Fortescue River is an hour and half drive south of Karratha. The river has a good camp spot that is fairly popular in winter with caravans. To access the river mouth turn onto the Fortescue River Road, the road is about 23km. During spring tides there is a small river crossing so a four wheel drive is advised.

There is a boat ramp that can be used by boats up to 8m on high tide only, a second recovery vehicle is advised. Launching a small boat is no drama as the ramp is made from rocky pebbles. The river mouth is shallow and should only be navigated on mid to high tide.

Fishing the Fortescue River anglers can expect Mangrove Jack, Flathead, Bream, Threadfin Salmon, Black Jewfish, Cod, Trevally, Grunter and the odd Baramundi. Mangrove Jack and Barramundi are much more likely in the warmer months. Threadfin Salmon and Jew can be caught here all year around.

The mouth of the Fortescue River is fairly shallow, casting lures around the mouth anglers can expect School Mackerel, Trevally, Flathead, Queenfish and even Giant Herring. Near the boat ramp is a deep hole, floating a bait out is a good way to tempt a Jewfish. Using vibes during the neap tides in the deeper waters is great for Black Jew.

Further upstream the river has small but deep 2-4m pools that are cut off from the main river on low tide. These deeper holes are good spots to target Mangrove Jack and the odd Barramundi during the warmer months. In winter there could be Blue Salmon here. These spots can be accessed by four wheel drive, exploring is the key. By boat it is easier enough to go upstream as far as possible then stop and walk the pools. The river eventually turns into freshwater, and for the adventurous angler, the other side of the NW Coastal Highway has deep pools that are well worth fishing for Mangrove Jack.

Fortescue River fishing is best done in a small boat. Cast hard body lures along the mangroves for Mangrove Jack and Blue Salmon. During spring tides Threadfin Salmon can be found in the mangroves and at the mouth of shallow feeder creeks. On the neap tides the threadies are usually in the deeper holes.

Offshore Fortescue River

Good reef fishing starts about 12km offshore from the Fortescue River mouth. Any closer the water is fairly shallow, however there is plenty of Cod, Trevally and Queenfish around the rocky outcrops.