Fitzroy Recreational Fishing Guide

GUIDEFISHINGyour FITZROY

HINTS & TIPS

ROCKHAMPWTELOCONM, EQTUO EENSLAND

Rockhampton sits on the magnificent Fitzroy, the largest river system on
the eastern seaboard of Australia. The Fitzroy River catchment has an area of
156,000 square kilometres, providing prime estuary and freshwater fishing.
Since the time of the dreaming, the Darumbal people of Central Queensland
have known the fish with the large scales as the ‘bardda moon di’. This defines
the Fitzroy River catchment as the genuine ‘home’ of the barramundi in
Australia.
Our region could very well have been designed by fishermen, with an extensive
river, large delta and interconnecting creeks, a bay with islands and reefs, vast
flood plains, billabongs and lagoons. Take a look at the amazing landscape on
offer as you fly into town.
This Fishing the Fitzroy guide will let you choose your own fishing adventure.
Start your fishing journey in Rockhampton, where the barra lure you!

FISHING FOR ALL

Rockhampton’s location on the Fitzroy River makes it ideal for fishing, no matter what age
or stage you’re in. We’re also located on the Bruce Highway – all major Queensland
highways lead to Rockhampton!

TIME-POOR RECREATIONAL RECREATIONAL FISHER WITH YOUR
OWN BOAT: Rockhampton is less than a
FISHERS: Rockhampton’s high-end day’s drive from Brisbane or Townsville.
hotels and done-for-you fishing charters With plenty of holiday houses and
mean you can fly into town, catch some caravan parks, it’s perfect for a short trip
fish and make a great weekend of it on a and a change of scenery.
short time schedule.

G REY NOMAD: With caravan parks along CENTRAL QUEENSLANDER:
the river, Rockhampton is handy for the If you’re from around these parts but not
land-based fisher on their great adventure. close enough to fish every weekend,
If you’re travelling, Mount Morgan’s No. 7 Rockhampton offers a destination with
Dam should be a stop along the way, as it’s fishing, shopping and entertainment for
perfect for the kayak fisher. the whole family.

EXPLOREROCKHAMPTON.COM.AU/VISIT/FISHING

LENGTHS TO REMEMBER 100 200

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries regulates the size and bag limits for Barramundi and King Threadfin. SUPPO
Suggested sizes for catch and release as depicted on this guide is part of the Rockhampton Recreational Voluntary Code of Practice.

SEASONALITY

YOU CAN FISH THE FITZROY ALL YEAR ROUND.

Barramundi season is open from midday 1 February to midday 1 November each year.
Generally, the warmer months are best for barra fishing, but with Rockhampton’s mild
winters, the barra never really stop biting. When barra season is closed, king threadfin
can be found aplenty. During the colder times of the year, the king threadfin are hungry
and will practically jump on a good prawn lure or live bait.

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DID YOU KNOW? 500 580
BARRAMUNDI
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300 400

ORT FISH ALONG THEIR LENGTH (above 400mm+)

ROCKHAMPTON REGION’S FISHING

VOOLUF NPTRAARCYTICCOEDE

If you’re fishing the Fitzroy, check out the Rockhampton Recreational Fishing Voluntary
Code of Practice (RRFVCOP). This voluntary system, endorsed by Rockhampton Regional
Council, outlines community expectations of all fishers within the region.
The code sets out four values:
1. Maintaining healthy fish stocks through sustainable harvest behaviours.

We do this by limiting the take of barramundi and king threadfin to a
maximum of two of each species per trip.
2. Proper care and handling of all fish being released to maximise survival rates.
3. Zero tolerance for illegal fishing activities.
4. Care and respect for the environments where fish live.
These sustainable fishing behaviours mean that our region’s fish will continue to thrive,
creating a playground that you can return to time and again. Sign up to the Code of
Practice at advancerockhampton.com.au/rrfvcop.

DID YOU KNOW?

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long
years

600 700 800 90

KING THREADFIN BARRAMUNDI & KING THREADFIN

(minimum legal size: 600mm) (keep zone: 600-1000mm)

CHOOSE YOUR OWN

FISHING ADVENTURE

In the Fitzroy River catchment’s 156,000 square kilometres, there are thirty-six
tributaries and one of the most diverse ranges of freshwater fish in the country.
On the back of the net free zone regulation, the Fitzroy River and the Fitzroy Delta
are bouncing back, with an increased catch rate and an increase in trophy fish being
caught, particularly barramundi and king threadfin.
The Fitzroy’s fishing adventures run across two domains:

ESTUARY & FRESHWATER

THREFEOMRUTSHTE-FHITAZVREOLYURES

1 A 20 to 30-
gram soft-vibe

2 A deep diving 12
to 15cm minnow

3 3” Gulp! Shrimp
and jigheads

00 1000 1100 1200

BARRAMUNDI & KING THREADFIN BARRAMUNDI

(catch & release zone: 1000mm+) (maximum legal size: 1200mm)

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101099 NOrTH ROCKHAMPTON

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SOUTH ROCKHAMPTON
SOUTH ROCKHAMPTON

MPTON REGION

witt briddggee reaney st 2 4 3ROBERT CLARK DR

WILLIAM ST QUAY ST 1 Fitzroy barra flats

BRUCE HIGHWAY

safety advice

Mobile phones may not have service
in some locations.
Coast Guard UHF Channel 22VHF Marine.
Estuarine crocodiles inhabit these waters,
please be croc wise.

