Fishing Hervey Bay & Maryborough
Fisheries management across Hervey Bay strictly enforces Queensland DAF regulations, including the annual East Coast Barramundi closure from 1 November to 1 February in tidal waters. Personal possession limits permit 5 Barramundi (minimum length 58cm, maximum 120cm) outside closure dates, alongside protective limits on King Threadfin (minimum 60cm), Coral Trout, and Mud Crabs. Anglers must observe Crocodile Safety guidelines along the lower Mary and Susan rivers.
Land-based anglers enjoy iconic infrastructure along Urangan Pier, Scarness Jetty, Maryborough riverfront boardwalk, and Burrum Heads foreshore. Casting fine monofilament lines or small soft plastics off Urangan Pier during flood tides yields fast action on Longtail Tuna, Queenfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Golden Trevally. The sheltered timber planks along the Maryborough riverfront produce steady catches of Threadfin Salmon and Barramundi on live bait.
Boating fishers launching from Urangan Marina, River Heads, or Burrum Heads cover deep bay channels, mangrove estuaries, and Great Sandy Strait reefs. Drifting the shallow sandflats around Big Woody Island and Moon Ledge in 6 to 18 metres depth accounts for heavy catches of Golden Snapper, Coral Trout, and Sweetlip. Trolling deep minnow lures in the Mary and Susan rivers yields trophy Barramundi and King Threadfin.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- URANGAN PIER (HERVEY BAY): Historic 868-metre timber pier extending into deep bay waters, famous for land-based topwater casting for Longtail Tuna, Queenfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Golden Trevally. Cast 40g to 60g metal casting spoons or live herring under floats on a rising tide. Bring a drop net to land heavy catches from the elevated deck.
- MARYBOROUGH RIVERFRONT BOARDWALK: Public urban boardwalk lining the Mary River in Maryborough, providing accessible shore casting for trophy Barramundi and King Threadfin. Work 12cm deep-diving hardbody minnows or soft plastic paddletails under pylon shadows at turning tides. Stand back from the riverbank edge.
- BURRUM HEADS FORESHORE ROCKS: Public rock wall and beach foreshore at the mouth of the Burrum River, offering productive casting for Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Flathead. Fan-cast soft plastic minnows or live prawns along channel drop-offs during early morning flood tides. Wear sturdy footwear on rocks.
- SCARNESS JETTY: Sheltered public timber pier on Hervey Bay foreshore, ideal for family anglers targeting Yellowfin Whiting, Herring, and Calamari. Float-fish live prawns or squid strips near pylon bases on an incoming tide. Early morning periods yield optimal water clarity.
- SUSAN RIVER MOUTH BANKS: Tidal mangrove river junction entering the Mary River estuary, famous for Mud Crabs, Barramundi, and Threadfin Salmon. Cast live mullet or soft plastic paddletails into deep channel drop-offs during turning tides. Exercise caution near soft mud banks.
Offshore
- MOON LEDGE CORAL REEFS: Submerged coral reef structure sitting 4 nautical miles off Urangan in 8 to 18 metres depth. Premier bottom bouncing and jigging territory for Golden Snapper, Coral Trout, Grass Sweetlip, and Black Jewfish. Anchor upwind and establish a continuous berley trail.
- MARY RIVER TIDAL ESTUARY: Deep tidal river channel winding 40km upstream, holding dense populations of Barramundi, King Threadfin, and Mud Crabs. Slow-troll deep-diving minnow lures or drift live mullet along muddy channel drop-offs during turning tides. Electric trolling motors allow precise boat control.
- GREAT SANDY STRAIT CHANNELS: Sheltered marine passage separating K'gari from the mainland, featuring deep mud-and-sand channels holding Golden Trevally, Whiting, and Mud Crabs. Drift light tackle rigs over weed patches or set crab traps along mangrove margins at high tide.
- BIG WOODY ISLAND BOMMIES: High-energy rock and coral pinnacles situated off Hervey Bay in 10 to 22 metres depth. Vertical jigging 100g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures triggers aggressive strikes from Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Queenfish. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions.
- BURRUM RIVER MANGROVE REACHES: Navigable un-dammed coastal river system, holding wild Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Mud Crabs. Set wire crab traps baited with fresh fish frames along mangrove roots on a high tide. Slow-roll soft plastic minnows around submerged timber snags.
