Shark forces closure of Lake Macquarie beach as life guards attempt to scare it away A shark like this was spotted at Blacksmiths Beach, near the entrance to Lake Macquarie. A LAKE Macquarie beach had to be closed for more than two hours on one of its busiest days of the year after a shark was spotted lurking beyond the breakers. A helicopter pilot raised the alarm about 9.30am after seeing the shark close to the bathing area at Blacksmiths Beach, near the entrance to Lake Macquarie. Swimmers were cleared from the water and jetskis sent out to locate the shark. A Lake Macquarie lifeguard said crews were initially unable to find the animal but later spotted it about 300m north of the flags. Aerial Patrol scan the surf for threats to swimmers during the summer swimming season. Source: No Source They attempted to herd it back out to deeper water, "but it seemed to enjoy the area so it just kept coming back," the lifeguard said. The beach reopened shortly after noon. The scare follows the sighting in recent weeks of what is believed to be a great white shark inside Lake Macquarie, near Pulbah Island. Anglers at the popular boating spot have reported seeing the shark chasing schools of mullet.