Newcastle and Stockton fishing spots

A working coal port at the mouth of the Hunter River, where two long breakwalls frame the harbour entrance and hold mulloway, bream, luderick and tailor all year. Stockton Beach runs more than 30 km north to Anna Bay, and the city beaches south of Nobbys add salmon, tailor, whiting and drummer. Mulloway peak in the warmer months; luderick and salmon carry winter.

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: Newcastle and Stockton
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Stockton Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
2. Stockton breakwall	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
3. Nobbys breakwall (Macquarie Pier)	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
4. Horseshoe Beach (Newcastle Harbour)	Beach	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
5. Newcastle Harbour foreshore (Queens Wharf)	Wharf	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
6. Hunter River at Stockton	River	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	–
7. Merewether Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
8. Dudley Beach (Glenrock)	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–

1. Stockton Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Walk on at Stockton (south end). 4WD entries at Fern Bay, Lavis Lane and Anna Bay need a Worimi Conservation Lands beach permit.
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 read the gutters, then the run-in into dusk; night high tides for mulloway.
Best wind: North-westerly and westerly winds; strong southerly or easterly swell makes it unfishable. Faces SE.
Note: The gazetted point is mid-beach. Deep gutters and holes along the whole beach: salmon and tailor in autumn and winter, whiting in summer, mulloway after dark.
Safety: Remote beach: carry water and recovery gear if driving and tell someone your plans. Large surf and strong rips.
Zone: Not in a marine park (the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park ends at Birubi Beach SLSC to the north). Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -32.83180, 151.90110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Stockton Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Stockton breakwall

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Short walk from Stockton's southern streets; the wall is uneven rock.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway, sand whiting and dusky flathead. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and tailor.
Best tide: Around the tide changes when the flow eases; the run-out for mulloway on live bait.
Best wind: Westerly and north-westerly winds; big easterly swell breaks over the outer wall. Faces ESE.
Note: Point is Pirate Point at the base of the northern wall. Live mullet or squid for mulloway around the changes, weed for luderick on the harbour side, worms for whiting off the beach beside the wall.
Safety: Wet, slippery rock and wave wash on the outer wall. Ship wash and strong current along the harbour side.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.91730, 151.79030 · Open in Google Maps (position: Pirate Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Nobbys breakwall (Macquarie Pier)

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Walkway out along the wall from the Nobbys Beach car park.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway and Australian salmon. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick, tailor, yellowtail kingfish and silver trevally.
Best tide: Run-in tide for luderick and bream on the harbour side; changes of tide, especially at night, for mulloway.
Best wind: Westerly winds; north-easters and big easterly swell send waves over the end. Faces E.
Note: Point is Nobbys Head at the base of the southern wall. Harbour side for luderick and bream, the outer end for tailor, salmon and the odd kingfish.
Safety: Waves wash over the end of the wall in easterly swell: stay off it in big seas. Busy walkway: check behind you before casting.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.91950, 151.79890 · Open in Google Maps (position: Nobbys Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Horseshoe Beach (Newcastle Harbour)

Type: Beach · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Car park near Nobbys; small boat ramp at the beach.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and tailor.
Best tide: Rising tide into the evening.
Best wind: Sheltered from southerlies; westerlies ruffle the harbour.
Note: Small harbour beach tucked behind the southern breakwall with the channel close in. Light baits for bream and whiting, plastics along the drop-off for flathead.
Safety: Ships and tugs pass close and the channel current is strong.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.92340, 151.79280 · Open in Google Maps (position: Horse Shoe Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Newcastle Harbour foreshore (Queens Wharf)

Type: Wharf · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. City foreshore promenade with nearby parking and light rail.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick, tailor and silver trevally.
Best tide: Run-in tide and the evening change.
Best wind: Fishable in most winds; strong westerlies blow along the foreshore.
Note: Harbour walls along the city foreshore suit bait fishing for bream and luderick, with mulloway possible at night. Follow signs: some port and ferry areas are off-limits.
Safety: Deep water straight off the walls: supervise children. Ferry and ship movements close by.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.92570, 151.78130 · Open in Google Maps (position: Queens Wharf, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Hunter River at Stockton

