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47,248-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 46 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 46 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 72 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 47,247 acres wrapped in 76.6 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 21% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 20.8 mi long by 16.1 mi wide at the broadest reach. If the bite dies, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 47 is 15 mi to the east.
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.
Start shallow in spring: barramundi sit in 2 to 18 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 2 to 18 ft covers summer, 11 to 35 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Sharp break, a drop-off in the 33 ft range, good in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (33 ft) | see map |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: golden snapper in 8 to 35 ft. The depth story barely changes: 8 to 35 ft through summer, 19 to 72 ft in winter. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 47 ft of water that rates good for golden snapper in fall. 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 (33 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (33 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 19 to 72 ft | midday | Sharp break (63 ft) | see map |
Come spring, look for black jewfish tight to the bank in 8 to 35 ft. Through summer count on 8 to 35 ft; the winter hold is 17 to 72 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Sharp break: a drop-off around 63 ft that scores good in 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 (33 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (33 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (63 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 17 to 72 ft | midday | Sharp break (63 ft) | see map |
Start shallow in spring: king threadfin sit in 2 to 16 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 2 to 16 ft covers summer, 10 to 35 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Shallow measured flat, a feeding flat in the 2 ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (2 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (2 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (2 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (33 ft) | see map |
Spring queenfish on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 46 hold shallow, usually 3 to 25 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 3 to 25 ft in summer, 15 to 55 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Sharp break — drop-off, 33 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (33 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
Start shallow in spring: giant trevally sit in 4 to 30 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 4 to 30 ft covers summer, 16 to 72 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Shoreline point, a point in the 4 ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 16 to 72 ft | midday | Sharp break (63 ft) | see map |
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 46 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 8 structure features on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 46; the deepest is Sharp break at about 63 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 46 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 46 is about 72 ft (22 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 46. 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 2 ft of water that rates prime for king threadfin in spring. 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 46 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 47 15 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 16 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 38 25 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 48 28 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 36 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 33 36 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 37 38 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 44 40 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 41 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26 43 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 34 44 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 47 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.