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Blue Swimmer Crab Fishing: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Guide

Slow season

Lake Mac delicacy. Witches hats and dillies on the sand flats. Lake Mac blue swimmers are excellent eating but be aware of heavy metal contamination advisory. NSW Health recommends adults max 6 servings (150g) per week; children under 6 max 3 servings (75g) per week. Cook by dropping into boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes. Serve with lemon and bread.

Adaptable: Scavenger - finds bait by scent, tolerates most clarity conditions
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Best spot for Blue Swimmer Crab right now:Belmont WharfFair water suits Blue Swimmer CrabView spot guide →
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Where to Catch Blue Swimmer Crab

Lake Macquarie

Tackle & Setup

Gear

Primary Witches hats (tangle nets) or dillies (hoop nets/drop nets)
Traps Enclosed crab traps now permitted in Lake Mac under 2023 trial order (max 2 per person, entrance max 32cm)
Limits Max 4 witches hats/hoop nets per person, plus up to 2 crab traps
Labelling Float must be labelled with LT, initial+surname, year of birth, postcode. Float min 100mm diameter, 50mm above water.

Bait

  • Fish frames: Offcuts from the fish shop. Fresh is best - ask at the counter.
  • Chicken carcass: Cheap and effective. Tie securely to net base.
  • Pilchard heads: Oily and smelly - crabs love it.

Tie bait firmly to centre of net base. For witches hats, bait sits inside the inverted mesh. For dillies, suspend bait above the net bag.

How to Catch Blue Swimmer Crab

Technique

Basic
Set nets on sandy bottom in 2-4m of water near seagrass beds. Leave for 20-30 minutes, then check. Crabs walk over the base and get tangled (witches hats) or trapped in the net bag (dillies).
Advanced
Set at dusk and check every 30 minutes through the evening. Moving tide (incoming or outgoing) is best - slack water is slower. Target sandy areas near seagrass where crabs forage.
Retrieve
Lift nets smoothly and quickly - don't hesitate or crabs will escape. Have a bucket ready.
Presentation
Add a few ounces of sheet lead or thick lead wire wrapped around the rings to hold nets down in tidal channels.

Pro Tips

  • Marks Point and Belmont flats are the classic crab spots - sandy bottom near seagrass
  • Near Eraring and Vales Point warm water outlets extends the season into cooler months
  • Evening sets are most productive - crabs are more active at night
  • Moving tide is key - run-in and run-out both work, slack water is dead
  • Measure carefully - 6.5cm carapace width is the minimum. Fines are heavy.
  • Berried females (carrying orange eggs under the flap) MUST be returned immediately
  • Keep crabs alive in a bucket with damp hessian - don't submerge in fresh water

Best Time to Fish

Best Time of Day
Dusk (4-7pm), Night
Best Tide
High tide best
Peak Season
October, November, December, January, February, March

Size & Bag Limits

6.5cm carapace width
Min Size
10
Bag Limit / day
NSW DPI full regulations →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I catch Blue Swimmer Crab in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie?

The best spots for Blue Swimmer Crab include Belmont Wharf, Marks Point Sand Flats. Peak season runs October to March. At Belmont Wharf: Oct-Mar (warm months). Key spots: Marks Point flats, Belmont Bay, Valentine deep water, near Eraring/Vales Point warm water outlets.

What is the best time to catch Blue Swimmer Crab?

Blue Swimmer Crab fish best at Dusk (4-7pm) and Night. Best tide: High tide best. Peak season: October, November, December, January, February, March.

What bait and lures work best for Blue Swimmer Crab?

Best bait: Fish frames, Chicken carcass, Pilchard heads.

When is Blue Swimmer Crab season in NSW?

Blue Swimmer Crab are in peak season around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie during October, November, December, January, February, March. Within the day they bite best at Dusk (4-7pm) and Night. You can catch them at other times of year too, but those are the months they are most active.

What is the legal size and bag limit for Blue Swimmer Crab in NSW?

In NSW, the minimum legal size for Blue Swimmer Crab is 6.5cm carapace width. The recreational bag limit is 10 per person. Rules change, so always check the current NSW DPI limits before you keep a fish.

See which spots are firing right now for Blue Swimmer Crab and more.

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