Fitzroy River — Queens Wharf (Rockhampton)

Rockhampton bills itself as the home of the barra, and the Fitzroy River — Tunuba to the Darumbal people — is why. Below the barrage the river is tidal for about 45 km to the sea, and its town reach runs right past the CBD. Queens Wharf, at the end of William Street on Quay Street, is one of the oldest land-based fishing spots in the city: a solid old wharf beside the riverside parklands, close to parking, with room for a camping chair and a long wait. Barramundi and king threadfin are the fish everyone is here for, with grunter and trevally in between. Not many city centres let you cast for a metre-long barra between errands.

Barra and threadfin feed hardest around the tide changes, so fish the last of the run-out and the first of the run-in. Live prawns or live mullet fished near the bottom are the classic baits; for lures, soft plastics, vibes and shallow-running hardbodies worked near the surface are the local preference. Look for the cleanest water you can find — the fish need to see the lure. The river's prawns run from the town reach to the mouth, but in a crocodile river cast nets belong in a boat, not on the bank. Grunter take prawn and strip baits on the bottom.

Barramundi and king threadfin are the headline fish, with grunter and giant trevally also caught. Barramundi are a 58–120 cm slot with a possession limit of 5, and are closed from 1 November to 31 January. King threadfin are 65 cm minimum, limit 5. Grunter (barred javelin) are 40 cm, limit 10. Trevally share a combined limit of 20. The town reach is part of a commercial net-free zone, and Rockhampton's voluntary code of practice asks anglers to keep no more than two barra and two threadfin per trip and to release barra over 100 cm.

There is no fishing at all within 400 m upstream or downstream of the Fitzroy River barrage, so stay on the wharf and the town reach below it. Clean water after a run of dry weather fishes better than the brown flush after rain. Other town-reach spots include Col Brown Park, Queens Park under the Neville Hewitt Bridge and the platforms at Lucius Street in Depot Hill. Put every scrap in a bin — food left on wharves and pontoons attracts crocodiles. Wharf fishing for barra is a patience game, and the river's tidal range keeps everyone honest.

Queens Wharf is on Quay Street at William Street in the Rockhampton CBD, beside the riverside parklands, with street and council parking close by and public toilets along the riverside. The wharf is flat and close to the car, which suits older anglers and families. There is a drop to the water, so children need close supervision.

The town reach is sheltered from most winds; a strong south-easterly blows up the river and makes lure casting harder. Big tides run hard and muddy; the neaps and the turn of the tide are easier to fish. After heavy rain in the catchment the river floods brown and the fishing slows until it clears. The turn of the tide at dawn or dusk is the prime window.

There are crocodiles in the Fitzroy River, above and below the barrage, including through Rockhampton. Stay at least 5 m back from the water's edge where you can, keep arms and legs away from the edge of the wharf, never stand in 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 river runs fast on big tides; keep children back from the wharf edge.

Barramundi are closed on Queensland's east coast from 1 November to 31 January. From 1 February you can keep barra between 58 and 120 cm, with a possession limit of 5.

No. Fishing is banned within 400 m upstream and downstream of the Fitzroy River barrage. Queens Wharf and the rest of the town reach are well below that zone.

Yes. Crocodiles live in the Fitzroy River above and below the barrage. Stay back from the water's edge, keep scraps out of the water and report sightings on 1300 130 372.