Central Coast and Tuggerah Lakes fishing spots

From Norah Head to Box Head the coast mixes rock platforms and surf beaches with two big estuaries. Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Water are shallow, weedy systems for flathead, bream, whiting, luderick and prawns, while The Entrance and The Rip channels and the headlands add mulloway, tailor, salmon, drummer and kingfish. Estuaries fire in the warmer months; winter suits the rocks.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

8 spots here, all fished from land, 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: Central Coast and Tuggerah Lakes
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Norah Head	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
2. Budgewoi & Lakes beaches	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
3. The Entrance channel	Channel	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
4. Long Jetty (Tuggerah Lake)	Jetty	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
5. Terrigal Haven & the Skillion	Rocks	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	–
6. The Rip bridge (Brisbane Water)	Channel	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	–
7. Ettalong Beach channel	Beach	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
8. Box Head	Headland	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	–

1. Norah Head

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Lighthouse reserve parking; walk down to the platforms.
What's good here: Peak in October: Australian salmon and snapper. Also in season: rock blackfish, luderick, yellowfin bream, tailor and yellowtail kingfish.
Best tide: Rising tide in the washes; dawn for tailor and salmon.
Best wind: Westerly winds; avoid big easterly or south-easterly swell. Faces E.
Note: Broad platforms below the lighthouse: weed for luderick and drummer, metals for tailor and salmon, live bait for kingfish in summer.
Safety: Central Coast is a declared rock-fishing area: lifejacket compulsory on ocean-exposed rocks. The platforms are low and wash in moderate swell.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.28180, 151.58450 · Open in Google Maps (position: Norah Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Budgewoi & Lakes beaches

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Beach access tracks from Budgewoi and Lakes Beach car parks.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting, Australian salmon and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream and tailor.
Best tide: Low tide to find the gutters, then the run-in to dark.
Best wind: Westerly and south-westerly winds; nor'easters blow straight on. Faces ENE.
Note: Long beach running north from Norah Head with good gutters: worms for whiting and bream, pilchards and metals for tailor and salmon at dusk, mulloway after dark.
Safety: Surf beach with rips.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.23180, 151.56780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Budgewoi Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. The Entrance channel

Type: Channel · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Foreshore reserves at The Entrance and The Entrance North (Karagi Point); the bridge is close by.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead, sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick, tailor and school and eastern king prawns.
Best tide: The run-in brings clean ocean water; flathead along the sand edges on the run-out.
Best wind: Strong westerlies make the lake side hard: move to the ocean side then.
Note: Point is Karagi Point on the north side. Wade the sand edges with small plastics for flathead, float weed for luderick near the bridge, and scoop prawns on dark summer nights.
Safety: Very strong currents and shifting sand: don't wade the channel edge on a run-out. The entrance shoals and breaks: unsuitable for crossing by boat.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Net and trap closures apply in the entrance channel (see rules). Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.33180, 151.50110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Karagi Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Long Jetty (Tuggerah Lake)

Type: Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Foreshore parking at Long Jetty; walk out along the jetty.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream, eastern sea garfish, luderick and school and eastern king prawns.
Best tide: Higher tides; the lake's tidal range is small, so wind and light matter more.
Best wind: Light winds; westerlies blow straight along the jetty.
Note: Historic jetty reaching over shallow seagrass: light baits for bream and whiting, small floats for garfish, a scoop net for prawns on dark summer nights.
Safety: Shallow water under the jetty: no diving.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.34840, 151.48450 · Open in Google Maps (position: Long Jetty, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Terrigal Haven & the Skillion

Type: Rocks · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Haven car park and boat ramp; walking paths up to the Skillion.
What's good here: Peak in October: snapper. Also in season: yellowfin bream, rock blackfish, luderick, tailor, yellowtail kingfish and southern calamari.
Best tide: Rising tide around the rocks; dawn and dusk for squid.
Best wind: The haven is sheltered from southerlies; nor'easters blow in. Faces NE.
Note: Rocks around the haven and under the Skillion for drummer, bream and squid; boats launch here for nearby reefs and snapper.
Safety: Declared rock-fishing area: lifejacket compulsory on ocean-exposed rocks. The Skillion has unfenced cliff edges.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.44840, 151.45110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Terrigal Haven, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. The Rip bridge (Brisbane Water)

Type: Channel · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Parking and foreshore near the bridge on both sides.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway, dusky flathead and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and tailor.
Best tide: Slack water around the tide changes; the current is ferocious mid-tide.
Best wind: Sheltered; fishable in most winds.
Note: Narrow, deep channel at the mouth of Brisbane Water, noted for mulloway, bream and luderick. Expect to need heavy sinkers except near slack water.
Safety: Very strong tidal flow: not for wading or small children. Boats funnel through a narrow channel.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Brisbane Water net, trap and digging closures apply (see rules). Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.49840, 151.33450 · Open in Google Maps (position: The Rip, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Ettalong Beach channel

Type: Beach · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Foreshore paths and parking along Ettalong Beach.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting, dusky flathead and Australian salmon. Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor and luderick.
Best tide: Run-in for whiting and flathead; tailor and salmon chase bait around the turn.
Best wind: Easterlies are mostly blocked; strong westerlies blow across.
Note: Sandy beach on the main Brisbane Water channel with deep water close in: bait for whiting and bream, plastics for flathead, metals when salmon and tailor show.
Safety: Strong tidal flow along the beach. Channel bars off Ettalong and Lobster Beach break in big swell.
Zone: Not in a marine park. No digging (spade or fork) between the Ettalong ramp and The Rip. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.51790, 151.33280 · Open in Google Maps (position: Ettalong Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Box Head

