Bynoe Harbour and Dundee fishing spots

A big estuary system south-west of Darwin with dozens of mangrove creeks, inlets and deep holes, plus the Dundee coast on Fog Bay. Bynoe is known for barra, threadfin, mangrove jack, pikey bream and mud crabs inside, and black jewfish in its holes; the islands and reefs outside hold mackerel, trevally and reef fish. Dundee is the easiest bluewater from Darwin.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

8 spots here: 2 fished from land and 6 reached only by boat or kayak, plus 3 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our Top End (Darwin-Kakadu) species list for the Northern Territory. 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: Bynoe Harbour and Dundee
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Crab Claw Island	Island	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	no-take zone nearby
2. Bynoe Harbour main channel	Channel	Boat	Bay, estuary or river	–
3. Milne Inlet	Estuary	Boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	no-take zone nearby
4. Mackenzie Arm	Estuary	Boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
5. Indian Island	Island	Boat	Bay, estuary or river	no-take zone nearby
6. Bass Reef	Rocks	Boat	Offshore	–
7. Native Point (Dundee Beach)	Headland	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	–
8. Fog Bay reefs (Dundee coast)	Bay	Boat	Ocean coast	no-take zone nearby

1. Crab Claw Island

Type: Island · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Bynoe Harbour Access Road to Crab Claw Island, which has a ramp, camping and boat hire.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, mangrove jack, black jewfish and golden snapper. Also in season: king threadfin and mud crab.
Best tide: Run-out tide at creek mouths and drains; neaps for the deeper holes.
Best wind: Inside the harbour it is fishable in most winds; strong south-easterlies chop up the open reaches.
Note: Base on the eastern side of Bynoe Harbour with creeks, inlets and holes nearby. Cast the mangrove edges for barra and jacks; drop on the deep holes for jewfish on the slack.
Safety: Saltwater crocodiles: stay at least 5 m back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Big tides drain inlets and creeks: watch your depth. Box jellyfish and Irukandji, most likely 1 Oct to 1 Jun but possible all year: stay out of the water.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. No marine park. On the Kenbi access map, Knife Island (about 2.5 km north-west) and Crocodile Island (about 3 km north) are closed to the public, including fishing their intertidal zone, and the Pioneer Beach shore has sacred sites with no access. Guide only, not for navigation: check irp.cdn-website.com map (PDF).
Map: -12.71270, 130.62300 · Open in Google Maps (position: Crab Claw Island, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Bynoe Harbour main channel

Type: Channel · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat. Launch at Crab Claw Island or Milne Inlet.
What's good here: Peak in October: black jewfish and golden snapper. Also in season: king threadfin, blue threadfin, queenfish and trevally.
Best tide: Neap tides and the slack water for the deep holes; channel edges as the tide turns.
Best wind: Light to moderate winds; south-easterlies against the tide make the main channel lumpy.
Note: Deep channels and holes known for black jewfish, with threadfin and golden snapper on the edges. Fish the slack with jigs or soft vibes and move off once the tide runs.
Safety: Strong tidal currents in the channel. Reef fish from deeper than 10 m rarely survive release. Saltwater crocodiles: stay at least 5 m back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water.
Zone: No marine park or reef fish protection area in the harbour. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map: -12.68210, 130.55820 · Open in Google Maps (position: Bynoe Harbour, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Milne Inlet

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat and kayak. NT Government ramp on Milne Road at the head of the inlet.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi and mangrove jack. Also in season: king threadfin, pikey bream and mud crab.
Best tide: Run-out tide at the drains; the ramp needs about 3 m or more.
Best wind: Sheltered; fishable in most winds.
Note: Mangrove inlet in the south-east of Bynoe Harbour. Small hardbodies and plastics around snags for barra, jacks and pikey bream; crab pots in the side creeks.
Safety: Saltwater crocodiles: stay at least 5 m back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. The ramp and creek dry out at low tide.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. No marine park or protection area. Knife Island, about 2 km north at the outer end of the inlet, is closed to the public on the Kenbi access map (no landing and no fishing its intertidal zone). Guide only, not for navigation: check irp.cdn-website.com map (PDF).
Map: -12.71730, 130.60910 · Open in Google Maps (position: Milne Inlet, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Mackenzie Arm

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat and kayak. By boat from Milne Inlet or Crab Claw Island.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi and mangrove jack. Also in season: king threadfin, pikey bream and mud crab.
Best tide: Run-out tide; neap tides for clearer water in the upper creeks.
Best wind: Sheltered.
Note: Southern arm of the harbour with many small creeks and drains. Work snags and creek junctions with lures on the falling tide.
Safety: Saltwater crocodiles: stay at least 5 m back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Narrow creeks drain completely on spring lows.
Zone: No marine park or protection area here. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map: -12.70000, 130.51670 · Open in Google Maps (position: Mackenzie Arm, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Indian Island

