Fishing in Jervis Bay National Park

Jervis Bay sits on the New South Wales south coast, roughly four hours from Sydney, where a large, sheltered bay opens to the Tasman Sea.

The national park wraps around much of the bay's southern and western shoreline, taking in ocean-facing headlands, calm bay beaches, and several small creeks and waterways that drain into the bay.

Fishing here spans estuary, beach, rock, and open water — all within a short distance of each other. The bay itself is the main draw.

Flathead, bream, and whiting work the sandy shallows and estuary edges year-round, with the bay beaches producing whiting and bream on worms, pipis, and soft plastics.

Murrays Beach, inside the park, has a boat ramp and a wharf that gives access to both the sheltered inner bay and the open water beyond. Yakkas, slimies, and calamari are reliable bait options on the inside; pelagics move through on the outside.

Summer — January through March — brings black marlin into the bay to feed. The land-based game fishing along the headlands draws serious attention during this window, with fish to significant size taken from the rocks.

It gets crowded on weekends and the fishing is technical, but few places on the coast offer that kind of opportunity from shore. Moona Moona Creek and Coonemia Creek are small waterways that run through the park and reach the bay.

St Georges Basin, just outside the park boundary, is a large estuary known for flathead and bream. Because the park sits within the broader Jervis Bay Marine Park, zoning applies.

Sanctuary zones and no-take areas exist within the bay — the FishSmart app shows current zone boundaries and what's permitted where. A NSW fishing licence is required.

All aquatic invertebrates and species on rock platforms are protected inside the park, so bring your own bait. Spearfishing is prohibited, and jet skis are not permitted in park waters.

Check current rules with the park before you go, as zone boundaries and closures are subject to change. The bay rewards patience and local knowledge.

The water is clear, the fish are pressured in the popular spots, and the rules exist for good reason — this is one of the more intact marine environments on the east coast.