Hobart and the Derwent fishing spots

The Derwent estuary runs right through Hobart, with headlands, breakwaters and jetties within minutes of the city. Black bream and sea-run trout rule the upper estuary, Australian salmon, barracouta, mullet and silver trevally roam the middle reaches, and summer brings kingfish under the headlands. Sand flathead are closed, sharks are protected and Derwent bream should not be eaten.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

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: Hobart and the Derwent
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Old Beach foreshore	Estuary	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	River Derwent Marine Conservation Area
2. Wilkinsons Point, Glenorchy	Headland	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
3. Dowsing Point & Bowen Bridge	Headland	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
4. Tasman Bridge (Montagu Point)	Rocks	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
5. Pavilion Point breakwater (Regatta Grounds)	Breakwall	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
6. Bellerive Bluff (Kangaroo Bluff)	Headland	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
7. Blinking Billy Point, Sandy Bay	Rocks	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
8. Crayfish Point, Taroona	Headland	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	Taroona Waters Reserve and Research Area; no-take zone nearby
9. Kingston Beach & Browns River	Beach	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
10. Opossum Bay jetty	Jetty	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	Opossum Bay Marine Conservation Area

1. Old Beach foreshore

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Foreshore reserve and the Old Beach boat ramp on the eastern shore of the upper Derwent.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream and sea-run brown trout. Also in season: yelloweye mullet and Australian salmon.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in easterlies; westerlies blow across from Claremont. Faces W.
Note: Classic upper-estuary bream water: soft plastics or crab and prawn baits along rocky edges and drop-offs. Sea-run trout chase whitebait from late winter into spring.
Safety: Do not eat bream from the Derwent (heavy metals); release them.
Zone: Derwent River Bream Fishing Area North (inland water): bream and sea fish need no licence (up to two rods) but trout need an Inland Fisheries Service licence and the inland season applies. Also inside the River Derwent Marine Conservation Area, where fishing is allowed under the normal rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.77050, 147.26380 · Open in Google Maps (position: Old Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Wilkinsons Point, Glenorchy

Type: Headland · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Large concrete platform with shelter and toilets nearby; about a 400 m walk from parking.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream and sea-run brown trout. Also in season: Australian salmon and yelloweye mullet.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in westerlies; easterlies blow onto the platform. Faces E.
Note: Official shore fishing platform in the northern suburbs: bream on baits and soft plastics, salmon and mullet when schools move through, trout in spring.
Safety: Do not eat Derwent bream (public health advice): release them.
Zone: Next to the Derwent River Bream Fishing Area South and inside the Derwent Shark Refuge Area (sharks, skates and rays protected). Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.81940, 147.28520 · Open in Google Maps (position: Wilkinsons Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Dowsing Point & Bowen Bridge

Type: Headland · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Rocky shoreline around Dowsing Point on the western shore by the Bowen Bridge.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream and sea-run brown trout. Also in season: Australian salmon and yelloweye mullet. Now and then: silver trevally.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in westerlies; easterlies make the eastern face choppy. Faces E.
Note: Bridge pylons and rocky drop-offs hold bream year round; salmon and trevally move through on the tide and trout chase bait in spring.
Safety: Uneven, slippery rocks: wear grippy shoes.
Zone: In the River Derwent Shark Refuge Area (no taking sharks, skates or rays except elephantfish). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.82290, 147.30520 · Open in Google Maps (position: Dowsings Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Tasman Bridge (Montagu Point)

Type: Rocks · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Rocky foreshore at Montagu Point under the eastern end of the bridge; an old concrete platform under the bridge is awkward to reach.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream. Also in season: Australian salmon, barracouta and yelloweye mullet. Out of season now: yellowtail kingfish. Now and then: silver trevally.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in easterlies; westerlies blow across the river at you. Faces WSW.
Note: The summer kingfish run reaches the bridge: live baits, stickbaits or soft plastics near the pylons. Salmon, trevally and bream are the rest-of-year targets.
Safety: Steep, slippery rocks: wear grippy shoes and a lifejacket. Stay off the old bridge platform in rough weather.
Zone: In the River Derwent Shark Refuge Area (no taking sharks, skates or rays except elephantfish). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.86460, 147.35100 · Open in Google Maps (position: Montagu Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Pavilion Point breakwater (Regatta Grounds)

