Fishing in Cairns is as close to paradise as you can get. This modern, tropical city has everything you could want from a fishing destination. The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is a stone’s throw away, it has abundant Barramundi and Marlin populations and an impressive offer of quality fishing charters. If you’re looking for an angling experience like no other, then look no further.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the top catches in Cairns, the best ways to get your fish on and some of the top spots. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll be ready to venture off and cast your line. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
What can I catch in Cairns?
We’ve already mentioned some of the prime fishing grounds and a couple of the species you can target in Cairns. That by no means covers it all. From the rivers and flats, out to the reefs and beyond, there’s no end to the amount of fish you can land. If we wanted to cover them all, we’d need to write an entire book – we’re surprised nobody has! But anyway, here’s a rundown of our top catches.
Queenfish
If you’re fishing inshore or nearshore, chances are you’ll find a royal species biting at the end of your line. The Queenfish sure lives up to her lofty title, putting up an incredible, acrobatic fight to escape your hook. In these waters, you’ll even see specimens reaching up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds), so you’ll feel the pull right away.
Fly anglers, in particular, are in for a treat when hitting the rivers or beaches. Meanwhile, conventional anglers can use poppers or a whole host of live bait to entice the bite. The smaller the fish, the greater the chances of finding them schooling, so go for hit, after hit, after hit! However, if you want a monster, then you may need to bide your time. Part of the fun is in the chase!
Trevallies
Another prized species along the flats and on the reefs is the Trevally. Both Golden and Giant varieties of this dazzling creature are on offer in these productive waters. Anglers of all sorts just love testing their skills against them. Much like the Queenfish, these monsters promise to put up an almighty battle to get off your line, but they prefer to dive deep with the bait instead of leaping out of the water.
Get ready for a serious test of your muscles when you hook one. You could have something as big as 20 kilos (50 pounds) on the end of your line, especially if you find a Giant Trevally. Goldies are usually around a quarter of that size. They’re much more elusive, though, so landing one is a true prize. It takes real skill to land either of these beauties, but they tend to show up year-round, so there’s never a bad time to go hunting!
Barramundi
There’s barely a list of fish in Australia that doesn’t mention the famous Barramundi, and for good reason. This tough-fighting yet delicious creature is a staple of any angler’s to-catch list (and diet) across the country. Cairns is no different. In fact, fishing in Cairns and the whole of northern Queensland is often synonymous with targeting this prized species.
Year-round, you’ll find these creatures in the rivers or nearshore waters, taking advantage of the tropical climate. They prefer it when it’s warm, so come during the wet season or just as they’re about to spawn for near-guaranteed action. Beware, though. Their season is closed from November 1–February 1, so we recommend visiting in October, February and March.
Snappers
As you leave the inshore waters behind and head out to the reefs, there’s one species that stands apart from the rest. Dazzling, delicious, and exciting to target in equal measure, Snappers are pretty much all-round creatures for anglers. Try bottom fishing, trolling and even fly fishing when the conditions allow. You could fill the esky with plenty of delicious fish fillets.
Pink Snapper is a favourite when fishing in Cairns, while some more exotic creatures such as Nannygai and Red Emperor are also on the cards. Make sure you have some heavy tackle if taking on an Emperor or Pinky, while even beginners can try their hand against Nannygai. Whatever you go after, however, rest assured that you’re in for a tasty treat afterwards.
Marlin
There’s only one species on every serious angler’s mind when they come fishing in Cairns, and that’s the Black Marlin. Along the Great Barrier Reef and beyond, this majestic creature stands apart from the rest thanks to its strength, agility and beauty. Oh, and anglers have been catching species weighing over 480 kilograms (1,000 pounds) regularly since the 1960s!
This is truly one of the best spots in the world to target Black Marlin, but you’ll want to time your visit right. Come from September through December when these creatures spawn for the best action. Their smaller (but nonetheless exciting) siblings, Blue and Striped Marlin, can be found year-round, along with some impressive-looking Sailfish.
And More!
We said we’d need an entire book to get through the A–Z of fish to target in Cairns. The above list has barely scratched the surface! Inshore, you’ll find Threadfin Salmon, Blue Salmon, Red Bass, Bream, Flathead, Whiting and Cod. Meanwhile, the reefs and nearshore waters are full of stunning species like Coral Trout, Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Mackerel, and more.
If you’re going big game fishing, you won’t be disappointed, either. Alongside world-record Marlin, there’s a range of Tuna species and Wahoo biting, so get ready to get those pulses racing. In short, you’ll pretty much find whatever you want when you come fishing in Cairns.
How to Go Fishing in Cairns
With such a range of species on offer, it’s no surprise that Cairns residents make the most of the angling opportunities at their disposal. Wherever you look, you’ll see some sign of fishing. The town is home to numerous marinas, a handful of piers and the beaches are always dotted with anglers casting a line. Here, we’ll give you a rundown of how to get your fish on.
