Gladstone fishing is centred around its impressive harbour and the vast estuary behind Curtis Island that extends through to the mouth of the Fitzroy River.
Fishermen have easy access to a huge range of tidal rivers and creeks which are fertile grounds for fish, prawns and mud crabs.
Big barramundi and threadfin salmon are a regular catch around Gladstone, especially on the Fitzroy side of the harbour.
The harbour also has bottom fish such as jewfish, grunter, fingermark, pikey and yellowfin bream, cod, queenfish, golden (and other) trevally and coral trout.
Mackerel and longtail tuna are seasonal visitors.
flathead, bream, blue salmon and whiting are common on the flats and in creeks.
Local beaches, and the islands, produce some quality whiting, including summer and winter varieties.
Offshore, a mix of southern and tropical species are caught over close grounds such as Rock Cod Shoals.
Further afield in water 40m+ deep, red emperor and nannygai are caught, along with other Great Barrier Reef species.
As the harbour is a busy port the local nautical charts are detailed, with popular fishing grounds such as Rock Cod Shoals marked and easily located.
Anglers can catch emperor, redthroat emperor, coral trout and southern pink snapper on the shallow inshore reefs, along with pelagic fish such as yellowtail kingfish, cobia, and spanish mackerel.
In the estuaries, southern and northern jewfish co-exist, alongside southern and northern bream.
Whiting fishos should try Southend Beach, Farmers Point, the inside of Facing Island, and (further afield to the west) the superb Jenny Lind Creek.
For freshwater fishos, Lake Awoonga, on the Boyne River, is one of Australia’s better stocked barramundi impoundments.
Awoonga was stocked with a range of species in its early days, but barramundi and redclaw crayfish are now the main target.
Freshwater fishos can also try Lake Tondoon (city botanic gardens), Lake Callemondah (behind the K Mart supermarket on the upper Auckland River), the Railway Dam on Glenlyon Road, Wilmott Lagoon (Mount Larcom) and the upper freshwater reaches of the Calliope River.
The upper reaches of the Boyne River and Futter Creek are good spots to chase sooty grunter.
Awoonga’s stocked barramundi move into tidal waters during major flooding, on occasion bringing an excess of big barra into the harbour.
Tagged wild barramundi from the Fitzroy River have also been caught in Gladstone Harbour, demonstrating the movement of barramundi (and probably many other species) from the Fitzroy River through The Narrows behind Curtis Island.
Gladstone landbased fishing spots
When fishing from land, keep in mind that saltwater crocodiles exist in Gladstone waters.
Power station hot water outlet – fishos target warmth-loving barramundi in winter in the warm water outflow. This is a big-fish location so use heavy gear. Follow Hanson Road towards the NRG Power Station and turn left before the bridge.
The marina – coral trout are caught here, along with many other species, including mangrove jacks , barramundi and trevally.
Auckland Creek – this tidal inlet has several jetties, wharves and other structures. Barramundi, blue salmon, queenfish, mangrove jacks , cod, trevally and barramundi. Use cast net catch local sardines, mullet and prawns for bait.
Lilleys Beach – this beach has summer and winter whiting, blue salmon, queenfish, flathead, bream and mackerel. A permit is needed to drive on this beach.
Benaraby Bridge – barramundi, blue salmon, queenfish, flathead, bream, trevally, mangrove jacks on the downstream side. Upstream has mainly mangrove jacks and tarpon. There is a free camping ground on the south bank of the Boyne River. Access off Gladstone Benaraby Road and after the Caltex Service Station.
The Narrows – better fished by boat, but barramundi, salmon and bream can be caught here from the shore on the upper tide.
Turkey Beach – this community is south of Gladstone. There is fishing to be had off the sheltered beach around high tide for most local species, but a boat is a better option. Jenny Lind Creek is to the west and is a superb whiting fishery.
Gladstone has a popular annual fishing competition called the Boyne Tannum Hookup.
How to fish Gladstone
Seasons
Gladstone fishing is essentially tropical, with most barramundi activity best in warm weather, keeping in mind the Queensland closed season that applies to tidal waters.
Jacks, mud crabs, prawns and golden snapper are also best in summer.
Pink snapper are best in winter, and nannygai and red emperor also fish well in the winter months.
However, there is good fishing to be had all year.
Grunter and bream are caught all year. Blue salmon are also caught all year, usually on the rising tide. They show up almost everywhere, sometimes in numbers.
Black jewfish are the most common of the two jewfish species around Gladstone. They are found near deep wharf pylons, but port security rules make it impossible to fish close to international wharves, and security zones can be increased at short notice. Check with Gladstone Port Authority for the latest advice.
During bigger tides, jewfish can be caught in the estuaries around other structure, including gravel banks and sand that drops into deep water.
Tides and weather
Gladstone tides are quite large, exceeding 5m, with the low tides allowing mud drain fishing for barramundi and salmon.
Fish the drain mouths as the tide recedes.
Smaller tides provide clearer water that is better for trolling the creeks, and for chasing pelagic fish within the harbour.
Outside the harbour the reef fish bite well on bigger tides, but current flow may be an issue when bottom fishing in deep water.
The harbour is a busy port, servicing the giant Curtis Gas Project, and skippers should keep watch for shipping at all times.
Anchoring is not permitted in the shipping channels, and skippers must move well their boat well before a ship approaches.
It pays to check the online Notices to Mariners before setting out, as new boating restrictions may apply at any time.
Like anywhere, freshwater fishing quality may be seasonal, depending on recent and long-term rainfall and prevailing temperatures. Warm weather is always best for barramundi.
Bait and tackle
Use 50kg handlines or stout rods and extra-strong hooks for jewfish and reef fish.
Fresh flesh or live baits work best on coral trout and jewfish but frozen squid is a good standby.
Jewfish bite all year but Queensland has an annual catch cap and the fishery is closed when it is reached.
Golden snapper (fingermark) are best using fresh or live bait.
Grunter respond best to fresh bait.
Lure fishing works well in the harbour, and standard outfit for barramundi runs 15kg braid, as big fish are a possibility.
There is also plenty of opportunity for light tackle lure fishing with a spin outfit of 6kg or less.
When Lake Awoonga floods the big barra escape and make their way down the Boyne River, and the fishing goes silly.
Eventually the fish disperse throughout the harbour.
Gladstone tides
Lake Awoonga
QLD dam levels
QLD stocked waters
QLD fishing regulations
QLD marine parks
GBRMPA marine parks
Return to Queensland Fishing Map
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