Type: Breakwall · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Short rock breakwater (about 30 m) reached by a concrete path from the Queens Domain; flat gravel top with a light at the shore end.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream. Also in season: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet and barracouta. Now and then: silver trevally.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in westerlies; easterlies blow onto it. Faces E.
Note: City-side wall that is easy to reach: spin small metals for salmon and couta, or float baits for mullet and trevally.
Safety: Rocks either side of the path are slippery.
Zone: In the River Derwent Shark Refuge Area (no taking sharks, skates or rays except elephantfish). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.86410, 147.33410 · Open in Google Maps (position: Pavilion Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Bellerive Bluff (Kangaroo Bluff)

Type: Headland · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Rocky headland below the old fort at Bellerive; the long Bellerive pier (handrails) is a short walk away in Kangaroo Bay.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, barracouta and bluethroat and purple wrasse. Out of season now: yellowtail kingfish. Now and then: silver trevally.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in easterlies and north-easterlies; south-westerlies blow straight onto it. Faces WSW.
Note: Headland water where salmon and couta push bait against the rocks, with kingfish in summer. The nearby pier suits families.
Safety: Rock ledge: slippery when wet; wear a lifejacket.
Zone: In the River Derwent Shark Refuge Area (no taking sharks, skates or rays except elephantfish). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.88140, 147.36750 · Open in Google Maps (position: Kangaroo Bluff, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Blinking Billy Point, Sandy Bay

Type: Rocks · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Rocky ledge around a busy headland on the Sandy Bay walking track, reached by a concrete path; not suited to prams or wheelchairs.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse and southern calamari. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026). Out of season now: yellowtail kingfish. Now and then: silver trevally.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in westerlies; easterlies and south-easterlies wash over the ledge. Faces E.
Note: Deep water close in: metals and soft plastics for salmon, couta and summer kingfish; baits in the rocks for wrasse; squid jigs over the weed.
Safety: Rock ledge: wear a lifejacket and grippy shoes; walkers share the path.
Zone: In the River Derwent Shark Refuge Area (no taking sharks, skates or rays except elephantfish). No marine reserve near this spot. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.91420, 147.36040 · Open in Google Maps (position: Blinking Billy Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Crayfish Point, Taroona

Type: Headland · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Point and boat ramp beside Taroona Beach.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse and southern calamari. 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; south-easterlies roll in from the lower Derwent. Faces ESE.
Note: Rod and line is allowed in the Taroona research area. Spin for salmon and couta off the point, jig squid over the weed and fish baits for wrasse.
Safety: Rocky point: slippery; give way at the boat ramp.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. The point is on the edge of the Taroona Waters research area and its 200 m buffer: rod and line fishing is allowed, but no taking abalone or rock lobster, no taking fish by diving, and no spears, nets or setlines. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.95090, 147.35460 · Open in Google Maps (position: Crayfish Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

9. Kingston Beach & Browns River

Type: Beach · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Long sandy beach with parking; the 40-45 m sailing club breakwater is fishable when the club is not using it.
What's good here: Peak in October: sea-run brown trout and black bream. Also in season: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet and southern garfish.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in westerlies; easterlies blow onshore. Faces E.
Note: Salmon and mullet along the beach, garfish under floats, and sea-run trout and bream around the Browns River mouth (bream not for eating).
Safety: Do not eat bream from the Derwent or Browns River. Give way to sailing club boats at the breakwater.
Zone: Kingston Beach and Blackmans Bay Shark Refuge Area; the Browns River above its mouth is a bream fishing area. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.97920, 147.32730 · Open in Google Maps (position: Kingston Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

