there; a closure for part of the area says where. Species links go to our South East Queensland species guides, with Queensland's limits: New South Wales' own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

NSW Recreational Fishing Fee needed to fish NSW saltwater (incl. spearfishing, hand gathering, bait collecting, prawning): $7 3 days, $14 1 month, $35 1 year, $85 3 years (Oct 2026). Exempt: under 18, Aboriginal people, Pensioner Concession Card and DVA TPI/EDA Gold Card holders (other cases, e.g. some DVA payments or a charter or guide with an exemption certificate, are on the exemptions page). Interstate licences are not an exemption. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: New South Wales' limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Camden Haven

Cod Grounds Marine Park, about 5 km off Perpendicular Point (10 km from Laurieton), is entirely a national park zone: no fishing of any kind.
Mermaid Reef grey nurse aggregation site: line fishing with bait is banned (lures and soft plastics allowed).
No state marine park here: standard NSW bag and size limits apply; mangrove jack are rare this far south.

Marine parks and no-take zones

Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Camden Haven

The Camden Haven entrance is a designated coastal bar: get local advice and wear lifejackets crossing.
Perpendicular Point and Diamond Head are exposed ocean rocks: lifejacket and a partner.

New South Wales: official links

Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: NSW coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.

Boating: New South Wales boating safety, crossing coastal bars and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Boats <=4.8m: always on open waters and bars (L100+); enclosed waters when alone or at night. >4.8m: all wear L100+ crossing bars. Under-12s: always on <=4.8m; open areas <=8m underway.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue NSW. Log On when you head out and Log Off when you return. Call your Marine Rescue NSW base on VHF Channel 16 or use the free Marine Rescue NSW app. If you don't Log Off, volunteers start searching.

Marine parks and closed areas: NSW marine parks (Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens-Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans, Lord Howe Island), NSW aquatic reserves, Intertidal protected areas (Sydney) and Australian Marine Parks (Temperate East network, Lord Howe).

Rock fishing lifejacket law: Lifejacket required by law when rock fishing in declared areas (Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016): Ballina, Central Coast, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Northern Beaches, Port Stephens, Randwick, Richmond Valley, Sutherland, Wollongong. $100 fine. More.

New South Wales' official rules: size and bag limits and closed seasons and areas (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF channel 16 for distress.

Nearby fishing areas

Port Macquarie and the Hastings (about 26 km north)
Forster-Tuncurry and Wallis Lake (about 67 km south-west)
South West Rocks and the Macleay (about 82 km north)
Nambucca Heads and Urunga (about 120 km north)

Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in New South Wales · all fishing spot guides.

Sources and checked dates

Spot and ramp positions: Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and the state and territory naming authorities), CC BY 4.0, ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), CC BY 4.0 and Maritime NSW Boat Ramps (Transport for NSW), CC BY 4.0; gazetteer and ABS positions through our place index. Guide only, not for navigation.
Spot research checked 9 Oct 2026 and fact-checked 9 Oct 2026; species seasons and rules checked 9 Oct 2026; safety links checked 9 Oct 2026. Text in our own words.
Research sources: parksaustralia.gov.au (Parks Australia: Cod Grounds Marine Park (offshore from Camden Haven), national park zone, no recreational fishing); dpird.nsw.gov.au (DPIRD grey nurse rules: Mermaid Reef bait ban); portnews.com.au (Camden Haven reports: breakwall luderick and bream on the rising tide, Henry Kendall Reserve, mulloway on the walls around the full moon, Dunbogan beach worms, Camden Head and Diamond Head rock fishing); coastbeat.com.au (Perpendicular Point rock fishing: kingfish, tailor, mulloway, tuna); pmhc.nsw.gov.au (Dunbogan Beach 4WD access off The Boulevarde; joint beach permit); nsw.gov.au (Designated NSW coastal bars on the north coast (Transport for NSW)); placenames.gov.au (Spot coordinates: the site place index (public/data/places), built from the Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and state naming authorities) and ABS ASGS 2021, CC BY 4.0); opendata.transport.nsw.gov.au (Boat ramp coordinates, lanes, parking, tide access and facilities: Maritime NSW Boat Ramps dataset (Transport for NSW, Creative Commons Attribution), metadata updated 3 Oct 2026); spatial.industry.nsw.gov.au (Zone check of every spot and ramp: NSW Marine Protected Areas zone polygons (DPIRD spatial service), distances computed 9 Oct 2026); gis.environment.gov.au (Australian Marine Parks zones (DCCEEW): offshore spots checked against every Commonwealth park zone, 9 Oct 2026).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.