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79,127-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 12 Australian saltwater fishing map showing only directly measured AusBathyTopo 2026 cells, source-qualified fishing spots, official regional fish evidence, seasonal forage context, access guidance and current-rule links. Sector 12 trip-scale surveyed footprint within Van Diemen Gulf. A very large tropical gulf between the Top End and Cobourg Peninsula, divided across major channels and coastal sectors. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 137 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
On the chart, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 draws 79,128 acres inside 54.7 miles of shoreline. Nearly circular (index 1.4), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 2% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Figure 16.8 mi of water from one end to the other, 10.7 mi at the beam. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19, 12 mi south of here.
Regional occurrence does not mean equal abundance, child-specific catch rate, retention permission or a promised catch. Live state, territory, Commonwealth, protected-area and local rules always control. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| golden snapper (Golden Snapper) | official species listing | — |
| black jewfish (Black Jewfish) | official species listing | — |
| queenfish (Queenfish) | official species listing | — |
| giant trevally (Giant Trevally) | official species listing | — |
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Early season golden snapper use the shallows, holding in 8 to 35 ft. Even in summer they hold at 8 to 35 ft; winter keeps them in 21 to 80 ft. The chart's best answer is Sharp break — drop-off, 34 ft, good for fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
Spring puts black jewfish in skinny water — 8 to 35 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 8 to 35 ft, and winter fish hold in 21 to 90 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 34 ft, rated good for fall black jewfish. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
Start shallow in spring: queenfish sit in 3 to 25 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 3 to 25 ft covers summer, 15 to 55 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 34 ft of water that rates prime for queenfish in fall. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
Spring giant trevally on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 hold shallow, usually 4 to 30 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 4 to 30 ft in summer, 18 to 80 ft once it turns cold. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 34 ft that grades prime for fall. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
In spring, narrow-barred spanish mackerel run shallow here, mostly 8 to 45 ft. Summer keeps them at 8 to 45 ft, and they winter in 27 to 120 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 34 ft, rated prime for fall narrow-barred spanish mackerel. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (42 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (42 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 84 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 27 to 120 ft | midday | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
Start shallow in spring: coral trout sit in 8 to 35 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 8 to 35 ft covers summer, 21 to 100 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 34 ft of water that rates prime for coral trout in fall. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 100 ft | midday | Sharp break (34 ft) | see map |
Count 10 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deepest basin, sits near 137 ft.
No facility from the cited Northern Territory boat ramps source was spatially attached within 3 km of this directly measured map footprint during the 2026-09-08 audit. This is an evidence gap, not a claim that public access is absent. Check the official portal, live site signs, tides, ramp condition, vessel suitability, fees, parking, working-port restrictions and landowner permissions before travel: https://nt.gov.au/marine/for-all-harbour-and-boat-users/boat-ramps
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Northern Territory waters are set by the Northern Territory Government (current recreational-fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check the Northern Territory's live possession and size limits and rules for specific areas before every trip. Seasonal barramundi controls, protected species, marine-park and Aboriginal land or sea-country permissions, method limits, vessel rules and local closures can apply. Remote-water access often needs separate landowner or permit approval. A mapped survey footprint, fishing spot or access lead never grants fishing, retention, entry, parking, camping or launching permission.
Check the official Northern Territory fishing regulations →
Northern Territory possession and size limits →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 is about 137 ft (42 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries regional evidence informs the golden snapper, black jewfish, queenfish, giant trevally, narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
Sharp break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 34 ft of water that rates prime for queenfish in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For golden snapper, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 is regulated by the Northern Territory Government (current recreational-fishing rules). Check the official Northern Territory regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19 12 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 13 17 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 20 18 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26 34 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14 35 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 33 42 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 44 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 34 47 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 35 55 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 56 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 64 mi
Browse all Northern Territory fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.