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Steep walking tracks in Bouddi National Park; also fished from boats at the Broken Bay entrance.
What's good here: Peak in October: snapper and Australian salmon. Also in season: rock blackfish, luderick, tailor, yellowtail kingfish and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Rising tide; the run-out brings bait and pelagics past the headland.
Best wind: Northerly and north-westerly winds; southerly swell runs straight into the ledges. Faces S.
Note: Northern headland of Broken Bay with deep-water ledges: drummer and luderick in the washes, snapper, salmon, tailor and kingfish off the deeper ledges.
Safety: Central Coast is a declared rock-fishing area: lifejacket compulsory. Remote, swell-exposed ledges: never fish alone.
Zone: Not in a marine park. The Bouddi National Park marine extension (no fishing, Gerrin Point to Bombi Point incl. Maitland Bay) starts about 3.5 km north-east. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -33.54840, 151.35110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Box Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

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

Boat ramps: Central Coast and Tuggerah Lakes
Ramp	Notes	Position
Norah Head Boat Ramp - Cabbage Tree Harbour	2 lanes, 0-10 car/trailer spaces, water access: shallow at times, toilets, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Cabbage Tree Harbour ocean ramp; shallow at times and exposed to swell.	-33.27922, 151.56861 Google Maps
The Entrance - Picnic Point Boat Ramp	4 lanes, water access: all times, pontoon, toilets, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Tuggerah Lake side of The Entrance; four lanes.	-33.33683, 151.49338 Google Maps
Terrigal Haven	2 lanes, 51+ car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, toilets, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Ocean ramp in Terrigal Haven.	-33.44762, 151.45041 Google Maps
Masons Parade - Gosford Main Boat Ramp	3 lanes, 51+ car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, pontoon, toilets (TfNSW record). Gosford waterfront on the Broadwater; good parking.	-33.43407, 151.34156 Google Maps
Lions Park Western Boat Ramp	2 lanes, 21-50 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, pontoon, toilets, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Woy Woy, mid Brisbane Water.	-33.48461, 151.33527 Google Maps
Ettalong Beach South Boat Ramp	1 lane, 0-10 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times (TfNSW record). Ettalong, near The Rip and the channel; small and rated poor.	-33.52088, 151.33186 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Central Coast and Tuggerah Lakes in October: sand whiting, dusky flathead, Australian salmon, mulloway 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: sand whiting, dusky flathead, Australian salmon, mulloway, snapper, sand and tiger flathead, Australian bass and estuary perch.

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

Tuggerah Lake entrance channel: no hoop or lift nets, hand-hauled, push or scissor prawn nets, crab traps or lobster traps.
Budgewoi Lake (Munmorah power station outlet): closed to all fishing 6 pm to 6 am, May to August; Budgewoi Creek: no nets except prawn dip or scoop nets and landing nets.
Brisbane Water and Broken Bay north of the Little Box Head - Green Point line: no nets or traps other than landing nets, prawn dip or scoop nets and bait traps (lobster traps are also closed in the entrance area).
No digging with spade or fork at Ettalong (ramp to The Rip) or in the Cockle Creek - Empire Bay area; shellfish closures near Saratoga.
Bouddi National Park marine extension (Gerrin Point to Bombi Point incl. Maitland Bay): closed to all fishing.

Marine parks and no-take zones

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

Safety at Central Coast and Tuggerah Lakes

Central Coast LGA is a declared rock-fishing area: lifejackets are compulsory on ocean-exposed rocks.
The Entrance and The Rip have very strong tidal flows.
The Broken Bay entrance and the Ettalong channel bars get steep, breaking seas when tide runs against swell.

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

Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury (about 28 km south-west)
Lake Macquarie (about 38 km north-east)
Sydney Harbour (about 54 km south)
Newcastle and Stockton (about 60 km north-east)

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: dpird.nsw.gov.au (Tuggerah Lakes entrance closures); dpird.nsw.gov.au (Lake Munmorah and Budgewoi Lake closures); dpird.nsw.gov.au (Brisbane Water, Broken Bay and Bouddi marine extension closures); nsw.gov.au (Central Coast declared rock-fishing areas map); coastiesmag.com.au (Coasties magazine: The Entrance bridge, The Rip, Tuggerah Lake and Norah Head fishing); dpird.nsw.gov.au (DPIRD Go Fishing Hawkesbury guide (2024): Brisbane Water and Broken Bay species); nationalparks.nsw.gov.au (Bouddi National Park visitor info: fishing outside the marine extension only); nsw.gov.au (Rock fishing lifejacket law and the list of declared LGAs); dpird.nsw.gov.au (NSW bag and size limits, bass and estuary perch catch-and-release period); data.gov.au (Spot coordinates: the site place index built from the Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and state naming authorities) and ABS ASGS 2021, CC BY 4.0); data.nsw.gov.au (Boat ramp coordinates, record ids, lanes, parking, water access and facilities (Maritime NSW Boat Ramps, Transport for NSW, Creative Commons Attribution; data updated Oct 2026)); spatial.industry.nsw.gov.au (NSW Marine Protected Areas zone polygons (DPIRD): every spot point was tested against sanctuary, aquatic reserve and special purpose zones).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.