Land-Based Fishing in Cairns
If you’re looking for a traditional fishing adventure, then you’re in luck. We’ve mentioned the numerous beaches and rivers already, and you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of great spots all along them to set up camp for the day. Bring your own gear and tackle, an esky full of snacks and drinks and a spare one for the catch, and you’re good to cast off.
The estuary and rivers are the prime hunting grounds for land-based fishing in Cairns. Here, you’ll get your fill of Barramundi, Jacks, Trevallies, Salmon, Grunter, Flathead and Fingermark. However, hit the beaches and cast from the surf, and you could add Catfish, Sharks and Queenfish to the list!
Cairns Pier Fishing
Similar to fishing from land, pier fishing gives you that real back-to-basics feeling that fishing is all about. However, you have the added advantage of a vantage point to give you the edge over the fish. Spot your target a mile off and cast with precision while surrounded by other anglers who may even give you a tip or two.
Palm Cove Jetty, north of town towards Port Douglas, is the most traditional fishing structure around. However, in the downtown marinas, you’ll find plenty of productive spots sticking out into the water to give you what you’re looking for. And the best bit? All the nearshore and inshore favourites are within reach!
Cairns Party Boat Fishing
Heading out to the Great Barrier Reef, or even up the local rivers, can be an expensive affair. But party boats give you the chance to make the most of incredible angling without pushing the boat out (pun intended)! If you’re on your own or are a small group, join a group of like-minded anglers aboard a large vessel and you can explore some of the productive fishing spots Cairns has to offer.
These boats won’t take you as far as private charters and you may have to contend with plenty of other lines. But that’s a small price to pay, literally, when the waters are so stunning and the fish are so abundant. Check beforehand if you need to bring your own gear, and you’re in for a fun day out.
Cairns Charter Fishing
Without a doubt, the best way to explore the numerous productive waterways that Cairns has to offer is with a professional guide. A fishing charter in Cairns can be pretty much whatever you want it to be. Explore the river, estuary and flats on a shallow-hulled boat. Hit the reefs with a mid-range vessel. Or go all out aboard a yacht-like vessel to the deep seas and get your hands on a Marlin or Tuna.
Whatever you choose, you’ll have the added benefit of a local guide and their knowledge, and top-of-the-range equipment. You can explore several different spots in a few hours or longer and try your hand at catching pretty much all the fish on offer here. Head out with a fishing charter and you won’t be disappointed. Who knows? You may even get yourself in the record books!
Cairns Fishing Spots
You probably know that Australia is famed for its vast wilderness. But did you know that Cairns is pretty much slap bang in the middle of, well, nothing? That means you can escape the crowds of downtown and find yourself a productive place to cast your line. And don’t forget, the Pacific Ocean is almost endless! Here are some of our favourite places to get the best results while fishing in Cairns:
- Trinity Inlet: With over 90 kilometers of waterways to explore, this estuary is the go-to place for inshore fishing in Cairns. Go after all your favourite shallow-water fish in this calm yet productive body of water.
- Mulgrave River: Just south of town, this productive river is your best bet for targeting freshwater and brackish-dwelling creatures. All along the Mulgrave River and its neighbour, the Russel River, you’ll find peace and action at the same time.
- Palm Cove: We’ve mentioned the jetty, but the beaches around Palm Cove are among the most productive spots in Northern Queensland. Bring the whole family and make a real day of it!
- Yorkeys Knob: Between downtown and Palm Cove, this stunning beach is a great place to set up camp and cast a line. There’s also a marina at the northern end of the beach, with plenty of charters on offer too.
- The Great Barrier Reef: Maybe it’s a little unfair to include a “spot” that covers 2,900 kilometers, but it’s so good we couldn’t leave it out. Wherever you go on this productive coral reef, you’ll find plenty of game fish.
- The Continental Shelf: Head beyond the reef to the real deep waters where things just get bigger and bigger. If you’re looking for a record-breaking Marlin, the continental shelf is where it’s probably at.
Cairns Fishing Regulations
You’re almost ready for your Cairns fishing adventure, but there’s just one thing left to know – what you can and can’t do. The good news is that Queensland doesn’t require fishing licences on open waters, so you can fish without any paperwork hassle. The not-so-good news is that there are plenty of other regulations for you to keep an eye out on.
As we mentioned, Barramundi is strictly regulated, and you won’t be able to fish for it at all between November and February. Other than that, there’s a general limit of 20 fish per day, but some species have stricter limits, including size restrictions. Get acquainted with the limits for your desired saltwater species here and freshwater here.
And You’re Good to Go!
That’s it! We’ve covered pretty much all there is to know about fishing in Cairns. Hopefully you agree that this sounds like heaven on earth. But what better way to prove it than by visiting yourself and getting out on the water? Discover the wonders of Northern Queensland, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and land yourself a trophy or tasty treat in the process!
If you crave more information on how to fish in Australia, take a look at our Australia fishing guide and learn about fish species, hotspots, angling techniques, and regulations.
Have you ever been fishing in Cairns? How was it? Let us know all about your experience in the comments below!
