The Top End’s Arnhem Highway is Australia’s premier “Barramundi Highway,” leading anglers to some of the nation’s best barramundi fishing spots.

Shady Camp is a top destination. This campground and boat ramp area sits by a barrage that separates fresh and tidal water in Sampan Creek, a part of the lower Mary River.

Though Shady Camp itself offers good fishing, it mainly serves as an access point for nearby hotspots within the Mary River wetlands, which extend from the Adelaide River westward through Kakadu National Park to the east.

Upstream, famous freshwater locations like Corroboree Billabong and Hardies Lagoon are popular, though they’re accessible only by road off the Arnhem Highway and not by boat from Shady Camp.

Two boat ramps are located at Shady Camp—one above and one below the barrage.

The saltwater ramp is affected by the tides and is only accessible at certain times unless wet season floodwaters allow more consistent access.

Land-based fishing is popular at the barrage, though anglers should exercise caution as large crocodiles are common, making safety a top concern.

Shady Camp rockbars and nearby coastal reefs are mapped in the North Australian FISH FINDER book.

Fishing seasons at Shady Camp

The best fishing at Shady Camp is typically during or shortly after the wet season.

Popular fishing spots accessible by boat include Sampan Creek, Tommycut Creek, Marsh Creek, Love Creek, Carmor Creek, Thrings Creek, Point Stuart, Wildman River, and Shady Jew Reef.

These creeks are prime barramundi territory, especially during the wet season when feeder creeks flow into larger waterways or directly into the sea.

During calm, warm weather in the buildup season, barramundi fishing can also be productive, particularly on neap tides when waters are clearer.

This region falls under the Mary River Management Zone, and special fishing regulations apply.

Each year, tagged barramundi worth $10,000 are released here as part of the Million Dollar Fish promotion, with a chance to catch a $1 million prize fish.

How to Fish Shady Camp

The barrage itself tends to fish best on big tides, and barramundi over 120cm are possible. Night fishing can be productive, but always remember the potential risk from crocodiles.

In the dry season, the freshwater section offers excellent fishing for barramundi and saratoga, and two trollable rockbars make this a reliable spot.

Large tides may breach the barrage, offering moments of exceptional fishing.

Wet season floods turn the area into a vast inland sea, with barramundi spreading throughout.

As the river level drops, the fishing improves as barramundi gather near floodplain creek mouths along the river and the coast.

Pay attention to the color changes where clear runoff meets murkier tidal water, and look for bait, which is the key to finding fish.

During flooding, it’s best to fish downstream where Sampan and Tommycut Creeks flow below the riverbanks or along the coast.

As floodwaters recede, “greenwater” flow offers strong fishing conditions, with tides often dictating when the fish are most active.

Smaller coastal creeks fish best from the top of the tide down during large tides, and fish over a meter are frequently caught.

Some creek mouths dry at low tide, so plan your exit in advance. Tommycut and Sampan channels, however, are usually navigable.

The freshwater section also features small earth barrages along wetland creeks, which can fish well when breached by rain.

Trolling works at the mouths of Sampan and Tommycut Creeks, while casting is the go-to technique for smaller creek mouths. Use at least 15kg braided line and sturdy Australian-made lures like Reidys and Classics; soft plastics and vibes also perform well.

With netting closures, threadfin salmon have become abundant along this coastline and can sometimes become more common than desired when targeting trophy barramundi.

The coastal waterways here have few rockbars, though rocks extend from around Point Stuart, with drying rock patches in front of Carmor Creek.

Weekdays are typically less crowded at Shady Camp, especially during peak fishing seasons, though there’s usually plenty of space for all anglers.

Take particular care with large saltwater crocodiles and bull sharks common in the area when handling fish.

Offshore, a productive reef for jewfish and snapper is mapped in the North Australian FISH FINDER book, which also details the two trollable rockbars in Shady Camp’s freshwater section.

For discussions about Shady Camp, visit the Fishing Territory forums, or search Shady Camp topics directly here.

Shady Camp accommodation options

There is only camping at Shady Camp barrage.

For a central stay quite close to several prime fishing areas on the Arnhem Highway, consider Corroboree Park Tavern.

Book early if planning a visit during the popular dry season. Darwin also has a variety of charter and accommodation options, so book early to secure a spot.

Chambers Bay tides |
NT rainfall data |
Tidal variations |
Fishing regulations |
Kakadu access report |
Kakadu fishing rules |
Million Dollar Fish promotion |
North Australian FISH FINDER book.

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The Northern Territory’s Daly River is Australia’s top destination for wild barramundi fishing, hosting two of the region’s most prestigious fishing competitions annually.

While many rivers offer quality barramundi fishing, the Daly’s unique combination of wilderness access, vast floodplains, feeder creeks, shaded banks, nearby accommodations, and abundant fish make it unparalleled.

The Daly and Katherine Rivers, often considered one connected waterway, form the Northern Territory’s longest river system. Flowing through the north-west, major tributaries include the King, Flora, and Edith Rivers, all joining the Daly before it reaches Anson Bay, where the Ferguson River also converges.

The river drains a catchment area of 59,000 sq km and is navigable for around 115 km from its mouth. It marks the eastern boundary of an Aboriginal Reserve that extends west to the Fitzmaurice River.

Most fishing activity happens below the Daly road crossing near the Daly River community, where the crossing acts as a barrier for tidal waters. Although the upstream freshwater areas offer sport fishing, most anglers prefer the tidal sections downstream.

The river’s course changes yearly with the wet season. A poor wet season leads to sediment build-up with more sandbars, while a strong wet season often clears sediment and increases navigability. New submerged logs from the wet season also pose obstacles for propellers.

