Catch Signal

Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel fishing spots

A sheltered waterway of jetties, small bays and salmon-farm country between Margate, Dover and Bruny Island. Calamari, Australian salmon, barracouta and mullet are the shore staples, with morwong, gurnard and (outside the refuge) school and gummy sharks by boat. Sand flathead are closed here, sharks are protected, and two marine reserves are strictly no fishing.

Updated

10 spots here, all fished from land. Seasons follow our Hobart & South-East species list for Tasmania. 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

10 spots: Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel
SpotTypeFished fromWaterMarine park
1. Dru Point jetties, MargateJettyLand-based and kayakBay, estuary or river–
2. Kettering foreshore & marinaBayLand-based, boat and kayakBay, estuary or river–
3. Woodbridge jetty (Peppermint Bay)JettyLand-basedBay, estuary or river–
4. Middleton breakwall (Long Bay)BreakwallLand-based and boatBay, estuary or riverCentral Channel Marine Conservation Area
5. Gordon jetty (Three Hut Point)JettyLand-based and boatBay, estuary or riverNinepin Point Marine Nature Reserve; no-take zone nearby
6. Dover jetty & Port EsperanceJettyLand-based and boatBay, estuary or river–
7. Dennes Point jetty, North BrunyJettyLand-basedBay, estuary or riverTinderbox Marine Nature Reserve; no-take zone nearby
8. Roberts Point (Bruny ferry terminal)HeadlandLand-basedBay, estuary or riverRoberts Point Marine Conservation Area
9. Adventure Bay jetty, South BrunyJettyLand-based and boatOcean coast–
10. Cloudy Bay beach, South BrunyBeachLand-basedOcean coast–

1. Dru Point jetties, Margate

Type
Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based and kayak. Two 25 m jetties with ladders (no handrails) in a park at Margate; toilets and parking.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet, southern garfish and barracouta. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026). Out of season now: Gould's squid.
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Sheltered in westerly and north-westerly winds; south-easterlies blow straight up North West Bay. Faces ESE.
Note
Easy family jetties: jig the weed edges for calamari at dawn and dusk, float baits for garfish and mullet, and spin metals when salmon or couta push into North West Bay.
Safety
No handrails: keep children back from the edge.
Zone
Next to the Stinkpot Bay and D'Entrecasteaux Channel Shark Refuge Areas: no taking sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted). Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve is about 4.5 km east - no fishing there. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.02690, 147.27910 · Open in Google Maps (position: Dru Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

2. Kettering foreshore & marina

Type
Bay · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based, boat and kayak. Foreshore around Kettering Point and Little Oyster Cove next to the Bruny Island ferry terminal and marina.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, barracouta, Australian salmon, bluethroat and purple wrasse and yelloweye mullet. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026). Out of season now: Gould's squid.
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Sheltered in westerlies; easterly and north-easterly winds chop up the Channel. Faces E.
Note
Busy boating hub for the middle Channel. From shore work squid jigs and small lures; by boat drift the drop-offs for barracouta and calamari and troll for salmon.
Safety
Busy ferry and marina traffic: keep clear of the ferry berth and moorings.
Zone
In the D'Entrecasteaux Channel Shark Refuge Area: no taking sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.13040, 147.26060 · Open in Google Maps (position: Kettering Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

3. Woodbridge jetty (Peppermint Bay)

Type
Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based. Public jetty into deep water on Peppermint Bay; limited parking. Tour boats berth here, so give way.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, barracouta, yelloweye mullet and southern garfish. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026). Out of season now: Gould's squid.
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Best in westerlies; open to easterly chop across the Channel. Faces E.
Note
Deep water close to the jetty suits squid jigs, small metals for salmon and couta, and lightly weighted baits for mullet and garfish.
Safety
Give way to berthing tour and cruise boats.
Zone
In the D'Entrecasteaux Channel Shark Refuge Area: no taking sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.15890, 147.24360 · Open in Google Maps (position: Peppermint Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

4. Middleton breakwall (Long Bay)

Type
Breakwall · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based and boat. Concrete-topped rock breakwall beside the Middleton boat ramp; toilets about 30 m away.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, southern garfish, yelloweye mullet, bluethroat and purple wrasse and barracouta. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Sheltered in westerlies; easterlies push chop onto the wall. Faces E.
Note
A small-town wall facing Bruny: squid over the weed, salmon and couta on lures, and wrasse tight against the rocks.
Safety
Rock wall can be slippery; give way to boats at the ramp.
Zone
Inside the Central Channel Marine Conservation Area, where fishing is allowed under the normal rules, and in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel Shark Refuge Area: no taking sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted). Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve (no fishing) is about 5.7 km south-west. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.23320, 147.25940 · Open in Google Maps (position: Long Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