10. Opossum Bay jetty

Type: Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Two-tier concrete jetty about 50 m long with a bridge to a platform and a handrail; boat ramp alongside.
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). Out of season now: Gould's squid.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Sheltered in easterlies; westerlies blow across the river onto it. Faces W.
Note: Lower-Derwent jetty with clean water: squid jigs over the weed, metals for salmon and couta, and floats for garfish.
Safety: Give way to boats at the ramp; lower tier is slippery.
Zone: Inside the Opossum Bay Marine Conservation Area (spotted handfish habitat), where fishing is allowed under the normal rules, and in the Derwent River Entrance Shark Refuge Area (sharks, skates and rays protected). Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve (no fishing) is about 6.5 km south-west. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.99240, 147.40310 · Open in Google Maps (position: Opossum Bay Beach, 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 Hobart and the Derwent in October: black bream, sea-run brown trout and gummy shark. 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: black bream, sea-run brown trout and gummy shark.

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

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: yellowtail kingfish (best Dec–Apr); Gould's squid (best Feb–May); 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: silver trevally, southern bluespotted flathead 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 Hobart and the Derwent

Sand flathead closed in the Derwent and all south-eastern waters (since 1 Mar 2026): none kept or held on the water.
River Derwent is a Shark Refuge Area: no taking or targeting sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted).
Seafood advice: do not eat Derwent or Browns River bream or Derwent shellfish (incl. Ralphs Bay); limit other Derwent fish to 2 meals a week (1 a week for pregnant or breastfeeding women, women planning a pregnancy and young children).
Above Dogshear Point the Derwent is inland water: trout need an IFS licence; bream need none in the bream fishing area (two rods).
Taroona research area: rod and line allowed, no abalone or rock lobster. Tinderbox Marine Nature Reserve (no fishing) is at the river mouth.
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.

Marine parks and no-take zones

The zone notes here name River Derwent Marine Conservation Area, Taroona Waters Reserve and Research Area and Opossum Bay Marine Conservation Area. A no-take zone starts close to Crayfish Point, Taroona: its zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Hobart and the Derwent

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.
Strong westerlies funnel down the Derwent and can build steep chop quickly, especially against an incoming tide.
Busy shipping and ferries: check MAST guidance before taking a boat under the Tasman Bridge.

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

Pittwater and Frederick Henry Bay (about 20 km east)
Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel (about 37 km south)
Tasman Peninsula and Dunalley (about 46 km east)
Swansea, Coles Bay and Great Oyster Bay (about 105 km north-east)

Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in Tasmania · 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: fishing.tas.gov.au (Popular spots (Dowsing Point, Tasman Bridge, Regatta Grounds, Sandy Bay, Taroona, Kingston, Bellerive Bluff, Opossum Bay, Old Beach), species, kingfish run, refuge and research area); ifs.tas.gov.au (Bream and sea-run trout in the tidal Derwent, Old Beach ramp, shore access, do-not-eat bream advice); derwentestuary.org.au (Derwent seafood consumption advice); fishing.tas.gov.au (Taroona research area: rod and line allowed); fishing.tas.gov.au (Seaward limits, inland waters and bream fishing areas); fishing.tas.gov.au (South-eastern sand flathead closure); fishing.tas.gov.au (Kingfish habits: rocky headlands, often under Australian salmon schools (the run to the Tasman Bridge is on the Derwent hot-spot page)); traveller.exploroz.com (Silver trevally between Droughty Point and the Tasman Bridge; warehou in autumn); services.thelist.tas.gov.au (LIST WildFisheries layers used for the zone check and platform descriptions (Wilkinsons Point, Pavilion Point, Blinking Billy, Opossum Bay, Kingston Beach)); mast.tas.gov.au (MAST lifejacket rules and advice).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.