Port Douglas
The Dickson Inlet is home to some of best fishing charters in Australia for reef fishing. The Dickson Inlet is a moderately sized estuary system lined with mangroves, feeder creeks and quite a few under water drains. The feeder creeks are worth fishing on the out going tides around the mouths where you will find Grunter, Barramundi, Jacks, Flat head and the usual estuary species. Fishing in the marina is off limits – however these structures would hold some great fish.
The small feeder creek almost directly opposite the boat ramp can fish well on a incoming tide, just past the small mangrove island is a flats section with some underwater drains, here you will find Trevally and Queenfish in the cooler months.
Further upstream are deep holes at every bend and most feeder creek mouths, always worth fishing these deep holes with bait. At the first sharp bend is a rock wall again worth fishing with a hardbodies or soft plastics rigged up with weedless hooks. A little further up from the first bend is a yellow caution marker, the depth is around 5m and the structure sits around 3m (possibly a sunken boat) – fishing around this structure can product good fish. We fished this structure on an incoming tide with no luck, the outgoing tide produced better results, in fact we found this system best on the outgoing tide.
Land based fishing in Port Douglas
The headland and the wharf are great places to drop some bait, there are always a lot of people fishing here catching Bream, Flathead, Grunter and the odd Barramundi. Its worth talking to some of the locals here as they will give you the heads up.
Muddy Creek
Heading further North is Muddy Creek which can only be accessed on mid to high tide, its well worth a fish on calmer days. Muddy Creek holds Grunter, Barramundi, Flathead, Bream, Trevally and Mud Crabs. Fishing Muddy Creek early mornings is the best time, otherwise mid day search for deep snags around 2-3m under as the creek banks do not tend to hold the bigger fish – check the map above for “Muddy Creek Under Water Snag” as it holds some good fish.
Where to go fishing near Port Douglas?
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Muddy Creek
Muddy Creek holds most estuary fish, including Flathead, Javelin, Bream, Barramundi and Mud Crabs. Deep water near the...
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Port Douglas Headland
Head through
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Dicksons Inlet Hole
Deep hole on the East side of the bend holds Golden Snapper and Grunter. A deeper...
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Dicksons Inlet Junction
At the junction where the river meets is a prime spot for Barramundi and Jacks on...
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4 Mile Beach
Great beach fishing on the Southern end of famous 4-Mile Beach in Port Douglas. Fish the...
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Dicksons Inlet Wharf
Flick some lures around the pylons for a good chance at many estuary species. The wharf
Plus, where, when and how to fish every spot!
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Port Douglas Fishing Report for February 2016
As we enter into March the full extent of the wet season is still yet to be determined. Do date it has been a moderate wet season with occasional huge dumpings of... Read more
Fish currently being caught in the Far North Queensland region April, 2016
Barramundi Cobia Coral Trout Emperors Golden Snapper / Fingermark Mackerel Mangrove Jack Red Emperor Spangled Emperor Spanish Mackerel TrevallyRecommended Lures for Port Douglas
Click here to find the best lures for fishing Port Douglas. 5 stars mean this lure has been hand picked for Port Douglas.
Amy Ritchie
says:Hello. Is there a public fish cleaning area in Port Douglas? Thanks, Amy Ritchie
Chris
says:There should be a fish cleaning area close to sugar wharf near the river mouth. There are also hose connections at the dickson inlet boat ramp but fish cleaning close to the boat ramp is not allowed, Otherwise the DPI & Coast Guard offices are located next the boat ramp so you can ask them!
Ray
says:If you go behind the quicksilver were the rocks are there are some good fish there
Fishing Spots
says:Thanks Ray, we haven’t done too much fishing there YET! What kind of fish do you get there?
Ray
says:I need some good fishing spots in port Douglas on a boat
Ray
says:I need some good fishing spots in port Douglas on a boat in the reef
Fishing Spots
says:Hey Ray, we haven’t done much reef fishing near Port Douglas yet. But we have fished east of the Daintree River mouth to the north of Snapper Island. There was plenty of big trevally at the drop off – close to the map marker. Also caught a few coral trout and emperor on soft plastics around the reefs here. East of Port Douglas, I have marked 2 chartered wrecks for you, one is almost directly east, in about 15-20m of water, maybe worth a fish on your way out to the reef. Good luck and I’d love to hear how you go.
tom skipper
says:hi, I am going up to Port Douglas early oct this year. Can you please recommend the best charter for fishing the estuary. I have a son 16 and he is very keen and good fisherman.
Perhaps there is better fishing around carins. I have never been up that way.
please contact by email please