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Where To Find The Best Fishing In The NT
Due to huge open spaces, a warm climate and having the biggest flood plains in Australia, fishing in the Northern Territory is a completely different experience. Combine that with the Northern Territory having the best tropical summer rains in the past 25 decades, and you've got plenty of massive fish that are just waiting to be caught.
There is a huge range of fish to catch when it comes to fishing spots in Darwin and the NT, such as Blue Salom, Black Jewfish, Coral Trout, Cobia, Cod, Groper, Golden Snapper, Tuna, Bream, Mangrove Jack, Red Emperor and Barramundi, which the NT is home to the biggest Barramundi in Australia. So, from Darwin Harbour down to Adelaide River and everywhere in between, here is our complete guide to the best spots for fishing in the Northern Territory.
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Mary River
The stop on our list of the best places for fishing in the NT is the Mary River, which is located less than two hours from Darwin. The Mary River is a fishing paradise that is loaded with plenty of awesome fishing spots such as the Corroboree Billabong, which offers 45km of fishable waters with plenty of bird life and native wildlife to discover. There is also the mangrove-lined Tommycut Creek and Sampan Creek to explore, with February to May offering the ideal opportunities to catch some huge Black Jewfish and Barramundi, with some even reaching up to 1.4 metres in size! There is also plenty of caravan and camping sites in the area plus boat hire options available.
Why you'll love Mary River:
- The best spot for catching massive Barramundi
- Plenty of boat hire options available so no angler misses out
- Lots of accommodation nearby including camping & caravan areas
Dundee Coast
Located about a two hour drive from Darwin, the Dundee Coast is an area that stretches from the Perron Islands to Native Point. And if you are searching for where to find the best bluewater fishing near Darwin, then Dundee Coast is the answer. Nestled in Dundee Coast in Dundee Beach, offering exposed reefs and rocky points that feature plenty of awesome opportunities to cast your fishing rod from the shoreline and catch some Blue Salmon, Barramundi and Black Jewfish. If you are boat fishing and travel about 2km out further, you can catch plenty of Cobia, Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel and Red Emperor.
Why you'll love Dundee Coast:
- Some of the best bluewater fishing near Darwin
- A great spot for catching Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Cobia and Spanish Mackerel
- Plenty of accommodation options available along the coast
Bynoe Harbour
Bynoe Harbour is located just over a two hour drive from the southwest of Darwin and is a massive estuary (which is when an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean). Bynoe Harbour features several access points for eager anglers, with many including boat ramp access, bays, inlets and mangrove creeks. Apart from large Barramundi, you can catch Mangrove Jack, Pikey Bream, Threadfin Salmon and Mud Crabs. There are plenty of deep fishing holes that are perfect for catching some Black Jewfish, but there is also a series of smaller islands that is just offshore that provide a great opportunity for catching various reef fish. If you head down during the dry season, Bynoe Harbour becomes a hot spot for catching huge amounts of Spanish Mackerel.
Why you'll love Bynoe Harbour:
- One of the largest estuaries in Darwin
- Excellent spot for mud crabbing
- The best spot in Darwin for catching Spanish Mackerel during the dry season
Adelaide River
Just a short 70km drive east of Darwin will take you to the Adelaide River, another top spot for fishing in the NT. With a concrete boat ramp just near the Adelaide River Bridge, the spot offers five main creek mouths to fish in, each containing a mammoth amount of large Barramundi to catch when heading down during the hot summer months. For some great clear water fishing, head upstream to Goat Island, which features submerged rock bars and a river mouth that is perfect for catching Saltwater Barramundi, Golden Snapper and Black Jewfish, as well as Mud Crabs. Just be careful if you are heading down during the wet season as the dirt roads around the boat ramps can become almost impassible.
Why you'll love Adelaide River:
- Awesome for catching mammoth saltwater Barramundi during the summer months
- Plenty of creek mouths to fish from
- A great opportunity to catch plenty of Golden Snapper
Tiwi Islands
Made up of both Melville Island and Bathurst Island, Tiwi Islands is located just about 80km north of Darwin. This fantastic estuary spot for fishing in the NT is filled to the brim with Mangrove Jack, Salmon and Barramundi to catch. If you position yourself around the rocky headland area, you are in a prime spot to catch plenty of Black Jewfish, Giant Trevally, Cod, Queenfish and Golden Snapper. Heading over to the Bathurst Island part will provide heaps of fishing opportunities to catch some Sailfish and Marlin as well. However, because this is Aboriginal-owned land, you will need a permit from the Tiwi Land Council before heading over.
Why you'll love Tiwi Islands:
- A prime spot for catching Mangrove Jack, Queenfish and Gold Snapper
- Lots of camping and glamping options available on the island
- Lots of fishing tours available to make sure you find all the best spots
Darwin Harbour
For the holly grail of bluewater fishing in the NT, Darwin Harbour is it. Did you know that Darwin Harbour is just over eight times bigger than Sydney Harbour? That means there are plenty of fishing opportunities to be discovered! Apart from the wide range of fish on offer, Darwin Harbour is also littered with shipwrecks and mangroves, making it an angler's paradise. If you head down during the dry season, you will have the best opportunity to catch fish such as Sailfish and Marlin. However, there is plenty of fish such as Snapper, Black Jewfish and other types of reef fish to catch right throughout the year.
Why you'll love Darwin Harbour:
- Perfect fishing spot in the NT for catching Sailfish and Marlin
- Lots of shipwrecks and mangroves to fish through
- Plenty of fish to catch any time of the year
Discover The Best Spots For Fishing in The NT Today
These are just some of the many awesome spots for fishing in the NT, so get out there and explore the great outdoors of the Northern Territory! Before you head out though, make sure you are fully stocked up on all your fishing needs such as fishing rods, fishing lures, tackle, bait and much more. Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more exciting fishing destinations that you can visit with your friends and family. If you liked where to find the best spots for fishing in the NT, then you might also like some of our other articles for awesome fishing destinations and tips such as:
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