Calliope River (Hanson Road Boat Ramp)

The Calliope River meets Gladstone Harbour on the north-west edge of the city, and the reach beside the Port Curtis Way bridge has been a favourite haunt for decades for one reason: the Gladstone Power Station next door warms the water, and barramundi in mid-winter love to sit in it. That makes this one of the few places on the coast where a winter barra is the expected catch rather than a lucky one. There is a boat ramp and car park on the eastern bank just south of the bridge, mangrove-lined banks either side and deep tidal water in between. Some very large fish come out of here, so the joke about bringing a bigger net is not really a joke.

Fish the warm-water zone on the falling and low tide — the incoming tide pushes the warm current upstream and away from the usual spot. Almost every method works: surface lures early and late, deep divers, hard and soft-bodied lures through the day. Dead baits such as squid, mullet, herring and hardyheads are also excellent. Whatever you use, check your knots and leaders, because big fish are regularly hooked here. Bream and jacks take baits fished along the mangrove edges and the bridge structure.

Barramundi are the reason to come, with mangrove jack and bream also caught. Barramundi are a 58–120 cm slot with a possession limit of 5 and are closed from 1 November to 31 January — fish over 120 cm must be released. Mangrove jack are 35 cm minimum, limit 5. Yellowfin bream are 25 cm in a combined limit of 30.

The barra closed season (1 November to 31 January) covers the start of summer; the warm-water fishing is at its best in the cooler months of the open season. Access is off Hanson Road toward the power station: the ramp car park is on the eastern bank just south of the Port Curtis Way bridge. Stay out of the power station grounds and fenced industrial land — fish only from the public ramp area and banks. Keep clear of boats launching at the ramp. Bin your scraps.

The ramp and car park are on the eastern bank of the Calliope River beside Hanson Road in Callemondah, a few minutes' drive north-west of central Gladstone. The car park is sealed and flat; the banks themselves are mangrove and mud, so the ramp area is the practical place to fish. Bring water and plan on facilities back in town. This is not a spot for small children near the water.

The river is sheltered from the trade winds by its banks and mangroves. The tide decides where the warm water sits: the run-out holds it near the outlet, the run-in pushes it upstream. Cold, clear winter mornings are prime, when the surrounding water is coolest and the barra crowd into the warm flow. After heavy rain the river runs brown for days.

The Calliope River is crocodile habitat. Stay at least 5 m back from the water's edge where you can, never stand in the water to cast or to free a snag, don't stand on logs or branches over the water, and only throw a cast net from a boat or jetty. Reel fish in quickly and step back, and cut the line if a crocodile takes interest in your catch. The ramp is slippery with mud and the river runs fast on big tides. Marine stingers, including box jellyfish and Irukandji, occur in Gladstone's waters, typically November to May.

The Gladstone Power Station warms the water near its outlet, and barramundi sit in the warm water through mid-winter. The incoming tide pushes the warm current upstream, so the falling and low tide is the usual time.

Head out Hanson Road toward the power station. The boat ramp car park is on the eastern bank, just south of the Port Curtis Way bridge.

Yes, outside the closed season (1 November to 31 January) and within the 58–120 cm slot, with a possession limit of 5.