Fishing Batemans Bay – Ocean and Estuary

 

Clyde View Holiday Park has close proximity to Batemans Bay’s main boat ramp (Hanging Rock Boat Ramp), which gives anglers access to both the Clyde River and the open ocean. The local area provides a broad spectrum of fishing for all anglers both from the boat or land based. The Clyde River’s waterways stretch over 20 km from the mouth of the Bay to the fresh waters of Shallow Crossing. The Clyde’s catchment area consists primarily of unfarmed lands of which 1278 hectares are National Park. This unique catchment area provides a pristine waterway, which is home to some of the South Coasts best estuary fishing. For a great day with the family try your luck from the jetty break wall or hire a motorboat for the day and cruise upstream for a magic day on the Clyde.

An abundance of local oyster farms stretching from the Batemans Bay bridge upstream toward Nelligen are a great breeding ground for several species of estuary fish such as Bream, Flathead, Whiting, and Jewfish etc. With protection from large swells the Clyde provides sheltered waters for smaller craft. The Bay is host to several fishing competitions each year with the “Clyde River’s Bream” competition and Tollgate Classic both held in February drawing large crowds. For further information on Batemans Bays’ competition fishing contact the Batemans Bay Visitors Centre. For the more adventurous anglers the outer reefs, bomboras and weed beds produce consistent catches of Snapper, Morwong and Flathead all year round. The outer reefs and continental shelf areas are home to the Bays famous Marlin breeding grounds. Fish such as Albacore and Tuna species are more prevalent in the months leading up to Winter (April-June) Marlin and King Fish usually run in the warmer months (December-March).

If you don’t have a boat there are several fishing charters operating from the Bay who will provide all the gear and local knowledge to get you out on the water and catching some fish. Clyde View’s beachfront is also a great spot to throw a line in. With good Flathead and Bream caught regularly almost right at your doorstep. It’s always a good idea to check with NSW Fisheries as to size and bag limits.

BATEMANS MARINE PARK

Location  and Size

Batemans Marine Park covers approximately 85,000 hectares, extending from the north end  of Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point to Wallaga Lake in the  South. It includes all of the seabed and waters from the mean high water mark  on the coast to three nautical miles offshore. It includes all estuaries,  creeks, rivers and lakes (except Nargal Lake) to the  limit of tidal influence.

Date  established

The NSW government established the park in April  2006. The zoning plan commenced in June 2007. The park was named after Batemans Bay, which was sighted by Captain Cook from the  Endeavour on April 22, 1770. He named the bay in  honour of Nathaniel Bateman, his former superior officer.

Special  features

The park covers a diverse range of  habitats, including continental shelf sea floor along with sponge gardens,  beaches, rocky shores, kelp beds, coralline algal banks, rocky reefs, islands, seagrass,  mangroves and estuarine habitats.

Marine life includes many species of  dolphins, turtles, fish, invertebrates, seabirds and seaweeds along with  several protected and / or threatened species and such as the weedy sea dragon,  eastern blue devil fish, elegant wrasse and the grey nurse shark. A variety of  whales can be observed  through the months of September to November including Humpback Whales, Southern  Right Whales, Pilot Whales and Killer Whales

Montague Island Nature reserve lies within the park. The island is culturally  significant to   Aboriginal  people. It is a  breeding place for over 40,000  sea birds including 3 species of  Shearwaters (Mutton Birds), Little  Penguins (Australia’s only native penguin – between 8000 -12000 nest at  Montague Island),Crested Terns and Silver Gulls and is a haul out site for Australian and New  Zealand Fur Seals. Both Montague Island in the  south and the Tollgate Islands in the  north of the park are aggregation sites for Grey Nurse Sharks.

Local Aboriginal communities have  strong links to the area within and adjoining the marine park.  The local Aboriginal communities  within the Yuin Nation are actively involved in consultation on park issues  affecting traditional use.

Recreational  and commercial use

Visitors and the local community enjoy a  broad range of activities within this multiple use park. Popular activities  include fishing, swimming, surfing, boating and diving.

Some forms of commercial fishing are limited  to protect biodiversity including habitats. Trawling, long lining and dredging  are prohibited from the entire park.

Fishing and Sanctuary Zones. GOOD LUCK!