Fishing Burnie & Wynyard
The coastal waters are defined by volcanic rock ledges, broken kelp reefs, and clean sand basins that attract rich marine life. Spring and summer deliver exceptional fishing for Southern Calamari, Sand Flathead, King George Whiting, and coastal Gummy Sharks. Autumn and winter bring sea-run Brown Trout and schooling Australian Salmon into the tidal reaches of the Inglis and Emu rivers.
Land-based fishers can work the heavy granite boulders of the Burnie ocean breakwater, Wynyard river jetties, and sandy foreshore beaches. Casting size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs off the Wynyard wharf pylons yields consistent catches of Calamari during high tide. Walking the Inglis River banks casting small minnow lures or soft plastics produces hard-fighting sea-run Brown Trout and Black Bream.
Boaters launching from Burnie Ocean Ramp or Wynyard get immediate access to open Bass Strait waters within minutes. Trolling shallow-diving hardbodies along broken kelp reefs in 5 to 12 meters depth targets Australian Salmon, Snook, and sea-run trout. Heading out to the 20 to 40-meter marks allows boaters to drift over open sand for Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- BURNIE OCEAN BREAKWATER: Heavy granite rock wall extending into deep Bass Strait water near the port entrance. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners or white soft plastics into the white wash for schooling Australian Salmon and Snook. Soaking pilchard slabs or fresh squid on heavy bottom setups pulls quality Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
- WYNYARD WHARF (INGLIS RIVER): Historic timber wharf sitting over deep estuarine tidal currents near the river mouth. Drop light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns or fresh worms beside pylons for Black Bream and Silver Trevally. Cast size 2.5 squid jigs along dark weed edges on a rising tide for Southern Calamari.
- EMU RIVER MOUTH (COOEE): Estuarine exit where freshwater enters Emu Bay, holding active bait schools. Cast 3-inch paddletail soft plastics or shallow-diving minnow lures into current seams on a run-out tide for sea-run Brown Trout. Early morning sessions before traffic noise increases yield quiet, productive fishing.
- SOMERSET BEACH FORESHORE: Wide sandy ocean beach located between Burnie and Wynyard offering comfortable surf casting. Set up beach rod stands and cast patternoster rigs baited with squid strips beyond the shore break for Sand Flathead. Late afternoon tides during summer produce consistent catches.
- TABLE CAPE LEDGES: Rugged volcanic rock platforms beneath Table Cape lighthouse offering deep casting access. Cast heavy metal jigs into deep water for Australian Salmon and Snook chasing baitfish close to the rocks. Sturdy non-slip footwear and extreme caution are mandatory due to ocean swell waves.
Offshore
- TABLE CAPE REEF MARGINS: Deep basalt and kelp reef structure dropping into 15 to 30 meters depth off Table Cape headland. Troll 90mm deep-diving hardbody lures at 3km/h along the reef edge for large Australian Salmon and Snook. Bottom-bouncing fresh squid or fish fillets on heavy rigs yields limits of Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
- INGLIS RIVER MOUTH BAR: Shallow sandbar drop-off straight outside the river entrance dropping into 4 meters depth. Drift along the bar edge casting soft plastics or trolling shallow minnows for Sand Flathead and sea-run Brown Trout. Watch for breaking swell waves over the shallow bar when exiting the river.
- BLACKMANS REEF FLATS: Extensive broken reef and ribbon weed system sitting in 6 to 12 meters depth off Somerset. Drift across clear sand pockets casting size 3.0 squid jigs or light whiting rigs for Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Deploying a sea anchor slows your boat speed and ensures natural lure action.
- COOEE BAY DEEP SAND RIDGES: Wide sand ridges located in 15 to 25 meters depth off Cooee beach. Drift across open sand using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or bluebait for limits of Sand Flathead. Setting heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets targets cruising Gummy Sharks.
- DOCTORS ROCKS INSHORE BEDS: Shallow kelp and basalt rock patches sitting close to shore along the Bass Highway. Kayakers and tinnies drift in 3 to 6 meters of clear water casting size 2.5 squid jigs over weed gaps for Southern Calamari. Calm days with light offshore winds deliver ideal sight-fishing conditions.
Hot Spots
- Burnie Ocean Breakwater: Iconic land-based rock wall famous for producing big Australian Salmon and Gummy Sharks.
- Wynyard Wharf: Accessible riverfront platform offering prime land-based Squid, Bream, and Trevally fishing.
- Inglis River Estuary: Fertile river system renowned for producing trophy sea-run Brown Trout and Black Bream.
- Table Cape Reefs: Deep volcanic reef structure holding heavy schools of Australian Salmon, Snook, and Flathead.
- Doctors Rocks: Shallow basalt reef system providing exceptional visual squid jigging for kayak fishers.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Wynyard Wharf or over Doctors Rocks kelp beds using size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole heads for offshore Gummy Sharks.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface rocks and wharf pylons around Wynyard and Burnie harbour below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Black Bream and Silver Trevally.
- PIPIS: Gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on Somerset Beach at low tide by twisting feet into wet sand. Thread two whole pipis onto long-shank hooks for Sand Flathead and King George Whiting.
- SAND WORMS: Digged using a small hand-fork from moist sand flats inside the Inglis River estuary at low tide. Wrap in damp newspaper to keep lively for light-tackle Black Bream and Whiting fishing.
Boat Ramps
- Burnie Ocean Boat Ramp:
Burnie Ocean Boat Ramp is located off Bass Highway at Ocean Wharf in Burnie, managed by MAST and the City of Burnie. The coastal facility features concrete launching lanes equipped with a floating boarding pontoon protected by a rock breakwater, providing direct access to open Bass Strait waters. Amenities include a sealed car-trailer carpark, lighting, public restrooms, and wash-down area.
- Wynyard Boat Ramp:
Wynyard Boat Ramp is located off Goldie Street on the Inglis River foreshore in Wynyard, managed by Waratah-Wynyard Council. The facility features a concrete launching ramp equipped with a floating pontoon jetty, servicing the Inglis River estuary and offshore Bass Strait reefs. Amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning table, and parklands.
Bait and Tackle
- Wynyard Tackle & Outdoors: 41 Goldie St, Wynyard TAS 7325 - Ph: (03) 6442 2200
- BCF Burnie: 1/13-15 Mount St, Burnie TAS 7320 - Ph: (03) 6431 8200
- Shell Coles Express Burnie (24/7): 25 Bass Hwy, Cooee TAS 7320 - Ph: (03) 6431 5500
Basecamp & Accom
- Wynyard Waterfront Caravan Park: 2 Goldie St, Wynyard TAS 7325 - Ph: (03) 6442 1998
- Somerset Beach Holiday Park: 154 Bass Hwy, Somerset TAS 7322 - Ph: (03) 6435 1108
- Burnie Ocean View Motel & Caravan Park: 2 Princes St, Cooee TAS 7320 - Ph: (03) 6431 1925
Emergency & Safety
- Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Burnie: Bass Hwy, Ocean Wharf, Burnie TAS 7320 - Ph: (03) 6431 3344 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
