Hosted annually by the Junction Inn Fishing Club, the fishing classic, which is held on the Hunter and William rivers, is the Raymond Terrace club's way to get more adults and children involved in the recreation.

"It's also to let people know what the river has got," the club's Debbie Barton said.

"A lot of people don't know the river is full of bream, flathead, jewfish and mullet."

The fishing classic, now in its 10th year, will kick off at 7pm on Friday and will end at 3pm on Sunday.

The cost to register is $25 for adults, and $10 for children aged 16 and under.

Fishing is only on the rivers - which extends to Morpeth and to the Newcastle break wall - off land, jetty, bridge, boat or whatever else you could drop a line from.

Each species has a prize and there are plenty of raffles and other prizes up for grabs throughout the weekend, including a trailer donated by Port Stephens Trailers.

All fish must be presented gilled and gutted to the weigh master at the Junction Inn Hotel by 3pm on Sunday.

If undersized fish are presented to the weigh master, that competitor will be disqualified immediately.

More information on where to fish and bag limits were available on the registration form, which could be picked up from H&D Mitre 10 at Heatherbrae, Tackle Power at Sandgate and the Junction Inn Hotel at Raymond Terrace. Registrations for the competition have to be in by 7pm on Friday.

All money raised from the fishing competition is split between the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and other charities.

As well at the classic, the Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament will be held in Nelson Bay this weekend. For further information on the Bay tournament click here.