Fishing Kununurra & Lake Argyle
Fisheries management across Kununurra operates under DPIRD North Coast bioregional rules, enforcing strict Barramundi slot limits (minimum 55cm, maximum 80cm; max 2 per fisher) and possession limits for Sooty Grunter, Golden Snapper, and Cherabins. Boating anglers navigating the lower Ord River below Diversion Dam must observe strict Estuarine Crocodile safety protocols. Protecting freshwater river habitats ensures healthy fish populations year-round.
Land-based anglers enjoy iconic sportfishing along Ivanhoe Crossing, Diversion Dam foreshore, Buttons Crossing, and Wyndham port jetty. Casting topwater frogs or hardbody minnows below Ivanhoe Crossing produces fast-paced action on wild Barramundi, Sooty Grunter, and Tarpon. The freshwater shores of Lake Argyle yield endless catches of Silver Cobbler (Catfish) and Sooty Grunter on light tackle.
Boating fishers launching from Lake Argyle Resort marina, Ivanhoe Crossing, or Wyndham Anthon's Landing access diverse freshwater and saltwater environments. Drifting the vast freshwater expanse of Lake Argyle accounts for trophy Sooty Grunter and Silver Cobbler. Saltwater craft launching at Wyndham venture into Cambridge Gulf and the King River delta for trophy Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crabs.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- IVANHOE CROSSING FORESHORE: Famous concrete causeway over the lower Ord River, offering world-class land-based casting for Barramundi and Sooty Grunter. Cast floating hardbody minnows or soft plastic paddletails into white-water foam below the crossing on a steady river flow. Wading onto the flooded causeway is strictly prohibited due to high crocodile density.
- DIVERSION DAM FORESHORE: Sheltered river foreshore area near Kununurra town, providing comfortable fishing for Sooty Grunter, Archerfish, and Barramundi. Work small topwater micro-poppers or baited float rigs along lily pad edges and rock walls. Ideal location for family fishers and kayakers.
- BUTTONS CROSSING (ORD RIVER): Remote river crossing located 20km downstream from Kununurra, offering fantastic casting for trophy Barramundi and Mangrove Jack. Cast deep-diving minnow lures under overhanging paperbark trees and slow-roll them past rock bars. Always maintain crocodile vigilance along riverbanks.
- WYNDHAM ANTHONS LANDING JETTY: Historic commercial jetty precinct in Cambridge Gulf, providing deep-water saltwater casting for Threadfin Salmon, Golden Snapper, and Black Jewfish. Drop heavy patternoster rigs baited with fresh mullet or live crabs into rushing tidal currents on a flood tide. Bring a heavy cliff-net to lift fish up the high timber deck.
- LAKE ARGYLE SPILLWAY SHORELINE: Freshwater lake foreshore area near the dam wall, offering peaceful casting for Sooty Grunter and Silver Cobbler. Cast small metal spinners or baited running sinker rigs along submerged rock drop-offs at dawn. The calm freshwater environment makes this a popular family fishing destination.
Offshore
- LAKE ARGYLE FRESHWATER BASIN: Massive artificial lake covering over 1000 square kilometres, holding vast populations of Sooty Grunter, Silver Cobbler, and Archerfish. Trolling small deep-diving hardbody lures or drifting live prawns around submerged timber islands produces high-volume catches. Electric trolling motors allow silent approaches across calm bays.
- CAMBRIDGE GULF DEEP CHANNELS: Expansive saltwater gulf sitting off Wyndham in 15 to 35 metres depth, holding dense schools of Threadfin Salmon, Barramundi, and Golden Snapper. Drift heavy ledger rigs baited with whole mullet along muddy channel drop-offs on turning tides. Strong spring tides generate heavy current flows.
- LOWER ORD RIVER DELTA: Navigable tidal river channel running from Carlton Crossing down to Cambridge Gulf, offering premier Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Mud Crab habitat. Set wire crab traps baited with fresh fish frames along mangrove roots on a high tide. Slow-roll soft plastic minnows around submerged snags.
- KING RIVER MOUTH (WYNDHAM): Scenic saltwater river delta entering Cambridge Gulf, world-famous for trophy Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon. Slow-trolling deep-diving minnow lures over submerged rock bars during turning tides triggers explosive strikes. Keep electric motors silent around rock bars.
- ADOLPHUS ISLAND PASSAGE: Deep ocean passage connecting Cambridge Gulf to the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in 20 to 50 metres depth. Heavy-tackle sportfishing zone for trolling skirted lures or live baits for Spanish Mackerel, Samson Fish, and Giant Trevally. Requires a large ocean-going vessel and dual GPS navigation.
Hot Spots
- IVANHOE CROSSING: World-famous Ord River causeway delivering bucket-list land-based Barramundi and Sooty Grunter.
- LAKE ARGYLE: Australia's largest freshwater lake world-renowned for Sooty Grunter, Silver Cobbler, and scenic boating.
- WYNDHAM ANTHONS LANDING: Historic Cambridge Gulf pier offering deep-water casting for Threadfin Salmon and Jewfish.
- LOWER ORD RIVER DELTA: Prolific mangrove river system famous for trophy Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Mud Crabs.