ESTUARY WCHAATTCACNHYO?U
BKAINRGRATMHRUENADDIFIN GRUNTER
Fitzroy River – Saltwater CRABBING

The estuary side of the Fitzroy River is 45km, with plenty
of fishing opportunities to be found. Accessing the Fitzroy
River is easy, whether you have a boat, a charter or just a
fishing rod and a dream!

How do you get there?

1 BOAT RAMP AND PONTOON
Quay Street Boat Ramp, Littler Cum-Ingham Park, Rockhampton City | 4 boat lanes, 1 pontoon

2 BOAT RAMP
Reaney Street, Berserker (access via Bridge St and Goodsall St) | 1 boat lane, 8 car and trailer park

3 BOAT RAMP
Robert Clark Drive, The Common (access via Bridge St and Goodsall St, opposite Callaghan Park
Racecourse) 4 boat lanes, 45 sealed car and trailer parks, 10 sealed single car parks

4 jETTY
Queen’s Wharf, below William and Quay Streets, Rockhampton City

5 LAND BASED FISHING PONTOON
Sir Raymond Huish Drive, Wandal

6 Boat Ramp
7 St Christophers Chapel Road, Nerimbera | 4 boat lanes

Thompson Point
(Thompson Point Road) Gravel 4WD Only, Access at high tide with reasonable unsealed road access
via Nicholls Road. Please keep in mind that navigation is difficult at low tide. For tide times, add 20
minutes to Gladstone tide times.

know what the locals know

The Neville Hewitt Bridge (known as the ‘new bridge’) is an excellent fishing spot, around the
bridges, rock bars and structures. Barramundi and king threadfin are often found in these areas.
Downriver fishing spots include the Cut Through and Devil’s Elbow. The Cut Through is a great
fishing area, with tree branches and logs in the water. Devil’s Elbow (the elbow bend just as you
head out of the Rockhampton CBD) is the first of the deep water bends in the river and has rock
piles that break the water flow as well as old gum trees in the water. This provides the perfect
habitat for both threadfin salmon and barra. When fishing for barra and threadfin salmon, look for
the cleanest water possible as this will give the fish the best chance of seeing your lure!
The most popular baits for barra and threadfin are banana prawns which can be found in the
Fitzroy River from the town reach all the way to the mouth. Cast nets from the boat are the
preferred method of capture. If you are using cast nets, take extreme care as there are crocodiles
in our river system.
You can access Casuarina Creek via the hole in the wall, this is a gap in the rock wall just north
of Thompson Point. Or you can come in from the Port Alma side, which is unique in that it runs
in from both ends. Take care when using the hole in the rock wall as it is only narrow and the tide
runs hard . If in doubt use the next creek along to the south which also links Casurina which is
also good mud crabbing country.

ROCKHAMPTON
DEVIL’s elbOW

6

ROCK BARS
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7

CUT THROUGH

BRUCE HIGHWAY c

P

BAJOOL

7 PORT ALMA REGION

casuarina creek port alma port alma mouth

PORT ALMA ROAD 8

offshore access

RAGLAN creek connor creek

BURNETT HIGH- MOUNT MORGAN

11

BYRNE PARADE

FRESHWATER

Fitzroy River – FRESHWATER
The beautiful freshwater side of the Fitzroy provides anglers the opportunity to reel in
barramundi, golden perch and saratoga.
With access from both the north and south side of Rockhampton, this mostly sheltered area
is perfect for fishing either with powered or unpowered vessels. In the dry season, freshwater

lagoons offer great access to barramundi fishing.

How do you get there? WCHAATTCACNHYO?U
BGAORLRDAEMNUPNEDRCI H SARATOGA
9 BOAT RAMP AND PONTOON
50 Harman Street, Wandal (Ski Gardens boat ramp)
1 boat lane, 20 car and trailer parks, landing area

10BOAT RAMP
Larcombe Street, Kawana
(Access via Glenmore Rd/Macalister St)
1 boat lane, 30 car and trailer parks, landing area

know what the locals know

Woolwash Freshwater Lagoons is accessed via Port Curtis Road and is for land-based fishing only.
When Gavial Creek runs after heavy rain, barramundi actively go between the creek and lagoons from
the Fitzroy River. Extreme care should be taken along the edges of the creek and lagoons,
as crocodiles are regularly sighted.

