Lake Cathie/Innes

Saltwater
Estuary

Lake Cathie/Innes

Saltwater
Estuary

Sq. miles: 6.9
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 4

Lake Cathie/Innes is a coastal estuary system located approximately 20 kilometers south of Port Macquarie in New South Wales. It is classified as an ICOLL, or an intermittently closed and open lake or lagoon. This means the entrance to the ocean at Lake Cathie Beach naturally opens and closes over time. The system comprises the lower estuary, which is Crown Land waterway managed by the local council, and the upper sections including Cathie Creek and Lake Innes, which are designated Nature Reserves. The dynamic state of the entrance, alternating between open and closed conditions, is fundamental to the health and ecology of the entire system, influencing water quality, fish populations, and recreational opportunities.

New South Wales licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Cathie/Innes and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Dusky Flathead

Platycephalus fuscus

Luderick

Girella tricuspidata

Sand Whiting

Sillago ciliata

Yellowfin Bream

Acanthopagrus australis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Cathie/Innes. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Key fishing areas are concentrated in the lower, publicly accessible estuary. The area near the Ocean Drive bridge and the channel leading to the ocean entrance are likely productive spots, especially when the lake is open and tidal flow is present. The foreshore areas also provide shore-based access.

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Cathie/Innes

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

New South Wales licenses and regulations

New South Wales Boating Regulations

Official Transport for NSW (NSW Maritime) hub for safety and rules on NSW waterways, including the Boating Handbook, lifejacket and safety-equipment requirements, and navigation and speed rules.

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New South Wales Fishing License

Official Service NSW page for the NSW recreational fishing fee/licence. Anyone fishing NSW waters (fresh or salt) must pay the recreational fishing fee and carry the receipt unless exempt. See the page for current fees and exemptions.

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New South Wales Fishing Regulations

Official NSW DPIRD Fisheries hub for recreational fishing rules, covering saltwater and freshwater bag and size limits, possession limits, gear rules and closures.

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New South Wales Stream Access Laws

Official NSW DPIRD Fisheries Angler Access page - NSW's closest equivalent to a stream-access page. Explains the public right to fish tidal waters, legal stream access via public land, and that crossing private land needs the owner's permission.

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Take Lake Cathie/Innes with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Cathie/Innes to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Cathie/Innes to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Lake Cathie/Innes and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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