Tweed River

Tweed River Fishing Guide

Fishing in the estuary or on the Tweed River in northern New South Wales is very good, and the kinds of fish generally taken are flathead, bream, whiting, luderick and mangrove jack.

The North Wall is suitable for jewfish, Jack Evans Boat Harbour is appropriate for families intending to catch flathead, and at Tumbulgum you can find mangrove jack.

Top Fishing Spots

North Wall

Near where the ocean meets the land, look for mulloway (also known as jewfish), bream, and mangrove jack, especially during times when the tide is changing.

Jack Evans Boat Harbour

Good for families who want to catch whiting and flathead in sandy areas as well as on rock walls. The site has facilities suitable for families, including toilets, picnic tables and safe parking, which makes it convenient for a pleasant visit. Be sure to take along sun protection like hats and sunscreen, plenty of drinking water, snacks, and any other personal items you might need so everyone stays safe and can enjoy the day on the water.

Tumbulgum & Chinderah

You will find good fishing areas for mangrove jack, bream, and trevally around timber structures and bridge pylons.

Tweed River Upper Reaches

At Murwillumbah, use small hardbodies and surface lures to catch Australian bass.

Common Species & Techniques

Flathead

Flathead can be caught all year round on sandy areas and on steep drops, and for this you should use soft plastics that are 3 to 5 inches long. For beginners or families, a simple combination of a spinning rod and reel in the 2 to 4 kg line range, together with a 2500-size reel, is an easy and reliable setup for catching flathead.

Bream & Trevally

Hold the rod near bridges, rock walls, and pontoons and firmly bite small hardbodies or light plastics.

Whiting

While the tides are going in, use surface stickbaits or live bloodworms/nippers on shallow sand flats.

Mangrove Jack

Near the mangrove areas and on the rocky sections, the fish are active and feed on deep-diving hardbodies or on live bait. Generally, the local people agree that when fishing the western rock walls, there is no need to cast far from the shore since the fish remain close to the structure, but one must be prepared for heavy snagging near the bottom. To reduce the risk of snags, it is advisable to use weedless rigs or keep your line a little above the bottom as you reel in. It is also a good idea to wear solid footwear in these areas to protect your feet from sharp rocks and from any hidden debris, thus ensuring a safer and more comfortable fishing experience.

Fishing Regulations

Anyone over the age of 18 must have a current receipt for the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee, and you must follow the bag limits, size limits, and commercial netting closures that apply to the Tweed estuary system.

Some common size and bag limits include:

• Dusky Flathead: Minimum size 36 cm, daily bag limit 10 (with no more than 1 over 70 cm)
• Bream (Yellowfin or Black): Minimum size 25 cm, daily bag limit 20
• Whiting: Minimum size 27 cm, daily bag limit 20
• Mangrove Jack: Minimum size 30 cm, daily bag limit 5
• Australian Bass: Minimum size 30 cm, daily bag limit 2 (closed season applies June to August)

Before you go, it is important to check the DPI Fisheries website for the latest information regarding bag and size limits, as well as for maps of the closed areas.