PORT ALMA WCHAATTCACNHYO?U

Port Alma is 60km south of Rockhampton and is right BKBAILNRUGREATTMHHRUREENAADDDIFFIINN MGOULDDCERNABSSNAPPER
on the south end of the Fitzroy Delta, a massive estuary
system right in the middle of the Rockhampton region.
Port Alma is the main access point for Casuarina Creek,
Inkerman Creek, Raglan Creek, Connors Creek, the Narrows,
the northern point of Curtis Island and Yellow Patch. Port
Alma is also a setting-off point for offshore fishing, as well
as a location for fly fishing.

How do you get there?

8 BOAT RAMP
Bajool – Port Alma Road (at the end of the road) | 2 boat lanes, 15 car and trailer parks

know what the locals know

Offshore access to the southern part of Keppel Bay is available for smaller vessels via the Port
Alma boat ramp. In Keppel Bay, you can bottom bash for species like coral trout, sweetlip and red
emperor, or troll for species like spanish mackeral, cobia and long tailed tuna.
Raglan Creek adjoins Port Alma and runs between Curtis Island and the mainland. This is the
creek to fish for barramundi, thanks to the mangroves and tidal habitats.
Casuarina Creek is larger in size and feeds directly back into the Fitzroy River – it’s a great spot
for king threadfin.
Port Alma Mouth is your hotspot for blue threadfin.

Mount Morgan No. 7 Dam

The Mount Morgan No. 7 Dam is 2km from the centre of Mount Morgan, roughly 45kms south-
west of Rockhampton on the Burnett Highway. The No. 7 Dam is a great spot for family fishing,
with BBQs, a playground and wide-open spaces for the kids to run. The Dam has a speed
restriction on boats, so it’s also a great kayak fishing option.

How do you get there?

11 BOAT RAMP WCHAATTCACNHYO?U
Byrne Parade, Mount Morgan
1 boat lane, 8 car and trailer parks

G(YOELLDLOENWBPEELRLCYH) SARATOGA
REDCLAW

FISHING CHARTERS

REEL FISHING CQ

Reel Fishing CQ Fishing Charters have an owner-operated custom vessel with shade,
offering a range of fishing experiences from targeting barra and king threadfin in
the Fitzroy River system to reef and pelagic species in Keppel Bay. Call to book a
fishing charter service with all the gear, food and drinks supplied.

0499 883 434 facebook.com/reelfishingcq

GUIDED FISHING DOWNUNDER

Guided Fishing DownUnder provides personalised guided fishing charters for lure and
fly anglers in the Rockhampton region, specialising in barramundi, king threadfin, blue
water, flats and freshwater fishing.

0418 187 618 guidedfishingdownunder.com

HOOKED FISHING CHARTERS

Hooked Fishing is a home-grown fishing charter company. Operating primarily in the
Fitzroy Delta and river system, Hooked has two charter boats and experienced skippers.

0455 888 855 facebook.com/hookedfishingcharterscq

CATCHYA BOAT HIRE

CatchYa Boat Hire is the only boat hire company within the Rockhampton Region.
CatchYa is a one stop shop where not only can you hire a boat, but also all the
accessories you will need to go with it for a fun day out!

0484 121 168 catchyaboathire.com.au

MAJOR FISHING EVENTS

BBAARSRHA THWAOTMFEINSH BBOAURNRTAY

JUNE (ANNUAL) SEPTEMBER (ANNUAL) OCTOBER (ANNUAL)

In its first year, the Frenchville Since 2012, the Women That The Rocky Barra Bounty is
Sports Club Barra Bash Fish Barra Classic (WTF) aims iconic as far as barra events
was an absolute hit with a to empower women and go and is the largest of its
number of events and great build their confidence on the kind in Queensland. Set up
prizes. Kicking off at the start water, as well as providing an as a data collecting source
of winter proved to be a great amazing friendly atmosphere back in the 90’s, it has proven
recipe giving Rockhampton for all to enjoy. The classic is invaluable in the monitoring
the chance to show that open to ladies 18 years of fish stocks in the region
barra can be caught in the and over. and is has now been running
cooler months, showcasing for twenty years. Comprising
Rockhampton as an all year of catch and release as
round barra destination. well as tagging, if you are a
serious barra fisho you have
to be in this one!

Visit /fishingthefitzroy
TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON
THE ROCKHAMPTON REGION’S FISHING EVENTS

CHECK SEASONS, BAG AND SIZE LIMITS
EXPLOREROCKHAMPTON.COM.AU/FISHING

#FISHINGTHEFITZROY