Fishing Belmont Wharf, Lake Macquarie Guide

Lake (Sheltered) Best: Dusk, Night Tide: High tide best
New wharf (opened 2026): 71m out from shore, about 10m longer than the old one, widening to 8m at the landing. Lit at night - the lights attract baitfish and squid hunt the light/shadow edge. Seagrass nearby for daytime squid.
Belmont Wharf is the lake's night squidding mecca. The wharf lights create a food chain that runs like clockwork after dark, plankton gathers in the light, baitfish follow, and squid move in to hunt the light-shadow edge. Wait until the lights have been on for an hour to let the baitfish build up, then cast past the lit zone and work your jig back through the edge with a jerk-jerk-pause retrieve. Size 2.5 to 3.0 jigs in glow patterns work well, charge them with your headlamp between casts. High tide brings squid closer to the wharf structure.

Start your session at dusk working the seagrass beds on either side of the wharf where squid hunt and lay eggs, then shift to the lights after full dark. The end of the wharf in deeper water (5 metres plus) holds the larger squid. Blue swimmer crabs forage the sandy bottom near the seagrass edges from October to March, set witches hats baited with chicken frame or fish heads and check every 30 minutes. Leatherjackets are a bonus catch around the pylons during the day on tiny hooks with small prawn pieces.

The wharf itself was rebuilt in 2026. The new structure runs 71 metres out from shore, about 10 metres further than the old one, and opens out to an 8 metre wide landing at the end. That extra reach puts the end section over deeper water, and the wide landing means casting room even when the squid crowd turns up, which it does - the new wharf is drawing more fishos than the old one ever did. The piles are freshly driven and still building their marine growth, so expect the pylon leatherjacket bite to improve as weed and mussels colonise.

Autumn and winter sessions are best when the water clears and cools. Arrive before dark to grab a park on Brooks Parade close to the jetty, opposite Good One cafe, it fills quickly on good squidding nights. Good One opens at 6:30 for the dawn-session coffee, and the public toilets are at Belmont Baths.

Depth: 3-5m off wharf

Conditions Right Now
2
TideLowRising in ~7m
Wind9kt SSide wind
Sea temp18.8°C
ClarityFair(50)
Pressure1031 hPa →

Best day to fish Belmont Wharf this week

The standout looks like Tue 6:00 pm for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari.

You've got the evening bite as the light drops off. You're tucked out of the E wind, so it'll sit glassy while the open water's a mess, and you'll hit the tide change, and that's the switch that turns them on.

Scored from the live 7-day outlook, updated Sat 8:00am. Re-check the live rating above before you head out.

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What You Can Catch

Where to Cast

Seasonal Calendar

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🦑 Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari Peak Peak Peak Peak Good - - Good Peak Peak Peak Peak
🦀 Blue Swimmer Crab Peak Peak Peak Good - - - - Good Peak Peak Peak
🐡 Leatherjacket Peak Peak Peak Peak Good - - - Good Peak Peak Peak

Current month highlighted. Peak = best months, Good = adjacent months, - = slow.

Local Tips

Getting There

Parking
Parking close to the jetty on Brooks Parade, opposite Good One cafe. Fills quickly on good squidding nights - arrive before dark.
Facilities
Good One cafe at 36 Brooks Parade (good1.coffee, from 6:30am - dawn-session coffee). Public toilets at Belmont Baths. Belmont shops 5 min walk.
Tackle & Bait
Mak Marine - 804 Pacific Hwy, Marks Point. Frozen bait range (pilchards, prawns, squid, worms), from 8am Mon-Sat. 5 minutes down the highway.
Access
Land-based
Open in Google Maps

Safety

Hazards
Can get crowded with squid fishers. Watch for other lines when casting. Slippery when wet.

Nearby Spots

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best day to fish Belmont Wharf this week?

Based on the live 7-day outlook, the best day to fish Belmont Wharf looks like Tue 6:00 pm for Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari. You've got the evening bite as the light drops off. You're tucked out of the E wind, so it'll sit glassy while the open water's a mess, and you'll hit the tide change, and that's the switch that turns them on. Conditions shift through the day, so check the live rating on this page before you head out.

What fish can I catch at Belmont Wharf?

At Belmont Wharf you can target Arrow Squid / Southern Calamari, Blue Swimmer Crab, Leatherjacket. Cast jig to light/shadow edge at night. Best tide: High tide best. Top spot: Light/shadow edge. Tip: Wait until lights have been on for an hour - baitfish need to gather.

When is the best time to fish Belmont Wharf?

The best times to fish Belmont Wharf are dusk, night on a high tide best. New wharf (opened 2026): 71m out from shore, about 10m longer than the old one, widening to 8m at the landing. Lit at night - the lights attract baitfish and squid hunt the light/shadow edge. Seagrass nearby for daytime squid.

How do I get to Belmont Wharf?

Parking close to the jetty on Brooks Parade, opposite Good One cafe. Fills quickly on good squidding nights - arrive before dark. Good One cafe at 36 Brooks Parade (good1.coffee, from 6:30am - dawn-session coffee). Public toilets at Belmont Baths. Belmont shops 5 min walk. Nearest other spot: Green Point Jetty (2.1km away). Nearest tackle: Mak Marine (804 Pacific Hwy, Marks Point). 5 minutes down the highway.