See & Do / Fishing / Reef fishing
Darwin Coast
There is a wide range of fishing close to Darwin, offering a large variety of species from mudcrabs to queenfish. Join a blue water charter or hire your own dinghy for the day to explore the coastline’s many natural and artificial reefs.
Black Jewfish
Black Jewfish congregate around wrecks and other rough bottom structures. They are large, powerful fish usually weighing around 10 kilograms but can reach up to 30 kilograms. Jewfish put up a very strong fight and are excellent eating, so catching one is extremely satisfying.
Coral Trout
Coral trout are most plentiful in the waters off Gove Peninsula and East Arnhem Land. Ranging in colour from pink to red to brown, they are a highly prized table fish with white firm flesh and are particularly popular in Chinese cuisine. These fish favour offshore reefs and wrecks and will take lures that are cast or trolled.
Bynoe Harbour
A large body of water to the west of Darwin, Bynoe Harbour offers a variety of fishing experiences including reef fishing. A particularly scenic and tranquil area, it can be reached by road via Crabclaw Island Fisherman’s Village, where there is a boat ramp. Large vessels can get to Bynoe Harbour from Darwin by going around Cox Peninsula.
The Northern Territory’s nutrient-rich reefs attract a kaleidoscope of fish.
The shapes and colours of the diverse species that thrive in the Territory's waterways make them highly desirable catches – and good eating.
Some of the most common reef fish in the Northern Territory are black jewfish, golden snapper and coral trout. Reef fish aren’t just pretty; they’re notoriously plucky - anglers will need cunning brains to outsmart the tricky snapper, and muscles to conquer the powerful black jewfish.
Several artificial reefs have been developed to encourage recreational fishing. The Japanese air raids on Darwin during World War II in 1942 and Cyclone Tracy in 1974, are also responsible for some of the wrecks in Darwin Harbour. These wrecks are now havens for species like golden snapper, cod, moon fish, Spanish flag, jewfish and barramundi. Get the coordinates for the wrecks on the Fisheries website.
Some of the most popular (and quirky) artificial reefs in Darwin Harbour include:
• The Tipper, named after the tip-trucks that were used to create the reef
• The Rick Mills Reef, named after the man who donated old drilling equipment that was sunk to create a reef
• The Bottle Washer, named after the large industrial bottle washer, which was sunk to create the reef
• The Bus Stop, named for concrete bus shelters that form the reef
In 1988 the Northern Territory Government began developing an artificial reef complex at the Fenton Patches, about 17 nautical miles north-west of Darwin. This area is now noted for pelagic species. Sailfish are regularly encountered here as are black marlin.
