Deals > Experience > Fishing > Estuary fishing
Daly River
Located 210 kilometres south-west of Darwin, the Daly River is one of the Northern Territory's top estuary fishing spots and has been reserved for recreational barramundi fishing only. The Daly River boasts some of the biggest barra ever caught, and is home to the annual NT Barra Classic and the NT Barra Nationals fishing tournaments.
Victoria River
The mighty Victoria River is situated on the Northern Territory's west coast. The Victoria is an enormous river and a great site for estuary fishing due to large stocks of barra. The township of Timber Creek, located on the river about 250 kilometres from Katherine along the Victoria Highway, has good facilities for the visiting angler.
Mary River
Reserved for recreational fishing only, the Mary River is home to large barramundi during the prime period of March to May. Access to the estuary fishing hotspot of Shady Camp is via the Arnhem Highway. Exercise caution with regards to the large numbers of estuarine crocodiles in the area.
Mangrove Jack
Mangrove Jack are found in mangrove lined tidal creeks and inlets along the Northern Territory coastline. Casting around snags and rockbars should produce the best results. Usually weighing around 1 kilogram these fish put up a worthy fight and make an excellent table fish, especially when baked whole.
Golden Snapper
An excellent table fish, Golden Snapper are common in estuaries across the Northern Territory coast. A great fighting fish, they grow up to 8 kilos and will take barra tackle in the estuaries. Golden Snapper can be caught all year round with the peak season October to December.
The Northern Territory has some of the best estuary fishing in the world.
Fresh and salt water collide along its vast coastline as many tidal rivers meet the ocean, providing the perfect environment for a fishing holiday challenge.
The Daly, Victoria, Adelaide, Finniss and Mary Rivers are some examples of the Northern Territory’s famous estuaries. They stretch from the Timor Sea and wind their way far inland, remaining tidal for many kilometres.
Kakadu National Park is also famous for its excellent estuary fishing. The South and East Alligator Rivers that flow into the Park and on through Arnhem Land from the Timor Sea are favourites for many anglers.
Most estuary fishing will require either trolling over the many hidden rockbars or casting into the smaller creeks that run from the floodplains. These creek mouths are a prime spot to hook a big one, as the fish congregate under the flow of fresh water running into the salt.
Access to the big rivers is easy. There are plenty of public boat ramps at different locations and most are connected via good roads. Join a local guide on a tour – they know the best spots and techniques, and their local knowledge can add an extra element of enjoyment to the experience.
Fish varieties caught in the Northern Territory’s estuaries include threadfin and blue salmon, cod, queenfish, golden snapper and, on the right tidal variance, barramundi. The root systems of the mangroves that line the rivers’ banks provide the ideal place for these fish to lurk.
