Fishing Borroloola & King Ash Bay
Fisheries management across the McArthur River and Gulf of Carpentaria operates under DPIRD NT regulations, enforcing personal possession limits of 5 Barramundi (minimum length 55cm), 5 Golden Snapper (minimum 30cm), and 2 Black Jewfish (minimum 60cm). Anglers must maintain strict Crocodile Safety precautions across all riverbanks, boat ramps, and mangrove creeks—wading or swimming is strictly life-threatening due to high estuarine crocodile density. Diurnal tidal dynamics generate single daily high/low tide cycles across the Gulf.
Land-based anglers gather along the King Ash Bay Fishing Club pontoon, McArthur River foreshore, and Rocky Creek crossing. Casting 100cm to 120cm deep-diving hardbody lures or heavy soft plastic paddletails off King Ash Bay pontoon during a turning tide yields high-action strikes from wild Barramundi and King Threadfin. Shaded riverbank spots at Borroloola township produce steady catches of Cherabins, Sooty Grunter, and Mangrove Jack on baited traps and lures.
Boating fishers launching from the high-capacity King Ash Bay boat ramp cover 50 km of navigable McArthur River channels into Carrington Channel and the Sir Edward Pellew Islands. Drifting deep river bends and rock bars in 8 to 18 metres depth accounts for heavy catches of Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crabs. Offshore vessels venturing into the Sir Edward Pellew Islands target trophy Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Spanish Mackerel, and Golden Snapper.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- KING ASH BAY FISHING CLUB PONTOON: High-capacity floating pontoon on the McArthur River, offering comfortable land-based casting for Barramundi, King Threadfin, and Golden Snapper. Cast 12cm floating hardbody minnows or 4-inch soft plastic paddletails into deep river eddy currents on a turning tide. Stand clear of the water line and maintain crocodile awareness.
- BORROLOOLA TOWNSHIP FORESHORE: Public riverbank foreshore area near town, providing accessible shore casting for Barramundi, Sooty Grunter, and Cherabins. Work small floating hardbody minnows under paperbark shadows during early morning flood tides. Do not wade in the water under any circumstances.
- ROCKY CREEK CROSSING: Shaded river junction entering the McArthur River near King Ash Bay, offering productive casting for Mangrove Jack, Barramundi, and Sooty Grunter. Work small soft plastic minnows or live prawns under overhanging roots on an incoming tide. Keep clear of soft mud banks along the creek mouth.
- CARRINGTON CHANNEL MOUTH: Tidal mangrove channel bank in the McArthur River delta, offering shore casting for Threadfin Salmon, Barramundi, and Tripletail. Cast 30g metal casting spoons or live mullet into deep water drop-offs on a flood tide. Access requires vessel transport.
- SULLIVAN'S LANDING RIVERBANKS: Remote riverbank reach upstream from King Ash Bay, popular for evening bottom baiting for Barramundi and Mud Crabs. Rig light running sinker gear baited with fresh earthworms or mullet tails into dark water holes. Late afternoon periods produce active feeding bites.
Offshore
- MCARTHUR RIVER S-BENDS: Deep river bends and rock bar channels in the lower McArthur River, holding world-famous Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon aggregations. Slow-troll deep-diving minnow lures or drift live mullet along muddy channel drop-offs during turning tides. Electric trolling motors allow silent boat navigation.
- SIR EDWARD PELLEW GROUP OF ISLANDS: Wilderness island complex sitting 15 nautical miles off McArthur River mouth in 10 to 30 metres depth. Premier bottom bouncing and trolling territory for trophy Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Golden Snapper, and Spanish Mackerel. Requires a sea-going vessel and detailed navigation charts.
- CARRINGTON CHANNEL TIDAL REACHES: Deep tidal mangrove channel connecting the McArthur River to the Gulf, holding dense populations of Mud Crabs, Barramundi, and Mangrove Jack. Set wire crab traps baited with fresh fish frames along mangrove roots on a high tide. Slow-roll soft plastic minnows around submerged snags.
