Fishing Sandon River
General fishing in Sandon River centres on the estuary, where DPI lists bream, flathead, luderick and whiting for the region. DPI says every estuary system from South West Rocks north holds mangrove jack, and mud crabs are a prized catch in the marine park. Large parts of the upper river are a sanctuary zone, so know where the zone lines are before you fish.
Land-based anglers fish from the campground bank and the open lower river, and walk the ocean beach for mulloway. Sand whiting peak from November to April and take live nippers or marine worms on light gear. Spearfishing is banned in the river, and on the beach except right at each end.
Offshore and boat fishing starts at the national park ramp, which Transport for NSW lists as shallow at times. The river mouth is a listed coastal bar, so wear lifejackets and cross on the incoming tide. Outside the sanctuary zones, the marine park's prized species include snapper, kingfish and mackerel.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Sandon River Campground: The NPWS campground sits on the river and fronts the beach, with easy access for fishing, swimming and boating. Fish the river bank outside the sanctuary zone for the bream, flathead and whiting DPI lists for the region's estuaries. Fish live nippers or marine worms on a size 1 to 1/0 circle or long shank hook with a running sinker and about a metre of 2 to 5kg trace.
- Lower Sandon River: Below the junction with Candole Creek the main river is open to line fishing, except for the island and mudflat area that is part of the sanctuary zone. DPI says small blades, surface poppers and stickbaits cast around sand flats and shallow weed beds take whiting, best from November to April. Keep the retrieve brisk and consistent, which is DPI's top whiting tip.
- Candole Creek Junction: The sanctuary zone starts at this junction and runs up the Sandon River arm, so fish only downstream of it. DPI says every estuary from South West Rocks north holds mangrove jack, and baits beat lures after dark. Fish herring or poddy mullet unweighted or under a float against snags, focusing on the tide changes.
- Sandon Beach: This long ocean beach runs south from the river mouth, inside the marine park. NPWS says the waters off Yuraygir National Park are excellent for jewfish, also called mulloway. Spearfishing is only allowed in the last 20m at each end of the beach.
Offshore
- Sandon River Boat Ramp: The NPWS ramp off Sandon Road is a single concrete lane in fair condition, with barbecues, a fish cleaning table, toilets, a bin and room for up to 10 car and trailer rigs. Transport for NSW lists it as shallow at times with a fee payable, so check the tide before you launch. Jet skis may only use the river to reach the ocean from the lowest ramp, at no more than 4 knots.
- Sandon River Bar: Transport for NSW lists the Sandon River entrance as a coastal bar. Everyone on board must wear a lifejacket at all times when crossing. Cross on the incoming tide when you can, because the outgoing tide is the most dangerous time.
- Northern Sanctuary Zone: This offshore sanctuary zone starts about 1km seaward of Sandon Beach and runs about 6km out to sea. No fishing of any kind is allowed inside it, and anchoring on reef is banned. Use the free FishSmart NSW app, which tracks where you are against the zones in real time.
- Sandon Shoals: These shoals lie just north of the Northern sanctuary zone, outside it, so check your position before you drop a line. Snapper, kingfish and mackerel are the marine park's prized species, and DPI says snapper fishing is generally best from April to October. Drift pilchards or fresh tuna strips on a 2/0 to 7/0 non-offset circle hook with a running ball sinker straight to the hook, and use berley to bring fish up.
Hot Spots
- Toumbaal Creek: This creek is a sanctuary zone upstream of a set line, so no fishing or collecting is allowed there.
- Island Mudflats: The island and mudflat area in the main river is part of the sanctuary zone, so fish around it and never on it.
- Oyster Lease Zone: In the Sandon River oyster special purpose zone you may only fish with a hook and hand-held line, by hand, or with a dip, scoop, landing, hoop or lift net.
- Brooms Head Main Beach: This council beach to the north is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer holidays, so fish well away from the flags.
- Minnie Water Back Beach: South of Sandon, shore-based line fishing is the only fishing allowed on large hatched sections of this beach.
Know the Rules
- FISHING FEE: You must pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee and carry your receipt when you fish, unless you are exempt. It covers hand lining, bait collecting, hand gathering and trapping, and even having fishing gear near the water. It costs $7 for 3 days, $14 for a month, $35 for a year or $85 for 3 years, from Service NSW online or on 1300 369 365.
