Pittwater and Frederick Henry Bay fishing spots

Hobart's eastern-shore playground: the shallow Pitt Water estuary, its causeways and jetties, and the long beaches of Frederick Henry Bay from Clifton to Primrose Sands. Australian salmon, mullet, garfish and calamari are the regular targets, with bream in the creeks. It is all shark refuge water, and sand flathead are closed.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

8 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

8 spots: Pittwater and Frederick Henry Bay
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Clifton Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
2. Cremorne pontoon & Pipe Clay entrance	Jetty	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
3. Seven Mile Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
4. Midway Point causeways (McGees Bridge)	Channel	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
5. Lewisham jetty (Jones Bay)	Jetty	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	–
6. Dodges Ferry jetty (Tiger Head Beach)	Jetty	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	–
7. Carlton Beach & Carlton River mouth	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
8. Primrose Sands (Gypsy Bay breakwater)	Breakwall	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	–

1. Clifton Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Surf beach with beach-access car parks.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet and bluethroat and purple wrasse.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Best in light northerlies; southerly swell makes it dangerous. Faces S.
Note: Surf gutters for salmon on metals or baits; wrasse off the rocks at the ends.
Safety: Exposed surf beach with rips: stay out of the gutters.
Zone: Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays Shark Refuge Area (shoreline waters): sharks, skates and rays protected, elephantfish excepted. No marine reserve nearby. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.99020, 147.52880 · Open in Google Maps (position: Clifton Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Cremorne pontoon & Pipe Clay entrance

Type: Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. About 50 m of concrete jetty leading to a floating pontoon, with handrails on both.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet, southern garfish and southern calamari. 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 northerlies; southerlies push swell into the entrance.
Note: Tidal flow past the Pipe Clay Lagoon entrance brings salmon and mullet within casting range; garfish under floats on calm days.
Safety: Wild shellfish alert: do not eat shellfish from Pipe Clay Lagoon.
Zone: Next to the Pipe Clay Lagoon Shark Refuge Area (sharks, skates and rays protected). No marine reserve nearby. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.95990, 147.53630 · Open in Google Maps (position: Cremorne Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Seven Mile Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Long beach with several access points and parking.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet and barracouta.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Best in light northerlies; southerlies bring chop and weed. Faces SSW.
Note: Walk the beach to find salmon schools and gutters; metals and baited paternosters both work.
Safety: Long beach with soft sand and rips; take water and sun protection.
Zone: Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays Shark Refuge Area (shoreline waters): sharks, skates and rays protected, elephantfish excepted. No marine reserve nearby. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.85270, 147.51930 · Open in Google Maps (position: Seven Mile Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Midway Point causeways (McGees Bridge)

Type: Channel · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Bridges and causeways of the Tasman Highway around Midway Point; park well off the road.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream. Also in season: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet and southern garfish.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Fishable in most winds; strong westerlies make casting hard.
Note: Tide pushing through the bridge gaps draws salmon, mullet and bream. Lightly weighted baits or small lures on the current lines.
Safety: Fast highway traffic beside the causeway: never fish from the roadway.
Zone: In or beside the Pitt Water Shark Refuge Area. Orielton Lagoon north of the Sorell causeway is inland water with its own rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.79830, 147.53160 · Open in Google Maps (position: Midway Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Lewisham jetty (Jones Bay)

Type: Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Small timber jetty (about 8 x 4 m) with parking nearby.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet, southern garfish and southern calamari. 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 easterlies; westerlies blow across Pitt Water onto it. Faces W.
Note: Quiet jetty near the Pitt Water mouth: floats for garfish and mullet, and small lures when salmon come through.
Safety: Small jetty with no handrails.
Zone: Pitt Water Shark Refuge Area: sharks, skates and rays protected (elephantfish excepted). No marine reserve nearby. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.82410, 147.60580 · Open in Google Maps (position: Jones Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Dodges Ferry jetty (Tiger Head Beach)

