The Burrum River flows to sea into Hervey Bay at the town of Burrum Heads.
Most fishing in the river is done around Burrum Heads, an area of shallow channels and drying sandbars.
Whiting and flathead are the main catch, along with mangrove jacks, grunter, queenfish, salmon, cod, trevally, dart, gar, tailor, jewfish and pike.
For those who specialise, barramundi can be found in small numbers.
The upper river is impounded by Lenthalls Dam at the joining of watercourses Harwood Creek, Woolmer Creek and Duckinwilla Creek, near Burrum.
Below Lenthalls Dam the river is impounded by Burrum River Weir No.2, built in 1951, and Burrum River Weir No.1, built in 1900.
The river flows under the Bruce Highway near Howard and past Pacific Haven.
The Isis River joins the Burrum River at the Burrum Coast National Park.
Together, these rivers eventually join with the Gregory River before discharging into the sea.
The river descends 27m over its 31km course. The estuary is 12km long and up to 2km wide.
The catchment area is low and flat and is located between the Burnett and Mary River catchments.
To visit Burrum Heads, from the Bruce Highway take the Torbanlea exit, turn left onto Burgowan Road, and then turn onto Burrum Heads Road.
There are two boat ramps at Burrum Heads, with the larger one having multiple lanes and a pontoon and much more parking than the smaller ramp on nearby Ross St.
There are other boat ramps at Buxton, Walkers Point and Pacific Haven.
The lower river is broad but shallow, forming drying flats, channels and gutters as the tide falls.
Flathead, bream and whiting are king here.
Marine fish and mud crabs move far upstream during dry periods, and heavy rain pushes them back down.
The river has a good run of prawns at times, with numbers varying each year.
Fishing flats edges produces flathead and whiting.
Any rock patch might have mangrove jacks, cod and bream.
Nippers are available on the flats and these are the best bait for big whiting.
Livebaiting upstream holes is a great way to find cod, barramundi, flathead and mangrove jacks.
Note that the upper river and its tributaries are sanctuaries, part of the Great Sandy Marine Park.
The river is known for its tidal current so be sure to anchor crab pots well or put them in eddies or otherwise out of the current.
Expect chop to appear quickly on the biggest tides.
The Black Bank north of Burrum Heads itself has grunter.
Outside the river mouth, Hervey Bay produces a mix of temperate and sub-tropical species, with seasonal pelagics such as tuna and mackerel.
The best time to fish is before holiday periods, as Burrum Heads becomes busy during these times and many visitors are fishing.
If planning to fish during a holiday period, be sure to book holiday accommodation early.
Burrum Heads tides
Burrum Heads coastline at Beachsafe
Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Map
Qld dam water levels
Qld stocked dam permits
Queensland fishing regulations
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