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Foreshore reserves at Stockton and the Stockton North and South boat ramps.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and tailor.
Best tide: Tide changes around the bridge and wharves; mulloway on the slack.
Best wind: Sheltered; westerlies funnel down the river.
Note: Point is the gazetted Stockton Channel. Deep, tidal water past the port berths: bream and flathead along the edges, mulloway around structure and holes.
Safety: Commercial shipping and strong current. Don't take or eat shellfish from the lower Hunter (closures apply).
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.90240, 151.78280 · Open in Google Maps (position: Stockton Channel, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Merewether Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Beachfront car parks; rock ledges at the southern end near the baths.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and Australian salmon. Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor, rock blackfish and luderick.
Best tide: Rising tide; dawn and dusk for tailor and salmon.
Best wind: Westerlies; a strong nor'easter or a big south swell. Faces ESE.
Note: The gazetteer gives Merewether and Dixon Park beaches one point. Fish the corners and gutters for bream and whiting, metals for tailor and salmon, the rocks for drummer and luderick.
Safety: Rocks at the ends are swell-exposed: lifejacket advised (Newcastle is not a declared area). Fish away from flagged swimming areas.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.94840, 151.75950 · Open in Google Maps (position: Merewether Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Dudley Beach (Glenrock)

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Steep walking tracks from Dudley or through Glenrock State Conservation Area.
What's good here: Peak in October: Australian salmon, sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor and rock blackfish.
Best tide: Rising tide around the reef edges; night high tides for mulloway.
Best wind: Westerly winds; avoid big easterly swell. Faces ESE.
Note: Point is the gazetted Little Redhead Point, at the Glenrock end of the beach (the gazetted Dudley Beach point sits about 1.5 km inland). Quieter beach with reef patches and rock shelves: drummer and bream around the reef edges, salmon and tailor in winter.
Safety: Lake Macquarie LGA (Dudley southward) is a declared rock-fishing area: lifejacket compulsory on ocean-exposed rocks. Steep, remote access.
Zone: Not in a marine park. Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -32.96510, 151.73450 · Open in Google Maps (position: Little Redhead Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

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

Boat ramps: Newcastle and Stockton
Ramp	Notes	Position
Stockton South	2 lanes, 11-20 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, pontoon, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Lower Hunter near the harbour entrance.	-32.91529, 151.77876 Google Maps
Stockton North	2 lanes, 11-20 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, pontoon, toilets, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Hunter River North Arm side of Stockton.	-32.89992, 151.78575 Google Maps
Carrington Boat Ramp	2 lanes, 21-50 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, pontoon, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Inner harbour basins and the South Arm.	-32.91666, 151.76112 Google Maps
Horseshoe Beach	1 lane, 21-50 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times (TfNSW record). Harbour beach ramp close to the entrance; the dataset rates it poor.	-32.92160, 151.79133 Google Maps
Stockton Bridge (West Side) Hunter River	1 lane, 11-20 car/trailer spaces, water access: all times (TfNSW record). West side of Stockton Bridge on Kooragang; rated poor.	-32.88318, 151.78343 Google Maps
Tomago Boat Ramp - Hunter Rv North Arm	2 lanes, 51+ car/trailer spaces, water access: all times, pontoon, toilets, fish-cleaning table (TfNSW record). Hunter River North Arm upstream; good parking.	-32.83389, 151.72145 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Newcastle and Stockton in October: mulloway, sand whiting, dusky flathead, Australian salmon 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, Australian salmon, sand and tiger flathead, snapper, Australian bass and estuary perch.

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

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 Newcastle and Stockton

Lower Hunter River (entrance up to the Stockton boat ramp - Dyke Point line, incl. Throsby and Carrington basins): no nets except prawn dip or scoop nets and landing nets.
Hunter River South Channel (Hexham Island down to Walsh Point): no taking of any shellfish.
Hunter River from the Stockton - Dyke Point line up to the Williams River: no hand-hauled, push or scissor prawn nets June to October.
Hunter River above Raymond Terrace and the lower Williams River: no nets or traps except dip or scoop nets, landing nets and bait traps.
Driving on Stockton Beach needs a Worimi Conservation Lands beach vehicle permit (online only).

Marine parks and no-take zones

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

Safety at Newcastle and Stockton

Port of Newcastle: bulk carriers, tugs and strong currents in the harbour entrance; small boats should keep out of the shipping channel when ships move.
Both breakwalls are washed by waves in easterly swell.
Newcastle LGA is not a declared rock-fishing area, but Lake Macquarie LGA (Dudley and Redhead south) is: wear a lifejacket on any ocean rocks.

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

Lake Macquarie (about 22 km south-west)
Port Stephens (about 37 km north-east)
Central Coast and Tuggerah Lakes (about 60 km south-west)
Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury (about 88 km south-west)

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 (Hunter River closures (nets, prawn nets, South Channel shellfish)); dpird.nsw.gov.au (DPIRD Lake Macquarie and Hunter recreational fishing guide); newcastleherald.com.au (Newcastle Herald: mulloway, whiting, bream and flathead at Stockton breakwall); visitnewcastle.com.au (Visit Newcastle beach guide: Nobbys breakwall (Macquarie Pier) and beach access); worimiconservationlands.com (Worimi Conservation Lands beach vehicle permits); nsw.gov.au (Lake Macquarie declared rock-fishing areas map (covers Dudley)); 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.