5. Gordon jetty (Three Hut Point)

Type
Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based and boat. Large timber jetty into deep water with a gravel car park.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse, southern garfish and bearded rock cod. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Best in westerlies; easterlies blow onto the jetty. Faces E.
Note
One of the Channel's better deep-water jetties: squid by day and dusk, cod and wrasse on baits near the bottom, salmon and couta on lures.
Safety
Deep water off the end: supervise children.
Zone
No-take zone nearby. Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve (no fishing of any kind) starts about 1.8 km south-west: don't drift or fish into it. The jetty is in the Channel Shark Refuge Area, beside the Central Channel Marine Conservation Area (fishing allowed). Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.26650, 147.24120 · Open in Google Maps (position: Three Hut Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

6. Dover jetty & Port Esperance

Type
Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based and boat. Large concrete jetty with several fingers off the Dover foreshore; working wharf, so give way to boats unloading.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse and southern garfish. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Sheltered in westerlies; south-easterlies roll in from the lower Channel. Faces E.
Note
Far-south jetty with deep water: calamari, salmon and couta are the regulars, with wrasse around the piles and garfish under floats.
Safety
Working commercial wharf: keep lines clear of boats.
Zone
In the D'Entrecasteaux Channel Shark Refuge Area (sharks, skates and rays protected, elephantfish excepted). The Esperance River and Stringers Cove have their own net restrictions. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.31460, 147.02650 · Open in Google Maps (position: Dover Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

7. Dennes Point jetty, North Bruny

Type
Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based. Concrete jetty with handrails and seating beside Jetty Beach; parking on site.
What's good here
In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, barracouta, southern garfish and bluethroat and purple wrasse. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Most comfortable in light winds; exposed to northerlies down the Derwent mouth.
Note
A comfortable jetty at Bruny's northern tip with deep water in reach: squid jigs over the weed, metals for salmon and couta.
Safety
Jetty Beach is shallow and sheltered; still watch children on the jetty.
Zone
No-take zone nearby. Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve (no fishing of any kind) is about 1.4 km west across the channel; don't fish or drift into it. This spot is in the Channel Shark Refuge Area. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.06660, 147.35140 · Open in Google Maps (position: Jetty Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

8. Roberts Point (Bruny ferry terminal)

Type
Headland · bay, estuary or river
Access
Land-based. Rocks and foreshore beside the North Bruny ferry terminal; keep clear of the ferry ramp and queue.
What's good here
In season in October: Australian salmon, barracouta, southern calamari and bluethroat and purple wrasse. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026). Out of season now: Gould's squid.
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Sheltered in easterlies; westerlies blow straight across the Channel onto it. Faces W.
Note
Handy while waiting for the ferry: cast metals for salmon and couta in the current and jig the weed edges for squid.
Safety
Slippery rocks and ferry wash: stay well back from the ramp.
Zone
The water off the point is the Roberts Point Marine Conservation Area, where fishing is allowed under the normal rules. In the D'Entrecasteaux Channel Shark Refuge Area: no taking sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted). Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.14500, 147.28570 · Open in Google Maps (position: Roberts Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

9. Adventure Bay jetty, South Bruny

Type
Jetty · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access
Land-based and boat. Jetty and breakwater about 20 m from a large sealed car park at the south end of Adventure Bay.
What's good here
Peak in October: gummy shark. Also in season: southern calamari, Australian salmon, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse and jackass morwong. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Sheltered in south-westerly and westerly winds; north-easterlies and easterlies blow straight in. Faces NE.
Note
Squid are the main jetty catch with salmon some days. Boats head out toward Storm Bay for morwong and gummy sharks (outside the refuge) in calm weather.
Safety
Outside the bay the water is open Storm Bay: check swell and wind and log on before heading out.
Zone
Outside the Channel Shark Refuge Area and away from any marine reserve. Sand flathead closed (south-eastern zone). Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.36610, 147.35080 · Open in Google Maps (position: Kadens Corner, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