- KING RIVER MOUTH: Iconic saltwater river bar delivering top-tier trolling for Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon.
Local Bait Tips
- FRESHWATER CHERABINS (PRAWNS): Caught in opera-house traps or cast nets baited with meat frames in upper Ord River and Lake Argyle pools. Store live in aerated freshwater containers. Unbeatable live bait for targeting trophy Barramundi and Sooty Grunter around river snags.
- CAST-NETTED MULLET & HERRING: Harvested using a heavy 10-foot cast net thrown over visible bait schools in Cambridge Gulf and lower Ord River. Collect live mullet into an aerated livewell. Rigged on snelled wire hooks, live mullet trigger explosive strikes from Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Golden Snapper.
- SHORE CRABS (SALLY CRABS): Collected by hand from rock crevices and sandstone boulders along Wyndham jetty pylons 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.
- LIVE GUDGEON & ARCHERFISH: Caught in shallow freshwater margins of Lake Argyle and upper Ord River using small unweighted hooks baited with bread dough. Kept in an aerated livewell, they represent highly effective live bait for Barramundi around drowned timber.
Boat Ramps
- Lake Argyle Boat Harbour Ramp:
Located at Bamboo Cove on Lake Argyle off Lake Argyle Road, Lake Argyle WA 6743. Managed by the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and DBCA. Features a single-lane unsealed gravel and compacted earth boat launching ramp (GPS -16.1185, 128.7396) providing direct freshwater launching into Lake Argyle. Note: Boaters should assume no on-site restrooms, filleting tables, or lighting directly at the gravel ramp; full resort amenities, toilets, fuel, and dining are located nearby at Lake Argyle Resort (1km up the hill). Free public access.
- Ivanhoe Crossing Boat Launch (Ord River):
Located off Ivanhoe Road on the lower Ord River foreshore near Ivanhoe Crossing, Kununurra WA 6743. Managed by the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley (SWEK). Features a concrete slab boat launching ramp extending into the freshwater river channel below Diversion Dam. Ideal for launching tinnies and bass boats targeting Barramundi and Sooty Grunter. Low tide river flows require cautious outboard navigation over rock bars. Amenities include unsealed vehicle parking and shade trees. Free public access.
- Swim Beach Boat Ramp (Lake Kununurra):
Located off Coolibah Drive near the town center on the Lake Kununurra foreshore, Kununurra WA 6743. Managed by the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley. Features a formal dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp accessing the calm, non-tidal, and crocodile-free waters of Lake Kununurra. Highly recommended as a safe and accessible town alternative for water skiing, tinnies, and kayaks targeting Sooty Grunter and Archerfish. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, shade sails, and grassed parkland. Free public access.
- Lily Creek Lagoon Boat Ramp (Kununurra):
Located at Celebrity Tree Park off Victoria Highway, Kununurra WA 6743. Managed by the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley. Features a concrete boat launch ramp providing direct access to the shallow, timber-lined waters of Lily Creek Lagoon and Lake Kununurra. Access to the main lake is via a marked channel with a strict 5-knot speed limit. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, BBQ facilities, and parkland. Free public access.
- Lions Park Boat Ramp (Lower Ord River):
Located downstream of the Diversion Dam off Victoria Highway near the Dunham River mouth, Kununurra WA 6743. Managed by the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and DoT WA. Features a concrete boat launch ramp providing vital access to the saltwater sections of the lower Ord River, bypassing the dam barrier for Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon fishing. Facilities include unsealed car-trailer parking and shade trees. Free public access.
- Mambi Island Boat Ramp (Lower Ord River):
Located off Parry Creek Road towards Wyndham on the lower Ord River foreshore, Kununurra WA 6743. Managed by the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and DBCA. Features a 2-lane unsealed gravel and mud boat launching ramp extending into the tidal lower Ord River. Requires 4WD vehicle access due to a steep drop-off at the ramp end and heavy mud. High water velocity exists during wet season discharges; extreme caution is required. Facilities include unsealed parking and basic bush camping areas. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Kununurra Tackle World: 3 Messmate Way, Kununurra WA 6743 - Ph: (08) 9168 1100
- Kununurra Hardware & Marine: 12 Coolibah Dr, Kununurra WA 6743 - Ph: (08) 9168 1004
- Wyndham General Store & Tackle: 1 O'Donnell St, Wyndham WA 6740 - Ph: (08) 9161 1002
- Shell Kununurra (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 1 Victoria Hwy, Kununurra WA 6743 - Ph: (08) 9168 1022
Basecamp & Accom
- Lake Argyle Resort & Caravan Park: 1 Lake Argyle Rd, Lake Argyle WA 6743 - Ph: (08) 9168 7384
- Discovery Parks - Lake Kununurra: 20 Lake Hill Dr, Kununurra WA 6743 - Ph: (08) 9168 1031
- Kimberley Grande Resort: 10 Coolibah Dr, Kununurra WA 6743 - Ph: (08) 9168 4000
Emergency & Safety
- Wyndham Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 615): Anthon's Landing, Wyndham WA 6740 - Ph: (08) 9161 1100 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
