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32,236-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 18 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 18 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 307 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
On the chart, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 draws 32,236 acres inside 98.3 miles of shoreline. With a shoreline index of 3.9, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 48% of this chart. Tip to tip the water measures near 18.5 mi with a 13.8-mi widest point. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19, 19 mi east 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 |
|---|---|---|
| barramundi (Barramundi) | official species listing | — |
| golden snapper (Golden Snapper) | official species listing | — |
| black jewfish (Black Jewfish) | official species listing | — |
| king threadfin (King Threadfin) | official species listing | — |
| queenfish (Queenfish) | official species listing | — |
| giant trevally (Giant Trevally) | official species listing | — |
| mangrove jack (Mangrove Jack) | official species listing | — |
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
When the water first warms, barramundi slide up into 2 to 18 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 2 to 18 ft, winter 11 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shoreline point: a point around 5 ft that scores good in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | open water | see map |
Come spring, look for golden snapper tight to the bank in 8 to 35 ft. Through summer count on 8 to 35 ft; the winter hold is 21 to 80 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 54 ft of water and rates good come fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: black jewfish in 8 to 35 ft. The depth story barely changes: 8 to 35 ft through summer, 21 to 90 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Sharp break, a drop-off in the 54 ft range, good in fall. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
When the water first warms, king threadfin slide up into 2 to 16 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 2 to 16 ft, winter 10 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow measured flat: a feeding flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (3 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (3 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (3 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | open water | see map |
Spring puts queenfish in skinny water — 3 to 25 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 3 to 25 ft, and winter fish hold in 15 to 55 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 54 ft, rated prime for winter queenfish. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (3 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
When the water first warms, giant trevally slide up into 4 to 30 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 4 to 30 ft, winter 18 to 80 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shoreline point: a point around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (54 ft) | see map |
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 also holds mangrove jack (2 to 18 ft in summer), narrow-barred spanish mackerel (8 to 45 ft in summer), coral trout (8 to 35 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Structure-wise the chart holds 13 features, led in depth by Deepest basin at roughly 281 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 18 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 18 is about 307 ft (94 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 barramundi, golden snapper, black jewfish, king threadfin, queenfish, giant trevally, mangrove jack, narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18. 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.
Shallow measured flat is the top-rated area: a feeding flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for king threadfin in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For barramundi, 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 18 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 19 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26 26 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 20 27 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 33 34 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 36 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 13 38 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 45 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 34 47 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 48 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 15 48 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.