Newcastle and Lake Macquarie fishermen now have access to an artificial reef off the coast of Blacksmith's Beach.
The 12 metre tall steel skeleton is one of nine across the state, designed to provide a new habitat for local fish populations.
The government say the reefs represent a long-term investment to improve recreational fishing in NSW.
Monitoring of the site has already identified over 50 different fish species in the reef, with expectations it will continue to grow in the coming years.
"The steel structure is the skeleton of the new thriving fish community; but the ocean will ultimately do the rest with the reef rapidly accumulating a wide variety of attaching marine organisms" said Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall.
The minister said the reef will particularly support bottom-dwelling and pelagic species which are popular with recreational fishers; Yellowtail Kingfish, Bonito and Blue Mackerel have already been spotted in the new reef.