Type: Island · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat. By boat from Crab Claw Island.
What's good here: Peak in October: golden snapper, black jewfish and barramundi. Also in season: trevally, queenfish and Spanish mackerel.
Best tide: Tide changes around the island edges; neaps for bottom fishing.
Best wind: Light winds; it is more exposed than the inner harbour.
Note: Island at the outer harbour with reefy edges; a stepping stone to the islands and reefs further out. Cast for trevally and queenfish on the tide, bottom-fish the edges for snapper.
Safety: Sacred sites with no access on the northern beach, Herbert and Spencer points and the southern end: check the Kenbi map before landing. Strong currents at the harbour mouth. Saltwater crocodiles: stay at least 5 m back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. Kenbi access map: the northern beach, Herbert Point, Spencer Point and two sites near the southern end of Indian Island are sacred sites with no access or fishing, as are Quail Island and Djajalbit Islet. Fish the open waters and stay off those shores. Guide only, not for navigation: check irp.cdn-website.com map (PDF).
Map: -12.63100, 130.50210 · Open in Google Maps (position: Indian Island, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Bass Reef

Type: Rocks · offshore (boat)
Access: Boat. Open-water run west from Bynoe Harbour or Dundee.
What's good here: Peak in October: golden snapper and coral trout. Also in season: Spanish mackerel, trevally, queenfish and cobia.
Best tide: Neap tides; troll the up-current edge as the tide runs.
Best wind: Calm to light winds only: open water.
Note: Bluewater reef known around Darwin as a dry-season Spanish mackerel hot spot. Troll lures or floating baits along the reef edge; bottom-fish the slack for snapper and trout.
Safety: Open water a long way from help: carry an EPIRB and check the marine forecast. Reef fish from deeper than 10 m rarely survive release.
Zone: Outside the protection areas, but the Lorna Shoal Protection Area (no fishing of any kind) starts about 6.5 km north. Check your position before stopping. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map: -12.49580, 130.33330 · Open in Google Maps (position: Bass Reef, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Native Point (Dundee Beach)

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Dundee Beach is about two hours by road from Darwin; NT Government ramp at Native Point with tractor launching offered locally.
What's good here: Peak in October: black jewfish, golden snapper and barramundi. Also in season: blue threadfin, queenfish and trevally.
Best tide: Shore: the top of a big tide for blue threadfin. Boat: neap tides for the reefs and rocky points.
Best wind: Easterly and south-easterly winds blow offshore; westerlies make the coast rough. Faces W.
Note: Rocky point at Dundee Beach. Cast from the beach at the top of the tide for blue threadfin; small boats fish nearby rocky points and reefs, where big jewfish are caught close in.
Safety: Box jellyfish and Irukandji, most likely 1 Oct to 1 Jun but possible all year: stay out of the water. Saltwater crocodiles: stay at least 5 m back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Big tides: shore anglers can be cut off on rock bars.
Zone: Outside any closed area. The Aboriginal coast from the Finniss River closure line (about 19 km south) to the Peron Islands is closed to recreational fishing. Guide only, not for navigation: check irp.cdn-website.com map (PDF).
Map: -12.71460, 130.34710 · Open in Google Maps (position: Native Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Fog Bay reefs (Dundee coast)

Type: Bay · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Boat. Launch at the Dundee Beach ramp (about 2.8 m tide or more).
What's good here: Peak in October: black jewfish, golden snapper, coral trout and red emperor. Also in season: Spanish mackerel, cobia and queenfish.
Best tide: Neap tides for bottom fishing; time launches and returns with the tide at Dundee.
Best wind: Mornings in the dry season before the sea breeze; calm build-up days.
Note: Reefs and rocky points off the Dundee coast. Jewfish and golden snapper close in; out wider, coral trout, red emperor, cobia and Spanish mackerel.
Safety: Open water: carry safety gear and check the marine forecast. Do not cross the Finniss River closure line into closed Aboriginal waters. Reef fish from deeper than 10 m rarely survive release.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. The southern shore of Fog Bay, from the Finniss River closure line to the Peron Islands (NLC Zone 3), is closed to recreational fishing: stay out of its intertidal waters and creeks. Guide only, not for navigation: check irp.cdn-website.com map (PDF).
Map: -12.83250, 130.28270 · Open in Google Maps (position: Fog Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

