Boat ramps
There are 10 public boat ramps in the region which provide access to fantastic fishing locations both inshore and offshore. There is good fishing near the Cromarty Creek Boat Ramp (which leads into the Haughton River) in Giru and also at the mouth of the river. The Cromarty Creek Boat Ramp is located 49km from Ayr.
The Haughton River is famous for its barramundi but it also delivers catches of whiting and flathead, grunter, mangrove jack and bream.
Barramundi Creek (also known as Morris Creek) is situated 43.6km from Ayr. Barratta Creek provides access to Bowling Green Bay.
The Barrattas area delivers good fishing from the boat ramp with catches of barramundi, cod, mud crabs and mangrove jack possible in the system. The Barrattas is located 42km from Ayr.
Ocean Creek Boat Ramp can be a great spot to chase barramundi, mangrove jack and mud crab. Ocean Creek is located 13km north of Ayr and provides great access to offshore fishing.
Plantation Creek Boat Ramp delivers catches of whiting, bream and flathead. The boat ramp is located 13km from Ayr.
Phillips Camp is situated 20km from Ayr.
Hell Hole Landing Boat Ramp at Rita Island (accessible by vehicle), can deliver good catches of whiting and bream. The boat ramp is 22km from Ayr and offers both creek and offshore fishing access.
Molongle Creek, located in the Whitsunday Shire, is 45km from Home Hill and is often used as a jump off point to Cape Upstart but also delivers good fishing onshore. Species such as whiting, grunter, bream and mud crab can be found in plentiful supply.
Kierle’s Landing provides direct access to the Burdekin River although it is quite difficult to launch a boat from here. Kierle’s Landing is located 18.6km from Ayr.
Groper Creek is one of the best fishing locations in the Burdekin and is located 14.2km from Home Hill. This boat ramp provides access to the Burdekin River, Wallace Creek and offshore fishing. Species such as barramundi, mangrove jack, whiting, grunter, bream and prawns frequent the area.
Wallace Creek is located 20.2km from Home Hill and offers the same opportunities as the Groper Creek boat ramp.
Don't have a boat?
There are plenty of land based options. Groper Creek has a jetty which makes it a perfect place to wet a line or throw out a cast net for prawns.
Alva (Lynch’s Beach) is the place to go for big flathead, whiting, grunter and salmon. Situated just 14km from Ayr the beach is a great place to spend some time wetting a line.
Wunjunga Beach (Beachmount), located 28km from Home Hill, is a fisherman’s paradise. The unspoilt beach is the perfect place to catch bream, whiting, grunter and salmon.
The Burdekin River flows for more than 700km from its source to the ocean east of Ayr. It is known to deliver good numbers of barramundi, sooty grunter, fingermark, giant trevally, mullet, queenfish, flathead, mangrove jack, jewfish, sailfish and Spanish mackeral.
There are several entry points to the Burdekin River on each side.
The Burdekin Dam/Lake Dalrymple in the Charters Towers region, was built for irrigation purposes but is also a fantastic place to fish. The dam is home to barramundi, archerfish, grunter, sleepy cod, longtom, perch, catfish, eels and crayfish. You will need a Stocked Impoundment Permit to fish at the dam.
Onshore fishing
There are plenty of great fishing spots in the region but some of the favourites amongst locals are the Burdekin River, Haughton River, Groper Creek, Alva and the Burdekin Dam. The Burdekin River delta features dozens of sheltered estuaries suitable for small boats.
Offshore fishing
The Burdekin has excellent offshore fishing including around Cape Upstart and the shoals off Alva. It is also a great place to head to the Great Barrier Reef but make sure you check zoning before putting a line in the water.