Guide to Fishing Narrabeen Lake

Where can you fish at Narrabeen Lake?

Choose a public shoreline with firm footing, room to cast and shelter from the wind. Always follow signs and temporary access restrictions, and leave space for walkers, cyclists, swimmers and paddlers.

Jamieson Park

Jamieson Park, accessed from The Esplanade, is a useful starting point for exploring the southern shoreline. Look for an open casting position near a sandy patch, a weed edge or a change in depth.

This spot is relatively shallow so it's best to fish light and try and aim for the deeper spots if possible. Longer casts are needed to reach some of these deeper spots so best to use a slightly longer rod to achieve the distance in your cast. 

Berry Reserve

Berry Reserve, accessed from Pittwater Road, is another convenient place to begin exploring the lake’s public foreshore.

Look for somewhere you can cast without crossing the shared path or putting other visitors at risk. If the area is busy, move to a quieter stretch rather than trying to fish between people.

The lower lake near Ocean Street Bridge

The lower lake is worth exploring for sandy edges and channels. When the entrance is open, water movement can be more noticeable towards this end of the system.

Choose a safe position on the public bank, follow local signs and keep clear of swimmers and boating traffic. It can get busy in this area so it does pay to wade out however, if you plan to do this be sure to wear good footwear and be careful of the currents. 

What fish can you catch in Narrabeen Lake?

Flathead

Flathead are a good first target for anglers learning to fish with soft plastics. They sit on the bottom and ambush passing food, making sandy patches, channel edges and gaps beside weed beds useful places to try.

Keep your bait or lure close to the bottom and cover different casting angles. For more detail, read our flathead fishing guide.

Bream

Bream are a good option for bait fishing. Try small pieces of prawn near weed edges, deeper pockets and structure.

Use a small, neatly presented bait with the hook point exposed. A large lump of bait can be harder for a fish to take properly.

Whiting

Whiting are worth targeting over sandy ground, especially during the warmer months. Worms are a useful bait, while small pieces of prawn can also work.

Start with a small long-shank hook and a light sinker. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, surface lure fishing offers another way to target them.

A simple fishing setup

You don’t need a heavy beach rod for Narrabeen Lake. A light spinning outfit makes casting small baits easier and helps you feel bites.

A practical starting setup is:

Braid is another option, particularly for lure fishing, but it needs a separate leader and an extra joining knot. If you’re starting from scratch, ask us to help match the line to your outfit.

How to rig a fishing line for Narrabeen Lake

A running sinker rig is a simple option for fishing with prawns or worms:

1. Thread a small ball sinker onto your main line.
2. Tie the main line to a small swivel.
3. Attach approximately 20–40 cm of leader to the other end of the swivel.
4. Tie your hook to the leader.

Use only enough sinker weight to cast and keep the bait near the bottom. Too much weight makes a small bait look less natural.

Bait the hook with a small piece of prawn or a section of worm, leaving the hook point exposed. Cast gently, let the rig settle and wind in the loose line until you can feel what’s happening.

For whiting in clear water, a longer, light fluorocarbon leader can help present the bait naturally. Adjust its length to suit the depth, conditions and what you can comfortably cast.

For standard J-hooks, lift the rod smoothly when you feel a positive bite rather than striking wildly. Circle hooks work differently: wind steadily and let the line load up.

What is the best bait for Narrabeen Lake?

Prawns are a useful all-round starting bait. Cut them to suit your hook rather than automatically using a whole prawn.

Worms are a good option when targeting whiting over sand. Buy bait suitable for fishing and keep it cool and out of the sun.

Check your bait regularly. If you’ve had several bites without hooking a fish, wind in and make sure the bait is still attached and the hook point is clear. 

How to catch flathead on soft plastics

If you’d prefer to try lures, start with a 2.5–3 inch paddle-tail or prawn-style soft plastic on a matching jighead. In shallow, calm water, a 1/16–1/8 oz jighead can be a useful starting range; adjust the weight so you can feel the bottom.

Try this retrieve:

1. Cast towards a sandy patch or the edge of a channel.
2. Let the lure sink to the bottom.
3. Lift the rod tip gently to hop the lure.
4. Pause and let it sink again.
5. Wind in the slack and repeat.

The pause matters: give the lure time to return to the bottom. If you aren’t getting bites, change your casting angle or move along the accessible bank.

What is the best time to fish Narrabeen Lake?

Early morning and late afternoon are sensible starting times, particularly when the water is clear or the foreshore is busy.

Spring and summer are useful seasons to focus on flathead and whiting, although the lake can be fished throughout the year.

Do tides matter in Narrabeen Lake?

Narrabeen Lagoon’s entrance opens and closes, which affects how water moves through the system. Ocean tide predictions don’t translate directly into the same water level changes throughout the lake.

When the entrance is open, look for actual water movement, particularly in the lower lake. When it’s closed or restricted, pay more attention to wind, light, water clarity and the ground you’re fishing.

Rather than waiting for a supposedly perfect tide, choose manageable conditions and watch what the water is doing.

Narrabeen Lake fishing rules and responsible fishing

Before heading out, check the current NSW fishing rules, species size and bag limits, and any local closures.

Most adults need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee unless exempt. Children under 18 are exempt, and an exemption also applies to an adult assisting an under-18 to fish using a single rod. Check the official exemption conditions for your situation.

Narrabeen Lake and its tributaries have year-round restrictions prohibiting hoop or lift nets, hand-hauled prawn nets, push or scissors prawn nets, crab traps and lobster traps. These are gear restrictions; they are not a blanket ban on recreational line fishing. Read the Narrabeen Lake closure information before bringing nets or traps.

If you choose to wade, assess the bottom and water clarity, wear suitable footwear and stay clear of deep channels and moving water. Stay on the bank if conditions are uncertain.

Take all line, hooks and packaging home. Wet your hands before handling fish, minimise time out of the water and support their body. Flathead have sharp spines around the head, so use a landing net and suitable handling tools.

Plan your next Narrabeen Lake fishing trip

Keep your session simple: one light outfit, a running sinker rig and some prawns. Choose an uncrowded public bank, cast near sand or a weed edge and check your bait regularly.

Give yourself time to explore. Watch for baitfish, changes in depth and clean sandy patches, and adjust your approach as the conditions change.

Local rules checked October 2026. Check current NSW Fisheries advice and local signs before fishing.