Fishing Yeppoon & Keppel Coast
Fisheries management across Yeppoon strictly enforces Queensland DAF regulations, including the annual East Coast Barramundi closure from 1 November to 1 February. Personal possession limits permit 5 Barramundi (minimum length 58cm, maximum 120cm) outside closure dates, alongside Great Barrier Reef Coral Reef Fin Fish closure dates around October and November full moons. The Fitzroy River Net-Free Zone safeguards world-class wild Barramundi and King Threadfin stocks. Crocodile Safety guidelines apply across all estuaries.
Land-based anglers enjoy excellent infrastructure along Rosslyn Bay breakwall, Yeppoon Main Beach jetty, Causeway Lake, and the Fitzroy River foreshore in Rockhampton. Casting 30g to 50g topwater stickbaits or metal lures off Rosslyn Bay breakwall during flood tides yields fast action on Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Spanish Mackerel. The tidal gates at Causeway Lake produce steady catches of Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Silver Trevally on soft plastics.
Boating fishers launching from Rosslyn Bay Marina, Coorooman Creek (Zilzie), Port Alma, or Rockhampton Fitzroy River cover deep river channels, island passages, and outer Coral Sea reefs. Drifting shallow coral gardens around Great Keppel Island and Barren Island in 8 to 22 metres depth accounts for heavy catches of Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Spangled Emperor, and Golden Snapper. Trolling deep minnow lures around rock bars in the Fitzroy River yields trophy Barramundi and King Threadfin.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- ROSSLYN BAY MARINA BREAKWALL: Massive granite rock wall protecting Rosslyn Bay Harbour, offering deep-water land-based casting into Keppel Bay. Cast 40g to 60g metal casting spoons or topwater poppers into rushing tidal currents on an incoming tide. Stand clear of the edge and maintain crocodile awareness along foreshore rocks.
- CAUSEWAY LAKE BRIDGE & GATES: Tidal saltwater lake enclosure between Yeppoon and Emu Park, providing famous land-based casting for Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Trevally. Work 10cm floating hardbody minnows or soft plastic paddletails under bridge shadows during turning tides. Ideal location for wading and family fishers.
- ROCKHAMPTON FITZROY RIVER BOARDWALK: Public urban boardwalk lining the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, offering accessible shore casting for trophy Barramundi and King Threadfin. Work 12cm deep-diving minnows or live mullet around pylon structures on a flood tide. Stand back from the muddy riverbank edge.
- YEPPOON MAIN BEACH FORESHORE: Golden sand beach on the town foreshore, offering fantastic surf casting for Yellowfin Whiting, Tailor, and Trevally. Work small topwater micro-poppers or baited patternoster rigs along sandbar drop-offs at flood tide. Polarized sunglasses help spot cruising fish in shallow water.
- COOROOMAN CREEK MOUTH BANKS: Tidal mangrove creek mouth entering Keppel Bay at Zilzie, famous for Mud Crabs, Barramundi, and Mangrove Jack. Fan-cast soft plastic minnows or live prawns along muddy channel drop-offs during early morning low-wind windows. Wear sturdy footwear and keep clear of soft mud banks.
Offshore
- GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND CORAL REEFS: Submerged coral reef network surrounding Great Keppel and North Keppel Islands in 8 to 22 metres depth. Premier bottom bouncing and jigging territory for trophy Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Spangled Emperor, and Golden Snapper. Anchor upwind and establish a continuous berley trail.
- FITZROY RIVER NET-FREE ZONE: World-famous 60km tidal river estuary in Rockhampton, 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.
- BARREN ISLAND BOMMIES: High-energy rock and coral pinnacles situated 15 nautical miles off Rosslyn Bay in 12 to 28 metres depth. Vertical jigging 120g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures triggers aggressive strikes from Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Giant Trevally. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions.
- PORT ALMA ADJACENT ROCK BARS: Deep river delta channels and submerged rock ledges adjacent to the Port Alma shipping leads, holding heavy schools of Black Jewfish, Golden Snapper, and Barramundi. Drift heavy ledger rigs baited with whole squid or live mullet outside commercial shipping lanes.
- CAPRICORN BIGHT DROP-OFF: Continental shelf drop-off sitting 30 nautical miles east of Yeppoon dropping from 40 to 100 metres depth. Heavy-tackle game fishing zone for trolling skirted lures for Sailfish, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Spanish Mackerel. Requires a sea-going vessel.
