Fishing in the Ballina river and estuary system along with 32 km of coastline offer both the serious and recreational angler a paradise of rock, beach and estuary fishing that has been and will remain a favourite fishing spot for many years.
Fishing Information
Bream, flathead, whiting, blackfish and tailor are among the good catches from the Richmond River. The river is very clean and well populated with fish. If you don't have a boat, there are ample places to fish off the banks including the north and south walls. Access is just a matter of parking and walking out. Luderick, bream, whiting, dart, tailor and jew are the mainstays for the wall angler, and the place is deservedly popular.
Beach fishing at South Ballina is a favourite spot with really well-formed gutters and holes.
This beach is renowned for year-round tailor and for its large whiting, during spring and early summer. Beach worms and pipis are easy to come by as fresh bait alternatives.
Ballina.info recommends all visitors and residents have a fishing licence before fishing within the river system, on the coastline or offshore within the area.
When you're fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, you're required by law to carry a NSW fishing licence. This also applies when spear fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping and bait collection and prawn netting. There are some exemptions.
Before you go fishing, check out NSW Fisheries For information on both freshwater and saltwater fishing including bag and size limits, restrictions, rock fishing safety, diving and spear fishing, protected species etc.
Recreational anglers now require fishing licences and you can buy a recreational fishing licence for three days ($6), one month ($12), a year ($30) or three years ($75) from:
- Dave's Bait Shop
271 River Street Ballina Ph 02 6686 4289 - Johno's One Stop Bait & Tackle
337 River Street Ballina Ph 02 6686 3968
Check the current tide movements for Ballina