- MARINE PARK: DPI says the Sandon River is the northern boundary of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, and the river and the coast to the south sit inside the park. Sanctuary zones are no-take, so no fishing of any kind, no bait or shellfish collecting and no anchoring on reefs. Line fishing is allowed in the habitat protection and general use zones.
- SANDON RIVER SANCTUARY ZONE: The sanctuary zone covers Toumbaal Creek upstream of a set line and the Sandon River arm above its junction with Candole Creek. It also takes in the island and mudflat area in the main river, and no fishing or collecting of any kind is allowed there.
- NORTHERN SANCTUARY ZONE: Offshore, the Northern sanctuary zone starts about 1km seaward of Sandon Beach and runs about 6km out to sea, with no fishing of any kind.
- OYSTER LEASE ZONE: In the Sandon River oyster special purpose zone you may only fish with a hook and hand-held line, by hand, or with a dip, scoop, landing, hoop or lift net, and spearfishing is not allowed.
- PASSING THROUGH A ZONE: You may travel through a sanctuary zone with your gear stowed and your lines unbaited. The zone lines are not marked on the beach, so check the free FishSmart NSW app, which tracks where you are against the zones in real time.
- JET SKIS: Jet skis may only use the Sandon River to reach the ocean from the lowest boat ramp, at no more than 4 knots.
- ESTUARY AND BEACH LIMITS: Yellowfin bream must be at least 25cm, with a bag limit of 10 in total with tarwhine. Sand whiting must be at least 27cm, with a bag limit of 20. Dusky flathead must be 36cm to 70cm, with a bag limit of 5, and luderick and tailor have a bag limit of 10 each, at 27cm and 30cm minimum.
- MULLOWAY, JACKS AND CRABS: Mulloway must be at least 70cm, with a bag limit of 1 and a boat limit of 2 when 2 or more fishers are on board. Mangrove jack have no size limit and a bag limit of 5. Mud crabs must be at least 8.5cm, with a bag limit of 5.
- REEF FISH LIMITS: Snapper must be at least 30cm, with a bag limit of 10. Pearl perch must be at least 30cm, with a bag limit of 5. Yellowtail kingfish must be at least 65cm and Spanish mackerel at least 75cm, with a bag limit of 5 for each.
- EVERYTHING ELSE: Any fish not on the DPI list has a bag limit of 20. Eastern blue groper are release only, and DPI has kept the line fishing ban on them for three years from 1 March 2025.
- BAIT LIMITS: The limit is 20 beach worms, 100 saltwater nippers and 100 other worms. Poddy mullet under 15cm have a limit of 20 and are for live bait only. Pipis are for bait only, must not be taken more than 50m from the high tide mark, and count toward 50 in total with cockles and mussels.
- GEAR RULES: Cast nets are banned in NSW, and a nipper pump barrel must be no wider than 85mm. Spearfishing is not allowed in any estuary in the park, or on ocean beaches except the last 20m at each end of the beach.
- NATIONAL PARK: The Sandon River campground and boat ramp are in Yuraygir National Park, where park entry fees apply.
Rules change. Check the state fisheries website or app before you fish.
Local Bait Tips
- Nippers: Pump nippers from sand flats in the lower river outside the sanctuary zone with a stainless steel nipper pump, which by law must have a barrel no wider than 85mm, and keep to the limit of 100. Never pump on the island and mudflat area in the main river, and keep them alive in a bucket of clean seawater out of the sun.
- Beach Worms: Beach worms are taken by hand picking on the ocean beaches outside sanctuary zones, and gloves are allowed. The limit is 20 whole or part in total, so keep them cool and damp, and take only what you need.
- Pipis: Pipis may only be taken for bait, and you must not take them more than 50m from the high tide mark. Feel for them by hand in the wet sand at the water's edge outside sanctuary zones, and keep to the limit of 50 in total with cockles and mussels.
Basecamp & Accom
- Brooms Head Holiday Park: 35 Ocean Road, Brooms Head NSW 2463 | Phone: (02) 6646 7144
Emergency & Safety
- Marine Rescue Wooli: Emergency: 000 | Address: 92 Main Street, Wooli NSW 2462 | Radio: VHF 16, 27MHz 88 | Phone: 0437 423 797