- NORTH ISLAND OCEAN LEDGES: Outer coral and limestone reef channel sitting off North Island in 15 to 35 metres depth. Prolific territory for vertical jigging 150g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures for Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Coral Trout. Diurnal tides generate steady current flows.
- BING BONG CHANNEL LEADS: Deep ocean navigation channel leading into Bing Bong port, holding heavy schools of Black Jewfish, Golden Snapper, and Queenfish. Drift heavy ledger rigs baited with whole squid or mullet over submerged mud bars on an incoming tide. Observe port security boundaries.
Hot Spots
- KING ASH BAY: World-famous Gulf fishing hub delivering top-tier launch access, Barramundi, and Threadfin Salmon.
- SIR EDWARD PELLEW ISLANDS: Remote island archipelago holding bucket-list Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and Mackerel.
- MCARTHUR RIVER S-BENDS: Prolific tidal river reaches famous for giant Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crabs.
- CARRINGTON CHANNEL: Navigable mangrove estuary delivering high-yield Mud Crabbing and Mangrove Jack fishing.
- BING BONG LEADS: Deep shipping channel holding trophy Black Jewfish, Golden Snapper, and Queenfish.
Local Bait Tips
- CAST-NETTED MULLET & HERRING: Harvested using a heavy 10-foot cast net thrown over visible bait schools in McArthur River bends and Carrington Channel. Collect live mullet and herring into an aerated livewell. Rigged on snelled wire hooks, live mullet trigger explosive strikes from Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon.
- LIVE CHERABINS (FRESHWATER PRAWNS): Caught in opera-house traps or cast nets baited with meat frames in upper McArthur River pools. Store live in aerated freshwater containers. Unbeatable live bait for targeting trophy Barramundi and Sooty Grunter around river snags.
- SHORE CRABS (SALLY CRABS): Collected by hand from rock crevices and mud banks along King Ash Bay pontoon at low tide. Target small shore crabs, place them in a damp bucket with wet seaweed, and keep shaded. Rigged through the outer carapace, they represent lethal live bait for Golden Snapper and Mangrove Jack.
- MUD CRABS: Caught in heavy wire crab traps baited with fresh fish frames set along mangrove roots in Carrington Channel and McArthur River creeks. Store live in cool damp burlap bags. Fresh crab claws represent unbeatable bait for large Golden Snapper and Mangrove Jack.
Boat Ramps
- King Ash Bay Boat Ramp (McArthur River / Borroloola):
Located at the King Ash Bay Fishing Club precinct off Batten Road, 50km downstream from Borroloola on the McArthur River, King Ash Bay NT 0854. Managed by King Ash Bay Fishing Club and DIPL NT. Features a high-capacity dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon jetty. Positioned in deep river waters, providing safe all-tide launching for all vessel sizes targeting McArthur River Barramundi and the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands. Facilities feature an extensive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, stainless-steel fish cleaning station, vessel wash-down bay, fishing club bar/dining, marine fuel sales, and campground amenities. Free public launch access.
- Borroloola Town Launch (McArthur River):
Located off Garawa Street on the McArthur River foreshore at Borroloola township, Borroloola NT 0854. Managed by DIPL NT and Roper Gulf Regional Council. Features a concrete slab boat launching ramp extending into the freshwater river channel above the tidal delta. Ideal for launching tinnies and kayaks targeting Barramundi and Cherabins in upper river bends. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, and riverfront parkland picnic tables. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- King Ash Bay Fishing Club & Tackle: Batten Rd, King Ash Bay NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 9861
- Borroloola General Store & Tackle: Garawa St, Borroloola NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 8733
- Shell Borroloola (24-Hour Bait & Ice): Robinson Rd, Borroloola NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 8711
Basecamp & Accom
- King Ash Bay Fishing Club Campground: Batten Rd, King Ash Bay NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 9861
- Borroloola Hotel Motel: Robinson Rd, Borroloola NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 8711
- McArthur River Caravan Park: Garawa St, Borroloola NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 8733
Emergency & Safety
- King Ash Bay VMR / Borroloola Emergency Service: Batten Rd, King Ash Bay NT 0854 - Ph: (08) 8975 9861 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
