The lower Wonboyn River forms tidal lakes which are shallow but with good tidal flow when the sea entrance is wide open.
The size of the sea entrance varies.
The Wonboyn system has about 10km of navigable water, with a rockbar marking the start of the freshwater section.
The freshwater reaches have bass fishing amid great scenery.
Immediately downstream of the rockbar are islands, with rocky shorelines and snags, a good area for bream and estuary perch.
The lower tidal river has upper and lower lakes.
The upper lake is deeper, with the lower lake being a channel through drying sandbars.
Oyster leases cover much of the lower area.
The upper lake is up to about 5m deep, with the river itself reaching about 10m deep.
Species caught in the lakes include flathead, black and yellowfin bream, luderick, salmon, tailor, estuary perch, bass, trevally, whiting and mulloway.
Large flathead are a highlight of the Wonboyn system. Fish for them where the channel drops off, at tidal drains, and creek entrances.
The local rocks and surf outside produce tailor, snapper and salmon.
Offshore fishing is good and can be accessed through the sea entrance when it is sufficiently open and conditions are suitable, with snapper, kingfish, morwong, gurnard, gummy sharks and more.
The bar crossing is shallow and hazardous and the entrance sometimes shrinks to almost nothing.
There is a boat ramp on the southern side of the lake, and a private ramp at a local resort.
Small boats are best for the lakes.
If the sea entrance is poor then local reefs can be accessed from the Quarantine Bay launch site to the north.
There is good landbased access to local beaches and lake shores through Ben Boyd National Park and Nadgee Nature Reserve tracks.
Wonboyn River fishing spots
flathead are best around the “Yellow Peg” area.
Nippers are found on flats near the entrance, and the squirt worm flats usually have sand whiting on the rising tide.
Mulloway are best in summer on big tides, with fish collecting near the mouth after prolonged heavy rain.
Pontoons, oyster racks, rocky shorelines and natural timber structure are the spots to chase bream.
Gar and mullet are easily berleyed up.
The lower river produces good prawns in late spring, summer and autumn. You’ll need a scoop net, light and floating container.
The water is usually clear and consequently lure fishing can be very good.
Night fishing is best for bigger fish, especially mulloway and big bream.
Lake tides are about two hours behind sea tides.
Bull Creek has flathead, bream and mullet.
Wonboyn River is located between Eden and the Victorian border. From the Princes Highway turn onto Wonboyn Road and drive 10km.
Wonboyn Lake entrance tides
Wonboyn coastline
Ben Boyd National Park
NSW fishing regulations
NSW marine parks
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