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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