Hot Spots
- URANGAN PIER: Iconic 868m pier delivering bucket-list land-based Longtail Tuna, GTs, and Queenfish.
- MARY RIVER ESTUARY: Prolific tidal river famous for trophy Barramundi, King Threadfin, and Mud Crabs.
- MOON LEDGE: Prolific inshore bay reef holding Golden Snapper, Coral Trout, and Grass Sweetlip.
- GREAT SANDY STRAIT: Protected marine channel offering world-class Golden Trevally and Whiting drift fishing.
- BURRUM RIVER: Scenic northern river system delivering top-tier Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Crabbing.
Local Bait Tips
- HERVEY BAY SAND YABBIES: The expansive tide flats off Eli Creek and Toogoom expose vast yabby banks at dead low tide. Pumping yabbies with a stainless suction pump yields elite live bait for Whiting and Bream.
- LIVE HERRING: Jigging sabiki bait rigs around the pylons of Urangan Pier at dawn produces endless live herring, essential for drifting the deep harbour leads for Golden Trevally.
- MUD CRABS: Setting heavy wire pots along the mangrove roots of the Susan River and lower Mary River on a rising tide yields prime buck Mud Crabs.
Boat Ramps
- Urangan Marina Boat Ramp (Hervey Bay):
Located inside Urangan Boat Harbour off Buccaneer Drive, Urangan QLD 4655. Managed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Queensland and Fraser Coast Regional Council. Features a premier high-capacity 4-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with dual central floating universal access pontoon jetties. Protected inside harbour breakwaters, providing safe deep-water launching into Hervey Bay, Great Sandy Strait, and K’gari across all weather conditions. Facilities feature an extensive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, stainless-steel fish cleaning station, vessel wash-down bay, marine fuel wharf, VMR 406 basecamp, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public access.
- River Heads Boat Ramp (Great Sandy Strait):
Located at the end of River Heads Road, River Heads QLD 4655. Managed by TMR QLD and Fraser Coast Regional Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon jetty. Positioned at the mouth of the Mary and Susan rivers, providing direct access to the Great Sandy Strait and K’gari barges. TIDAL RESTRICTION NOTICE: Strong 3m tidal currents surge across the ramp face, requiring low-speed boat handling. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, and ferry terminal amenities. Free public access.
- Burrum Heads Boat Ramp (Burrum River):
Located off Ross Street on the Burrum River foreshore, Burrum Heads QLD 4659. Managed by TMR QLD and Fraser Coast Regional Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating finger pontoon jetty. Positioned at the Burrum River mouth, providing sheltered launching into the river and northern Hervey Bay reefs. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning table, and riverfront parkland. Free public access.
- Maryborough Town Ramp (Mary River):
Located off Wharf Street on the Mary River foreshore in Maryborough town center, Maryborough QLD 4650. Managed by TMR QLD and Fraser Coast Regional Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp providing direct river access for all vessel sizes targeting trophy Barramundi and King Threadfin in the deep muddy reaches of the Mary River. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, and riverfront parkland. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- FISHO'S TACKLE WORLD HERVEY BAY: 59 Torquay Road, Pialba QLD 4655 | Phone: (07) 4128 1022
- EASTON'S ANGLERS DEN: Shop 4/8 Pier Street, Urangan (Hervey Bay) QLD 4655 | Phone: 0478 814 268
- URANGAN FISHERIES & TACKLE: Buccaneer Dr (Hervey Bay Marina), Urangan QLD 4655 | Phone: (07) 4125 1455
- BURRUM BAIT AND TACKLE: 4 Burrum St, Burrum Heads QLD 4659 | Phone: 0407 542 505
- COMPLEAT ANGLER MARYBOROUGH: 123 Lennox Street, Maryborough QLD 4650 | Phone: (07) 4122 4793
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Fraser Coast: 2 Normandy Way, Torquay QLD 4655 - Ph: (07) 4125 1103
- Urangan Point Holiday Park: 22 Buccaneer Dr, Urangan QLD 4655 - Ph: (07) 4128 9277
- Ramada Hotel & Suites Hervey Bay: 627 Esplanade, Urangan QLD 4655 - Ph: (07) 4197 0500
Emergency & Safety
- Hervey Bay VMR (VMR 406): Buccaneer Dr, Urangan QLD 4655 - Ph: (07) 4128 9666 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
