An Anglers Guide to Rockhampton's Barra Season

READY TO BAG THAT BARRA?

As the Home of the Barramundi, Rockhampton is the only city in Australia where you can fly in, check in and boat out in less than an hour, and target trophy size barra right in the heart of the CBD.

The Fitzroy River (Tunuba) is the heart of Rockhampton City and famous for Barramundi, pronounced “bardda moon di” by the Darumbal people.

With plenty of sunshine and warm winter weather, Rockhampton is a prime fishing destination to chase that barra PB.  

BARRA SEASON IS BACK, BABY!

If you’re a keen angler like us, we’re pretty excited the 2022 barramundi season is officially here!

Starting at midday on 1 February each year, Barramundi Season stretches right through till midday on 1 November and allows you to target barramundi and take home your catch.

When the season closes, barramundi must not be targeted to allow the fish to spawn. If you happen to catch a Barra within season close, just remember to release it back into the water.  

tell me more

Barra are a fast growing fish and commonly reach legal size in just three years. They can attain trophy sizes of a metre and more in as little as six or seven years, and may survive well into their teens.  

Freshwater barramundi have a darker upper body, golden underbody, and a thick tail. When found in freshwater, particularly in land-locked billabongs or lagoons, the barramundi will have large fat deposits.

Saltwater barramundi have a blue or green-grey colour on their upper body, silver on the lower body, and usually have very little internal fatty tissue.

The legal size range for Barramundi in Rockhampton is 580mm to 1200mm (58 to 120cm), with anglers allowed to keep five fish per day. However, the Rockhampton Recreational Fishing Voluntary Code of Practice (VCP) encourages keeping just two fish per day between 580 and 1000mm (58 and 100cm). 

where to wet a line

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.

Accessing the water is easy, whether you have a boat, a charter or just a fishing rod and a dream! Check out our full list of boat ramps and land based fishing pontoons.

We've listed the main areas where you can fish in our region below.

FITZROY RIVER (TUNUBA)

There are plenty of fishing spots along the Fitzroy River (Tunuba) allowing you to choose your fishing adventure right in the heart of town.  

The freshwater side of the river is mostly sheltered with two boat ramps and one pontoon, offering access from both the north and south side of Rockhampton.

The saltwater side of the river has seven fishing spots with a range of boat ramps, pontoons, a jetty, and a 4WD access fishing spot available.

PORT ALMA

Port Alma is a 45 minute drive south of Rockhampton and 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. It is also the set-off point for offshore fishing, as well as a location for fly fishing.

know what the locals know

Read on for some hot tips from the locals on how to bag a barra:

• Stationing yourself around the pillars of the old Fitzroy Bridge and using a soft plastic lure can yield results
• Use live prawns from the land based fishing areas at Koongal, Queens Park and North Rockhampton Boat ramp towards the top of the tide
• Aim for lure based fishing (hard bodies) around the structures at the Depot Hill land based fishing area (at the riverbank at Lucius Street)
• If you’ve got a boat, head to the stretch of river from Devils Elbow to the top of Teys
• Tanaki Rocks at low tide near the new bridge is another great spot – lures recommended!
• Generally speaking, the warmer months are best within Barramundi Season, but with Rocky’s mild winters, the barra never really stop biting!
• The best tides for lure and fly fishing for Barra are the last half of the run-out and the first part of the run-in, especially two or three days after a neap tide (smallest tidal movements) and as the tidal range starts to build towards the spring tides. 

settle in for the night

Looking for a place to stay after your Rockhampton fishing adventure? Check out these options below:

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Written by Explore Rockhampton
@explorerockhampton