10. Cloudy Bay beach, South Bruny

Type
Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access
Land-based. Gravel road into South Bruny National Park (parks pass needed); walk onto the beach.
What's good here
Peak in October: gummy shark. Also in season: Australian salmon and bluethroat and purple wrasse.
Best tide
Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind
Fishable in light northerlies; southerly swell and wind make it dangerous. Faces S.
Note
Southern Ocean surf beach: read the gutters for salmon, fish baits at night for gummy sharks (outside the refuge areas), and wrasse off the rocky ends.
Safety
Exposed surf beach with rips and big swell: never wade out into the gutters.
Zone
Outside the shark refuge areas and marine reserves. Cloudy Bay Lagoon behind the beach has its own restrictions - check the area rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map
-43.44430, 147.24870 · Open in Google Maps (position: Cloudy Beaches, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

No Tasmanian boat ramp dataset with an open licence was found, so we don't list ramps here yet; the spots' access notes say where a ramp sits beside a jetty.

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel in October: gummy shark, black bream and sea-run brown trout. Of the 26 species our Hobart & South-East list has for this part of the coast, 3 peak in October 2026 and 11 more are in season.

Peak in October: gummy shark, black bream and sea-run brown trout.

Also in season: Australian salmon, southern calamari, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse, southern garfish, yelloweye mullet, jackass morwong, bearded rock cod, tiger flathead, greenback flounder and snapper.

In closed season now (no take): southern sand flathead (since 1 March 2026, until further notice); striped trumpeter (1 September to 31 October).

Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).

Out of season in October: Gould's squid (best Feb–May); yellowtail kingfish (best Dec–Apr); southern bluefin tuna (best Mar–Jun); albacore (best Jan–Apr); blue warehou (best Dec–May); elephantfish (best Dec–Mar); shortfin mako shark (best Dec–Mar).

Seen now and then, so not rated: southern bluespotted flathead, silver trevally and King George whiting.

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

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

Rod and line (incl. squid jigs) in marine waters: no licence. Licence for rock lobster pot/ring/dive, abalone, scallop, set line and graball, mullet or beach seine nets: 1 Nov 2026-31 Oct 2027 $68.60 first licence, $9.80 each extra; concession $39.20 (Rules Update, 21 Sep 2026). Until 31 Oct 2026 the 2025-26 fees apply ($66.85 first licence, $9.55 each extra, concession $38.20); a rock lobster licence bought before 12 Oct 2026 expires 31 Oct 2026. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Tasmania's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel

  • Sand flathead closed in the whole Channel and around Bruny (south-eastern zone, since 1 Mar 2026): none kept or held on the water.
  • Calamari and squid closed 15 Oct-14 Nov 2026 here (south-east closure): no squid jig on a line.
  • Garfish closed 15 Nov-14 Dec 2026 in southern waters.
  • The D'Entrecasteaux Channel is a Shark Refuge Area: no taking or targeting sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted).
  • No fishing at all in the Tinderbox and Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserves.
  • Scallops: the Channel is closed to scallop take; check wild shellfish health alerts before collecting other shellfish.
  • Fishing inside marine farm leases is not allowed without the leaseholder's permission.

Marine parks and no-take zones

The zone notes here name Central Channel Marine Conservation Area, Ninepin Point Marine Nature Reserve, Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve and Roberts Point Marine Conservation Area. A no-take zone starts close to Gordon jetty (Three Hut Point) and Dennes Point jetty, North Bruny: each one's zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel

  • Tasmanian water is cold all year: a fall in quickly brings on cold shock, so wear a lifejacket on rocks, breakwalls and in small boats.
  • Storm Bay and the open coast off South Bruny can turn quickly: check wind and swell, carry a VHF and log on with Tas Maritime Radio.
  • Salmon farms and shellfish leases dot the Channel and Huon: keep clear of pens and marker buoys.

Tasmania: official links

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

Boating: Tasmania boating safety, crossing coastal bars and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Must wear in a recreational motor boat or tender under 6m while under power; under-12s in any motor boat under power (not in a cabin); and in kayaks, canoes, SUPs and dinghies.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Tas Maritime Radio (volunteer coast station network). Log in with Tas Maritime Radio: give your location and intentions and advise when you're back. Radio room staffed 0700-1900 daily; after hours for urgent/emergency calls.

Marine parks and closed areas: Tasmanian marine reserves (state waters), Fishing Tas app / area restrictions and Australian Marine Parks (six around Tasmania).

  • Cold water: Sea temperatures are 8-18 C, and a fall into cold water makes drowning much more likely. Wear a lifejacket. More.

Tasmania'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

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

Sources and checked dates