Gladstone has some excellent landbased fishing locations for a range of species.

Local tides are quite large, exceeding 5m, so landbased fishing is mostly done around high tide.

Expect to catch a mix of tropical and sub-tropical species.

Big barramundi and threadfin salmon are realistic targets, with whiting, flathead and bream also popular among local fishos.

Mangrove jacks, cod, queenfish and trevally can all be taken by landbased fishos.

When fishing from land around Gladstone, keep in mind that saltwater crocodiles exist here and they can show up almost anywhere.

Rock walls are arguably the best landbased fishing spots around Gladstone, with the broadest range of species, but local beaches also produce fish.

Here are some local landbased spots to get you started.

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 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 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 east and is a superb whiting fishery.

Gladstone has a popular annual fishing competition called the Boyne Tannum Hookup.

Gladstone fishing is tropical, with barramundi activity best in warm weather, keeping in mind the Queensland closed season that applies to tidal waters.

Jacks, mud crabs and golden snapper (fingermark) are also best in summer.

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.

When Lake Awoonga floods the big barra escape and make their way down the Boyne River, and the fishing goes silly, with landbased fishos getting a share of the big fish.

Eventually the fish disperse throughout the harbour.

Here is a list of recommended tackle for the north.

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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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The South Alligator River lies within Kakadu National Park, on the Top End’s Arnhem Highway.

The river has a sealed boat ramp next to the highway into tidal water.

The ramp is subject to strong currents and at times can have a mudbar that restricts access.

Barramundi are by far the main target and almost all barramundi fishing in the tidal river is done during and just after the wet season when floodplain run-off is flowing.

Boaters go upstream or downstream from the ramp depending on flood conditions.

In the dry season the river forms waterholes in the upper section around Cooinda, many of which can be reached by track and have camping areas.

Cartopper dinghies are generally used in the waterholes, with limited landbased fishing available, keeping in mind large crocodiles are common in all Kakadu waterways.

Yellow Water is one of the better known freshwater locations.

Downstream, outside the river mouth, there is shallow reef around Field Island with large golden snapper and jewfish.

Fishing the South Alligator River is quite complex because of huge tides and sandbars, and the best fishing spots are in a few small areas.

There are detailed fishing spot maps for this river with rockbar micro-charts in the North Australian FISH FINDER book.

Every year the river’s wetlands fill with monsoonal floodwaters and fish life becomes supercharged through the bait cycle.

The wet season and shortly after is the best time to fish the tidal waters, concentrating efforts where bait has collected, especially where clear or green floodwater is flowing into the turbid tidal water.

The freshwater locations are fishable only in the dry season when tracks have dried out.

Wet season fishing requires a boat, although there is a good chance of catching barramundi by casting around flooded culverts, however crocodiles are common and extreme caution is required when fishing from land as saltwaters crocodiles will attack people.

Accommodation near Kakadu is at Corroboree Park Tavern on the Arnhem Highway.

Darwin also has a range of accommodation options.

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South Alligator River mouth tides
East Alligator River mouth tides
Note that the river mouth high tides occur almost three hours earlier than at the upstream ramps
East Alligator Cahills Crossing tides
NT tidal variations
Latest Kakadu access report
Kakadu fishing rules
Recent NT rainfall – important for run-off fishing
NT Million Dollar Fish promotion
NT fishing regulations
North Australian FISH FINDER fishing map book

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Lower Camden Haven River is one of the NSW North Coast’s prime fishing locations.

Watson Taylors Lake and Queens Lake form part of the lower river, and these shallow tidal waters are renowned for prawns and blue swimmer crabs.

There is also bream, luderick, whiting and flathead fishing to be had from the lower rock walls, along with access to the sea for boaters.

The Camden Haven River catchment starts in the Great Dividing Range and runs east through Kendall.

The river flows into Watson Taylor Lake, Queens Lake and Gogleys Lagoon before entering the sea near Laurieton, Dunbogan and North Haven.

The river has bass in the upper reaches.

Perhaps the best landbased spots are the North Haven and Dunbogan rock walls in the estuary, with bream, flathead, whiting and luderick the main catch.

The sea entrance walls produce some quality fish, including big bream, flathead and tailor, with mulloway best after rain.

The best time to fish is early morning or dusk at the turn of high or low tide.

Available local baits include beach worms and nippers.

Queens Lake and Watson Taylor Lake are among the best prawn and crab locations on the north coast.

During the dark moon, prawns run for sea on the run-out tide. Dip or scoop nets are used to catch them. A light is used to see prawns and crabs.

Hand-hauled prawn nets can also be used for prawning. These are 6m long nets dragged through the water by two people. These nets must be registered with NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Boaters must beware the shallow sections in the river and lakes.

There is good beach and rock fishing at Diamond Head, Point Perpendicular and Bonny Hills, with mainly tailor, mulloway, whiting, flathead and bream.

Beach worms are usually readily available but are not easy to catch.

Here is a list of recommended tackle for NSW waters.

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Camden Haven tides
Camden Haven coastline on Beachsafe
NSW fishing regulations
NSW marine parks

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