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39,538-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 19 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 19 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 68 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
The drawn water covers 39,537 acres wrapped in 68.3 miles of bank. An index of 2.5 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. About 23% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 17.6 mi long by 12.8 mi wide at the broadest reach. If the bite dies, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 20 is 8 mi to the southeast.
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.
In spring, barramundi run shallow here, mostly 2 to 18 ft. Summer keeps them at 2 to 18 ft, and they winter in 11 to 35 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 12 ft, rated good for fall barramundi. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
Spring puts golden snapper in skinny water — 8 to 35 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 8 to 35 ft, and winter fish hold in 18 to 68 ft. Fall golden snapper concentrate at Sharp break, a good-rated drop-off around 40 ft. 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 (12 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (40 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 68 ft | midday | Sharp break (40 ft) | see map |
Early season black jewfish use the shallows, holding in 8 to 35 ft. Even in summer they hold at 8 to 35 ft; winter keeps them in 16 to 68 ft. Put Deepest basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 68 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Deepest basin (68 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 16 to 68 ft | midday | Deepest basin (68 ft) | see map |
In spring, king threadfin run shallow here, mostly 2 to 16 ft. Summer keeps them at 2 to 16 ft, and they winter in 10 to 35 ft. Shallow measured flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring king threadfin. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (4 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (4 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (4 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
Come spring, look for queenfish tight to the bank in 3 to 25 ft. Through summer count on 3 to 25 ft; the winter hold is 15 to 55 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Sharp break: a drop-off around 12 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| 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 | Sharp break (12 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (40 ft) | see map |
In spring, giant trevally run shallow here, mostly 4 to 30 ft. Summer keeps them at 4 to 30 ft, and they winter in 15 to 68 ft. Shoreline point is the standout, a point at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring giant trevally. Time it for 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 (40 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 68 ft | midday | Sharp break (40 ft) | see map |
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19 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.
The chart marks 12 structure features on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19; the deepest is Deepest basin at about 68 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 19 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 19 is about 68 ft (21 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 19. 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.
Deepest basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 68 ft of water that rates prime for black jewfish in winter. Open the map above to see every rated 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 19 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 20 8 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 12 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 19 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 13 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 33 30 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 34 36 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14 37 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 37 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 35 45 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 48 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 53 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.