3 public boat ramps are listed for Bynoe Harbour and Dundee, with positions from Composite Gazetteer of Australia. Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Bynoe Harbour and Dundee
Ramp	Notes	Position
Milne Inlet boat ramp	NT Government ramp on Milne Road, Bynoe Harbour; usable above about 3 m.	-12.77960, 130.62250 Google Maps
Crab Claw Island boat ramp	Ramp at Crab Claw Island on the eastern side of Bynoe Harbour. Not on the NT Government ramp list: check access, fees and tide limits locally.	-12.70580, 130.62220 Google Maps
Dundee Beach boat ramp	NT Government ramp at Native Point (Dundee Lodge); usable above about 2.8 m. Sand builds up on the ramp, so check conditions; tractor launching is available locally.	-12.71780, 130.34920 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Bynoe Harbour and Dundee in October: golden snapper, barramundi, black jewfish, mangrove jack and 7 more. Of the 24 species our Top End (Darwin-Kakadu) list has for this part of the coast, 11 peak in October 2026 and 12 more are in season.

Peak in October: golden snapper, barramundi, black jewfish, mangrove jack, coral trout, red emperor, saddletail snapper, crimson snapper, grass emperor, Moses perch and tuskfish.

Also in season: queenfish, king threadfin, trevally, Spanish mackerel, mud crab, blue threadfin, pikey bream, cobia, estuary cod, grey mackerel, longtail tuna and mackerel tuna.

Out of season in October: banana prawns (best Jan–Apr).

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: Northern Territory's own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

No recreational fishing licence or fee for anyone in NT waters (checked 9 Oct 2026). Separate permits may be needed to enter Aboriginal land or intertidal waters over it. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Northern Territory's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Bynoe Harbour and Dundee

Kenbi land (Cox Peninsula and Bynoe Harbour): no permit is needed to fish the intertidal, reef and beach areas marked open on the Kenbi map; use only the roads and tracks it shows.
No access or fishing at Quail Island, Djajalbit Islet, Two Fella Creek, Ida Bay, Crocodile and Knife islands or the yellow sacred sites (including parts of Indian Island); do not anchor or land at Roche, Middle and Simms reefs.
NLC Zone 3: the Finniss River coast and Peron Islands (including the Little Finniss), from the Finniss River closure line south, are closed to recreational fishing.
Lorna Shoal Protection Area (west of Bynoe Harbour) is closed to all fishing; travel through only.
No recreational fishing licence is needed in the NT.

Marine parks and no-take zones

A no-take zone starts close to Crab Claw Island, Milne Inlet, Indian Island and Fog Bay reefs (Dundee coast): each one's zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Bynoe Harbour and Dundee

Saltwater crocodiles in every creek and on the beaches: keep 5 m back from the edge and never wade.
Box jellyfish and Irukandji are most likely from 1 October to 1 June.
Large tides drain the harbour's inlets and the Dundee ramp: plan launches and returns around the tide.
Bass Reef and the Dundee coast are open water a long way from help: check the marine forecast and carry an EPIRB.
Crocodile country: saltwater crocodiles live in rivers, estuaries, beaches and around islands here. Stay well back from the water's edge, never clean fish at the water, and don't stand on logs or overhanging banks. More.
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and irukandji) can be in these waters, mostly in the warmer months: cover up if you wade or swim, and carry vinegar. More.

Northern Territory: official links

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

Boating: Northern Territory boating safety and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Carry one approved PFD for each person on board in all waters. The NT minimum safety equipment table sets no general wear rule; wearing one is strongly advised.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Coast Radio Darwin (VKD 999).

Marine parks and closed areas: NT fishing rules for specific areas (aquatic life reserves, Kakadu), Reef fish protection areas, Fishing on Aboriginal land (intertidal waters, permits), Garig Gunak Barlu National Park / Cobourg Marine Park, Kakadu National Park (Parks Australia) and Australian Marine Parks (North network).

Northern Territory's 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

Darwin Harbour and the city (about 47 km north-east)
Shoal Bay and Buffalo Creek (about 72 km north-east)
Daly River (about 89 km south)
Mary River and Shady Camp (about 134 km east)

Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in the Northern Territory · 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 and ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), 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: northernterritory.com (Bynoe Harbour species, deep holes for jewfish, Indian Island, Bass Reef mackerel; Dundee coast species and tractor launching); nt.gov.au (No permit needed for Cox Peninsula and Bynoe Harbour intertidal, reef and beach areas; sacred sites); irp.cdn-website.com (Kenbi access map: prohibited islands and beaches, open tracks); irp.cdn-website.com (NLC Zone 3 closed area and the Finniss River closure line coordinates); irp.cdn-website.com (Finniss coast compliance guide); legislation.nt.gov.au (Lorna Shoal Protection Area boundary (Schedule 1AB)); nt.gov.au (Milne Inlet and Dundee Beach ramps and tidal access); becrocwise.nt.gov.au (Crocodile safety).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.