Fishing Information

Near the City
After checking in to your accommodation take the time to venture down to the Mackay Harbour — popular with locals keen to catch the big one! Jew, mackerel, trevally, bream, and tuna are the most prominent fish caught. If your luck isn?t running, venture to the Pioneer River. There are many fishing spots available including East Point at the river mouth, (trevally, whiting, bream and queenfish), off Forgan Smith Bridge (whiting, flathead, grunter and bream), and off the rocks beneath the Ron Camm Bridge (barramundi, bream, grunter and trevally). Illawong Beach and Far Beach are an alternative for those without a boat, but you're bound to catch something for your evening meal whether it be a fish, or the beautiful sunset over Mackay.

Charters, Boat Hire and Tackle Shops
When travelling it is sometimes not possible to bring your own boat and fishing gear. Why not book a charter fishing trip on one of our charter vessels. These usually include all tackle, bait, lunch, refreshments and expert local knowledge.

Dams
Venturing out to the Pioneer Valley for the day or even overnight? Call into Eungella, Teemburra and Kinchant Dams where you can experience the fine art of fresh water fishing. Try your hand at fly-fishing, you may catch sooty grunter, sleepy cod and spangled perch. Most include camping facilities,alternatively, you can stay at Eungella Chalet, Broken River Mountain Resort, Finch Hatton Gorge Cabins. Please note that due to new laws, anyone wishing to experience the joys of fresh water fishing is required to purchase a fresh water fishing permit, which is available from any leading fishing tackle shop or Australia Post.

Northern Beaches
Take the drive out to Shoal Point, it provides excellent reef fishing, but the more open section of beach is the spot for whiting, bream, trevally and flathead. Just around the corner call in to Bucasia and Eimeo, they are popular holiday spots that also lure the keen angler. Bream and whiting are regularly caught off the beach. Swing around to Blacks Beach, where whiting and flathead are most likely to be caught, you may even like to try McReady's creek where mackerel and reef fish are in large supply. But if it's not your lucky day, pop into the Seabreeze Resort Hotel or the Lighthouse Seafood Restaurant for a cold ale or a bite to eat.

Hibiscus Coast
20 minutes north, to the mouths of Seaforth & Victor Creeks (whiting, bream, grunter & flathead). The best catches are to be had offshore via the boat ramp at Victor Creek. Nearby Halliday Bay and Ball Bay are good and Cape Hillsborough's popularity continues to grow, with all varieties of fish to be caught around the Cape and in Sand Bay.

Further North
North of the Hibiscus Coast is the popular holiday, fishing and crabbing spots of St Helen's Beach, Midge Point & Laguna Whitsundays. Bowen is also popular with recreational fisherman and holds a fishing competition each year (Bowen Fishing Classic).

South of Mackay
On your way south of Mackay, call into McEwen's Beach and Sandy Creek. They boast top estuary spots with salmon a prize catch at Sandy Creek. Hay Point is an excellent reef fishing area and is regarded as the best place in the region to land jewfish. Grasstree Beach folds around Cabbage Tree Creek, which is a top spot for crabbing and catching grunter. A little further south, Sarina Inlet will give you the chance to catch the barramundi you've always wanted, especially at low tide. Most estuarine fish can be caught off the south or north bank of the inlet at high tide. Carmilla Beach, Clairview and St Lawrence are also popular fishing spots.

Boat Launch Guide
The following ramps are not all suitable at low tides. For more detailed information please refer to your Queensland Boating Guide. Don't forget the Mackay Region's fresh water dams — most have easy access.