During the dry season, tourist parks near the Daly crossing cater to anglers, many of which have their own launch sites. There’s also a public ramp accessible at most tides, depending on sediment load.

Detailed fishing maps, including key rockbar spots, are available in the North Australian FISH FINDER book.

Extensive discussions on the Daly are also available in the Fishing Territory “FFF” forums … search Daly River topics here.

How to fish the Daly

The river yields the best results following a prolonged, strong wet season. The monsoon rains, usually from December to April, initiate a bait cycle that draws barramundi from the coast to the upper reaches, with some barramundi being released from isolated waterholes upstream.

Most years bring adequate rain for quality fishing, but an especially heavy wet season can make fishing exceptional. The link between high rainfall and successful fishing is evident in local competition results.

Timing is critical, as fishing is generally poor when floodwaters are rising. As the river level drops and water clears, barramundi congregate around creek mouths where baitfish gather. During floods, fishing is often better downstream where the river flows within its banks. Once the floodwaters subside, the “greenwater” period offers excellent fishing.

Both trolling and casting are effective. Most anglers use around 15kg braided lines and robust lures like Reidys and Classics. Heavy nylon leaders (about 40kg) are essential due to the barramundi’s sharp gill plates and spines.

While barramundi remain in the river year-round, many head to the coast as baitfish levels decrease. Sonar helps locate fish, and bait congregations are often indicated by bird activity.

The Daly occasionally produces mangrove jacks and small river jewfish, although not in significant numbers. Threadfin salmon are plentiful near the river mouth.

Giant freshwater prawns are common in the river’s freshwater sections, subject to specific regulations. They, along with live mullet, make excellent bait.

Low river levels reveal rockbars and tree stumps that can be hazardous. Most major rockbars and prime fishing spots are detailed in the North Australian FISH FINDER book. A sandbar at Browns Creek can obstruct at low tide, though there’s typically a small channel around it.

The river can get busy after the wet season and during the tourist season (winter), so weekdays are generally less crowded. Despite the activity, there’s ample space for anglers.

Be cautious around the Daly’s crocodile and shark population, particularly when landing or releasing fish.

The trip down the Daly leads to Anson Bay, an excellent fishing area in its own right. Anson Bay hotspots are also included in the North Australian FISH FINDER book.

Each year, barramundi worth $10,000 are released here as part of the Million Dollar Fish promotion, with some offering a potential $1 million prize.

Several of the $10,000 fish are caught each year, and the $1m was won for the first time in 2024.

Accommodations near the river include, among others, Banyan Farm and Daly River Barra Resort.

The North Australian FISH FINDER book has an associated GPS data card with Daly River rockbars and fishing spots.|

Daly River mouth tides |
Daly River water levels |
Million Dollar Fish promotion |
NT fishing regulations |
North Australian FISH FINDER book |
Million Dollar Fish promotion |
Daly River forum topics.

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Lake Somerset, located 25km from Esk, is a 4200ha stocked impoundment on the Stanley River, a tributary of the Brisbane River.

The dam was constructed in 1959, with Wivenhoe Dam, a larger impoundment, situated immediately below it. Two additional smaller stocked dams, Atkinson and Cressbrook, are also in this region.

Lake Somerset is one of Queensland’s most popular freshwater fishing spots and hosts a major competition each October. Although large in area, it has an average depth of just 9m. Stocked fish include bass, yellowbelly, silver perch, Mary River cod, saratoga, and snub-nosed gar, with bass and yellowbelly being the primary catches.

Other fish species include eel-tailed and fork-tailed catfish, bony bream, spangled perch, banded grunter, lungfish, tilapia, and redclaw crayfish. Lake Somerset is renowned for its large bass, which thrive on the plentiful bony bream baitfish.

Camping options include Lake Somerset Holiday Park (www.lakesomerset.com.au) and Somerset Park Council Campgrounds, contactable at (07) 5426 0108 or (07) 5424 4000. Both areas require camping permits, which can be obtained from the kiosk or ranger station near the wall lookout. Trailer boats also require a permit; for details, call (07) 5427 8100.

Facilities include a six-lane ramp at Kirkleagh, a gravel ramp for low water, and a ramp at The Spit near the dam wall. Daylight access only, except at Lake Somerset Holiday Park, where a gate pin number is needed for early access — call ahead on (07) 5497 1093.

Lake Somerset flows into Lake Wivenhoe, situated about 150km upstream from the Brisbane River mouth.

How to Fish Lake Somerset

Many anglers target the lake’s trophy-sized bass, and in peak spring, it’s common to catch multiple fish over 50cm. Spring and summer offer the best fishing, though fish can be caught year-round near structure. In winter and spring, sonar is helpful for locating fish congregations over open flats.

In autumn and winter, the Kirkleigh area often holds schools of bass. Try the flats on the north side of the campground, near the former Stanley River channel before the timber.

Occasionally, feeding bass drive bony bream to the surface, attracting birds, much like saltwater tuna fishing.

Somerset Dam has limited weedbeds; the best bass fishing is often over flats where schools of fish are located. Finding these schools doesn’t guarantee success, as bite windows can be brief.

During cold winters, fish seek warmer shallow waters. The flats above Kirkleigh, Pelican Point, and Queen Street are popular spots, with fish typically in depths of 6m to 9m.

To reach fish, anglers use half-ounce to 5/8-ounce jig heads rigged on light leaders with soft plastics, blades, or tailspinners. When fish are in shallow water, small deep-diving lures are effective for trolling.

Useful Links:
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