Fishing Northern Peninsula Area (NPA)...

Recent television documentaries have revealed fishing Cape York is the most rewarding sport fishing in the country.

The top of Cape York is like much of the Northern Territory, relatively free of outside commercial net fishing and this accounts for the healthy state of the fishery, a fact not lost on the hundreds of sport fishermen who annually fly over more recognizable places to the south, to get to the sort of fishing that once existed in these areas.

Sport fishermen too make their contribution, by releasing most of their catch. Proof of the success of catch and release, lies in the recapture of thousands of previously caught and tagged fish. But the top end of the country has another geographical edge. Newly completed bitumen roads and boat ramps have made it possible for all anglers to cross the narrow peninsula from the east to the west coast in just fifteen to twenty minutes.

It's a rare opportunity for short stay visitors (especially those with boats) to explore some magnificent waterways on two very different coastlines. The mainstay of this two-ocean fishery at the top is pelagic species like, queenfish, trevally, tuna and mackerel and places like the Seisia wharf has them in abundance.

As well as great coastal angling the top end estuary fishing options are vast enough to keep anglers busy for a lifetime. There are hundreds of kilometres of well-protected waterways for those who pursue barramundi, mangrove jacks, fingermark and salmon in everything from canoes to roof-topped tinnies. Resident fishing guides delight in introducing family groups as well as the serious angler to a wide variety of fishing experiences.

It all adds up to a feast of fishing options. Comments from some globe trotting anglers go a step further than their Aussie counterparts when they say the fishing here compares favourably to some of the best of the world.



Fishing Weipa...

BARRAMUNDI! Where do you go to catch this fabled fish? That's the number one question on the lips of all Cape York adventurers!

Well, the long kept secret location of Queensland's best fishing spot has finally been revealed! It is the Gulf township of Weipa, a veritable mecca for those seeking the delights of tropical fishing at it's best. Centred on a narrow peninsula between two major rivers, the Embley to the south and Mission to the north, Weipa offers the land based "fisho" easy access to a myriad of fishing spots close to the camping and accommodation centres. It's now been more than twenty years since the Embley and Mission rivers were closed to commercial netting, a factor that guarantees the great fishing in Weipa is set to continue.

Most anglers come to the Cape in search of the legendary Barramundi and these spectacular fighters abound in Weipa's rivers. However, there are plenty of other species readily available to the visitor, including mangrove jack, threadfin salmon, fingermark, queenfish, trevally, grunter, mackerel, cod and jewfish. Mud crabs are another delectable local inhabitant so don't forget your crab pots. Fishing tackle, bait, fuel, outboard and trailer repairs, river and offshore charters and hire boats are available in Weipa so you can bring your own boat, hire one or even hire a trailer for your car topper, while in town. For those who choose not to drive there are daily flights from Cairns to Weipa and then it is only a matter of hiring a fishing guide or a boat, staying overnight at the camp ground or accommodation houses and enjoying some great fishing. Make sure that you check the latest Dept. of Fisheries regulations before any trip as bag and size limits for the Gulf of Carpentaria differ from the rest of Queensland.



Fishing Cooktown...

One of the truly unique features of fishing in Cooktown is that large Spanish mackerel, barramundi, queenfish, trevally and mangrove jack can be caught just by walking onto the public wharf and throwing in a line. The water visibility around the wharf is generally good allowing regular sightings of huge gropers who often swim close to the shore. These gropers are protected. There is easy access to two pristine river systems, the Endeavour and the Annan. Public boat ramps are conveniently located giving you good access to most locations.

If beach fishing is your choice then try Quarantine Bay, Walker Bay and Archer Point to the south and north to The Stone Wall at Marton. The Great Barrier Reef is just 10km offshore offering excellent reef fishing which include good catches of coral trout, barramundi cod, red emperor, nannygai and trevally. The legendary black marlin roam these waters also and charter game boats know where to look for them. Sportfishing safaris with local professional guides are recommended if you really want to get to the action spots. Extended fishing trips into Lakefield National Park can be arranged with local safari companies. A total of 110,000 barramundi fingerlings have been released into the river systems with a target of 20,000 per year over the next five years. The lack of farming and plentiful mangrove estuary systems around the area promote good breeding grounds making Cooktown a place where you are almost guaranteed to catch a fish.