Colmslie Beach Reserve (Brisbane River)

Colmslie Beach Reserve is a riverside park at Murarrie on the lower Brisbane River, where the river widens on its final run past Hamilton toward the bay. It has a boat ramp, a small sandy beach and open bank access, which is unusual this far into the city. The lower river is a highway for king threadfin, mulloway and bream moving between the bay and the upper reaches. The view is of ships and Hamilton apartments rather than mangroves, but the threadfin don't seem to mind.

Threadfin and mulloway are targeted with vibes, soft plastics or live baits fished near the bottom, particularly around the turn of the tide and after dark. A live mullet or a live prawn on a running sinker is the classic threadfin bait. For bream and flathead, cast lightly weighted prawns or small plastics along the edges and over the beach drop-off. Tailor sometimes chase bait into the lower river in winter, so a metal slug in the bag is worth carrying. Keep clear of the boat ramp when casting.

King threadfin are the target fish for most river regulars, and they are most active in the warmer months. Mulloway turn up in every month, with more in winter, while bream are best in winter and flathead in spring. Mangrove jacks are a summer fish around structure. King threadfin 65 cm (possession limit 5), mulloway 75 cm (2), bream 25 cm (30, combined with tarwhine), dusky flathead 40–75 cm (5), mangrove jack 35 cm (5), tailor 35 cm (20).

This part of the Brisbane River is outside the Moreton Bay Marine Park, so the standard Queensland tidal rules apply: up to 3 lines and 6 hooks in total per person, and you must stay with your lines. Because these waters flow into Moreton Bay Marine Park, bivalves and gastropods other than pipis are still no take. Use bait prawns, not supermarket prawns, because raw imported prawns can carry white spot disease. The reserve is busy with boat traffic on weekends, so fish the bank away from the ramp. A slack tide here is short, and the threadfin know exactly when it is.

The reserve is off Colmslie Road, Murarrie, with parking at the boat ramp and around the park. Toilets and picnic areas make it a family-friendly river spot. The beach slopes gently, but the river bed drops off quickly beyond it.

The lower river is wider than the city reaches, so strong north-easterly or south-easterly winds can make the water choppy. Heavy rain upstream brings a fast, dirty flood that shuts the fishing down. Clear water after a dry spell suits lure fishing, and neap tides are easier to fish than big springs.

The drop-off beyond the beach is steep and the current is strong, so don't wade. Bull sharks live in the Brisbane River, so stay out of the water. Watch for boats launching and retrieving at the ramp, and for wake from passing vessels.

Yes. The reserve has open bank access to the Brisbane River, which is tidal water with no licence required. Keep clear of the boat ramp.

King threadfin, mulloway, yellowfin bream, dusky flathead, mangrove jack and winter tailor are the main species, along with bull sharks.

Summer to autumn, around the change of tide and after dark, using live baits or vibes fished near the bottom.