Hot Spots
- FITZROY RIVER NET-FREE ZONE: World-famous river estuary delivering bucket-list Barramundi and King Threadfin.
- ROSSLYN BAY MARINA: Premier Capricorn harbour providing safe deep-water ocean launch access and fish cleaning.
- GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND: Iconic coral island network holding trophy Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and Mackerel.
- CAUSEWAY LAKE: Prolific tidal lake offering top-tier land-based casting for Barramundi and Mangrove Jack.
- BARREN ISLAND BOMMIES: High-octane offshore pinnacles holding Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Giant Trevally.
Local Bait Tips
- PUMPING YABBIES (NIPPERS): The extensive sand and mud flats around Causeway Lake and Ross Creek expose prime yabby banks at low tide. A yabby pump and sieve will quickly secure elite live bait for Whiting and Bream.
- LIVE PRAWNS: Cast-netting the muddy drains of Coorooman Creek during a run-out tide is highly productive for Banana and Greasyback prawns. These are essential live bait for extracting Mangrove Jack from the rock bars.
- HARBOUR HERRING: Jigging bait jigs (sabiki rigs) under the security lights of Rosslyn Bay Marina at night produces endless supplies of live herring, perfect for dropping on the Keppel reefs the next morning.
Boat Ramps
- Rosslyn Bay Boat Ramp (Yeppoon):
Located inside Rosslyn Bay Harbour off Vinies Way, Rosslyn QLD 4703. Managed by TMR QLD and Livingstone Shire Council. Features dual multi-lane concrete boat launch ramps (Eastern and Western facilities) equipped with multiple floating universal access pontoon jetties. Protected inside harbour breakwaters, providing safe deep-water launching into Keppel Bay and Great Keppel Island across all weather conditions. Facilities feature an extensive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, stainless-steel fish cleaning tables with fresh water, vessel wash-down bays, marine fuel wharf, Coast Guard basecamp, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public access.
- Coorooman Creek Boat Ramp (Zilzie):
Located at the end of Svendsen Road on the Coorooman Creek foreshore, Zilzie QLD 4702. Managed by TMR QLD and Livingstone Shire Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon jetty. Positioned in sheltered creek waters, providing effortless launching into Coorooman Creek and Keppel Bay. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, boat wash-down taps, and parkland. Free public access.
- Causeway Lake Boat Ramp (Mulambin):
Located off Scenic Highway at Causeway Lake, Mulambin / Yeppoon QLD 4703. Managed by TMR QLD and Livingstone Shire Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp providing sheltered launching into Causeway Lake for tinnies, kayaks, and small powerboats during rough weather. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, shaded parkland, and nearby cafe. Free public access.
- Port Alma Boat Ramp (Fitzroy Delta):
Located off Port Alma Road at the southern end of the Fitzroy River delta, Port Alma QLD 4699. Managed by TMR QLD and Rockhampton Regional Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp providing direct deep-water launching into the southern Fitzroy River delta channels, The Narrows, and Yellow Patch. Bypasses the long river run from Rockhampton. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking and public restrooms. Free public access.
- Rockhampton Fitzroy River Ramp (Gavial Creek):
Located off Wharf Street on the Fitzroy River foreshore at Gavial Creek, Rockhampton QLD 4700. Managed by TMR QLD and Rockhampton Regional Council. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp providing direct river access to the famous Fitzroy River Net-Free Zone for all vessel sizes targeting trophy Barramundi and King Threadfin. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, and night lighting. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- THE SECRET SPOT TACKLE WORLD: 7-9 Charles Street, Yeppoon QLD 4703 | Phone: (07) 4939 1087
- BARRA JACKS ROCKHAMPTON: 99 Denham Street, Rockhampton QLD 4700 | Phone: (07) 4922 4833
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Coolwaters Yeppoon: 760 Scenic Hwy, Kinka Beach QLD 4703 - Ph: (07) 4939 6177
- Rosslyn Bay Resort: 42 Vinies Way, Rosslyn QLD 4703 - Ph: (07) 4933 6333
- Yeppoon Beachfront Caravan Park: 1 Anzac Pde, Yeppoon QLD 4703 - Ph: (07) 4939 3140
Emergency & Safety
- Yeppoon Coast Guard (QF11): 22 Anchor Dr, Rosslyn Bay, Yeppoon QLD 4703 - Ph: (07) 4933 6600 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 21 / 22 (27MHz)
