Fitzroy River Western Australia
Located 150km east of Broome and 80km south of Derby is Fitzroy River and Willare Bridge. The mighty King Sound pushes water into the Fitzroy River. There is free camping along Fitzroy River at the Telegraph Pool. These also a makeshift boat ramp here giving anglers access to the wide shallow waters of the Fitzroy River.
Fishing the Fitzroy River is mostly done by boat, but setting out live mullet along the river is a good way to land barramundi all along the river. The tides rarely affect the waters from Willare pool and upstream. The water is fresh and the barramundi tend to be small in the fresh water along the river. From the Telegraph pool and down stream the tides push in making lure fishing almost impossible.
Land Based fishing Fitzroy River Derby
Live mullet rigged on large #9 hooks with a small sinker is the best bait. Mullet can be cast netted in the shallows, but watch for crocs. Set out a live mullet at night in the deeper pools at the Telegraph, Willare or Yeeda Creek Pools. At night during neap tides and between low spring tides, Barramundi will also take Fizzers worked across the surface. This technique is best during Summer.
Boat Fishing Fitzroy River Derby
A small boat allows anglers to venture further downstream from the Telegraph Pool. The water is shallow with hidden snags, crocs and constantly changing sandbars so navigation can be tricky. Further downstream walking the sand bars and casting lures into the deeper pools around snags is a good way to land Barramundi, Blue and sometimes Threadfin Salmon. Threadfin Salmon can be fickle throughout the river system depending on salinity and rains. Lure fishing is best done during neap tides and Yeeda Creek often produces better results.
During the spring tides, setting out live mullet and letting them drift into snags can be very affective on Barramundi. Heavy leader is often required to pull Barramundi out of thick structure.
Willare Pool and Upstream Fishing
Barramundi are throughout the river system all the way to Fitzroy Crossing and beyond. The Barramundi tend to be small male’s throughout these freshwater areas. They can be targeted on lures however the bite period can be very short. It is not uncommon to fishing all day for no bites, then for an 1 hour catch 5+ barramundi from one snag on a lure.
Live baiting the freshwater reaches is a lot more effective. Again let a mullet or Cherabin drift into a snag and wait.
Myroodah Crossing
Free camping along the river bank of Myroodah Crossing. This a beautiful spot for fishing and camping. The clear waters of the Fitzroy River are best fished after the wet season and during the build up. However the river weeds up fairly quickly making it difficult to use hard body lures. Small boats can be launched sanding creek banks. Although sometimes it is only possible to access 1 or 2 pools before sand bars block access downstream.
Snake Creek
Snake creek is only really known amongst locals. It is accessed through Camballin. During the dry season the creek can be difficult to fish by boat as accesses is limited to only small stretches of the creek, separated by large sand bars. After the wet season is a good time to fish here. Trolling is the most popular method to find Barramundi. The creek is also full of shrimp, which make for great bait. There are also lots of little freshwater Crocodiles.
Yeeda Creek
Approximately 40kms south of Derby, Yeeda Creek runs through Yeeda Cattle Station. The fishing along Yeeda creek can be hit or miss. Tall stories of Barramundi on surface Fizzers at night and soft vibes during the day are common. Also stories of no fish for a full weekend are also common!
Heading downstream from Yeeda Creek on a neap tide is sometimes not possible. The sands bars frequently change. Downstream anglers have better chances of Threadfin Salmon and other species. Upstream produces Barramundi, Blue Salmon, Cod and a random assortment of other species. Again live baiting mullet is the best option here.
During the neap tides, try working the deeper holes on the creek bends for Barramundi.
Boat Retrieve at Yeeda Creek
Where to go fishing near Fitzroy River Western Australia?
- Derby Wharf The odd Jewfish, Barramundi and Catfish during high tides along the jetty.
- Blue Holes Best fished during the neap tides. The deep holes hold Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon and Black Jewfish. The rocky rubble bottoms also hold Fingermark. A sounder is necessary to find ideal fishing locations, most bends have deep holes.
- Point Torment Cast out live mullet with a light sinker on an incoming tide for the chance at a Threadfin Salmon.
- Doctors Creek Plently of Threadfin Salmon, Barramundi and Mangrove Jack up the creeks. Try trolling the mouth for Barramundi on the neap tides.
- Alligator Creek Derby Good spot for live baiting for Barramundi. Check local knowledge before driving across the mud flats.
- Alligator Creek Derby Small boats can be launched here although seek local knowledge first. The creek has Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon, try trolling the deeper pools with hard body lures.
- Snake Creek / Uralla Creek Accessed through Camballin, Snake Creek has Barramundi and is best fished after the wet season. As the water dries up moving along the creek in a boat is limited to small pools. Cherabin and Boney Bream throughout the creek make great bait.
- Myroodah Crossing Barramundi throughout the river however they can be very on and off, only feeding for an hour once a day. Live baiting is the best method. Cherabin and Boney Bream throughout the river make good bait. Camping along the river bank
- Yeeda Creek Surface Fizzer's work on Barramundi at night. Live bait during the day around the small creek mouths and the deeper snag pools.
- Willare Pool Barramundi throughout the pool. Best fished after the wet season. Trolling is a proven technique. Live baiting with Boney Bream and Mullet in the snags and from the shore is very effective.
- Pelican Pool Good spot for Barramundi, not much water at low tide, but a good time to cast lures at the snags. Lots of tidal run during the spring tides.
- Telegraph Pool Drift live mullet into the snags for Barramundi.
- Langi Pool Barramundi throughout the pool. Best fished after the wet season. Trolling is a proven technique. Live baiting with Boney Bream and Mullet in the snags and from the shore is very effective. Camp for free long the river bank, watch for Crocodiles.
- Telegraph Pool Drift live mullet baits into the snags for Barramundi. Trolling up and down the pools also produces Barramundi.
Plus, where, when and how to fish every spot!
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Broome & Kununurra fishing report
Broome Catches Sport fishers continue to encounter fair numbers of sailfish and the odd black marlin north of Grey Shoals. Spanish mackerel have also been found in these waters while longtail and... Read more
Fish currently being caught in the Kimberley region November, 2016
Barramundi Blue Salmon Mangrove Jack Queenfish Threadfin SalmonRecommended Lures for Fitzroy River Western Australia
Click here to find the best lures for fishing Fitzroy River Western Australia. 5 stars mean this lure has been hand picked for Fitzroy River Western Australia.