Type: Jetty · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Timber jetty about 35 m long beside the Dodges Ferry boat ramp; give way to boats.
What's good here: In season in October: Australian salmon, southern garfish, yelloweye mullet and southern calamari. Closing soon: southern calamari (closes 15 Oct; closed 15 October to 14 November 2026).
Best tide: Higher tides; the water is shallow around the jetty at low tide (official site note).
Best wind: Most sheltered in easterlies.
Note: Busy ramp jetty at the Pitt Water mouth: cast for salmon on the tide, float baits for garfish, jig squid when the water is clear.
Safety: Boat ramp: keep clear of launching boats.
Zone: Pitt Water Shark Refuge Area: sharks, skates and rays protected (elephantfish excepted). No marine reserve nearby. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.85590, 147.61410 · Open in Google Maps (position: Tiger Head Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Carlton Beach & Carlton River mouth

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Beach access near the surf club; the Carlton River mouth is at the eastern end, between the club and Carlton Bluff.
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream. Also in season: Australian salmon and yelloweye mullet.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Best in northerlies; southerlies blow onshore. Faces S.
Note: Salmon in the beach gutters and around the river mouth; bream push up the Carlton River.
Safety: River mouth currents and surf rips.
Zone: Frederick Henry Bay shoreline Shark Refuge Area; the Carlton River above its mouth is also a refuge with net bans. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.87240, 147.63430 · Open in Google Maps (position: Carlton Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Primrose Sands (Gypsy Bay breakwater)

Type: Breakwall · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. A 50 m right-angled breakwater beside the Gypsy Bay boat ramp with a light at the end; parking nearby.
What's good here: In season in October: southern calamari, Australian salmon, southern garfish and yelloweye mullet. 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 north-easterlies; south-westerlies blow onto the wall. Faces SW.
Note: Squid over the weed beds near the wall, salmon on metals and garfish under floats.
Safety: No path on top of the rock wall: watch your footing.
Zone: Frederick Henry and Norfolk Bays Shark Refuge Area (shoreline waters): sharks, skates and rays protected, elephantfish excepted. No marine reserve nearby. Guide only, not for navigation: check fishing.tas.gov.au.
Map: -42.89970, 147.68260 · Open in Google Maps (position: Gypsy Bay, 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 Pittwater and Frederick Henry Bay in October: black bream, gummy shark 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: black bream, gummy shark and sea-run brown trout.

Also in season: Australian salmon, yelloweye mullet, southern garfish, southern calamari, barracouta, bluethroat and purple wrasse, 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: 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 Pittwater and Frederick Henry Bay

Sand flathead closed (south-eastern zone, since 1 Mar 2026): none kept or held on the water.
Pitt Water, Pipe Clay Lagoon and Frederick Henry Bay are Shark Refuge Areas: no taking or targeting sharks, skates or rays (elephantfish excepted).
Wild shellfish health alert (Oct 2026): do not eat recreationally harvested shellfish from Pipe Clay Lagoon.
Orielton Lagoon (north of the Sorell causeway) is inland 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.

Marine parks and no-take zones

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

Safety at Pittwater and Frederick Henry Bay

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.
Pitt Water is shallow with drying sandbanks: boats and kayaks can be stranded as the tide falls.
Frederick Henry Bay chops up fast in strong south-westerlies.

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

Hobart and the Derwent (about 20 km west)
Tasman Peninsula and Dunalley (about 28 km south-east)
Bruny Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel (about 46 km south-west)
Swansea, Coles Bay and Great Oyster Bay (about 94 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 (Cremorne Narrows, McGees Bridge, Lewisham, Carlton River, Primrose Sands), species, refuge rules, shellfish alert); fishing.tas.gov.au (Shark Refuge Areas); fishing.tas.gov.au (South-eastern sand flathead closure); health.tas.gov.au (Wild shellfish health alerts (Pipe Clay Lagoon)); fishing.tas.gov.au (Inland waters (Orielton Lagoon)); services.thelist.tas.gov.au (LIST WildFisheries layers used for the zone check and jetty descriptions (Cremorne, Lewisham, Dodges Ferry, Gypsy Bay)); mast.tas.gov.au (MAST lifejacket rules and advice).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.