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24,602-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 44 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 44 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 151 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
The outline encloses 24,601 acres, worked by 39.6 miles of shoreline. With a 1.8 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 21% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Figure 9.4 mi of water from one end to the other, 9 mi at the beam. Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 37 sits 12 mi northeast — the closest neighbouring chart.
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. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | open water | 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 21 to 80 ft. Winter golden snapper concentrate at Sharp break, a good-rated drop-off around 60 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 | open water | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (60 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (60 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 21 to 90 ft. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 60 ft that grades good for fall. 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 | open water | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (60 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Sharp break (85 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 5 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 (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | open water | 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 60 ft that scores good in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (60 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 18 to 80 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 60 ft, rated prime for winter 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 | open water | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (60 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (60 ft) | see map |
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 44 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.
Count 9 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deepest basin, sits near 145 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 44 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 44 is about 151 ft (46 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 44. 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 5 ft of water that rates prime for king threadfin in spring. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 44 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 37 12 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 36 13 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 43 14 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 50 24 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 38 24 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 25 mi · Port Darwin - North 32 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 34 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 35 mi · Bynoe Harbour - Northeast 38 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 46 40 mi · Port Darwin - Northwest 40 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.