Your guide to fishing in the Top End

An experience like no other

With so many exceptional fishing possibilities, you’ll never be left with just a story about the one that got away.

Fishing in this part of the world is about more than just the catch, timeless landscapes, wild rivers, and truly remote destinations make the Top End an unrivalled fishing destination.

Fed by our Monsoon climate, the tropical rainfall during our Wet season creates a rich and fertile marine environment resulting in spectacular fishing right across our 4 seasons. The Build-Up, Wet Season, Run-Off and Dry each have their own unique fishing opportunities to take advantage of and your guide will help you not choose the one that suits you best.

Come aboard our world class guide boats for a Territory fishing experience like no other. From local harbour charters, 5 minutes from your hotel, to live aboard motherships anchored in remote river systems. Alternatively, visit one of our Lodges or Safari Camps located right across the Territory coastline.

When is the best time to go fishing in the NT?

Build-Up – October to December

The hot, humid conditions before the monsoon hits between October and December are perfect for chasing big fish. Known by locals as the ‘Build-Up’, the season gets its name from the rising temperatures and humidity which tells you that the big wet is on its way.

The Build-Up signals the start of the Barramundi breeding season and the perfect time to catch fish offshore, in reefs and in estuaries. If you want to land a Sailfish, Golden Snapper or Black Jewfish, the Build-Up is the perfect time. Fly fishing is also excellent in the calm, windless conditions.
Wet Season – January to mid-March

The monsoonal rains from January to mid-March bring the Top End’s landscape to life with some good fishing on offer during breaks in the weather. Barramundi can take a bit more hunting, but they are usually on the bite in the mangrove creeks and estuaries, like those found in Darwin Harbour.

Bays and creeks are thriving during the Wet Season as Black Jewfish, Golden Snapper, Cod, and Mangrove Jack follow juvenile prawns and small fish to feed. Offshore fishing can also bring some quality catches.
Run-Off – March to April

The ‘run-off’ is hugely popular with both locals and interstate fishermen keen to land a prized Barra. The easing rainfall between March and April brings about the perfect conditions for chasing Barramundi around creek mouths and rivers.

Reef fish also benefit from all the food being flushed down the rivers and out to sea at this time of year. Golden Snapper and Black Jewfish along with species such as Giant Trevally and Golden Trevally are plentiful both on inshore and wide offshore reefs. Bluewater fishing also starts to pick up again with the calmer seas.
Dry Season – May to September

The clear, blue skies and light south-easterly breezes from May to September make for the peak bluewater fishing season. Spanish Mackerel are a prime catch during the Dry as they follow the bait schools along the coast – often in large numbers.

Bait schools also attract Cobia along with Giant and Golden Trevally for anglers chasing a tougher challenge while popular table species like Golden and Tricky Snapper, Black Jewfish, Coral Trout, and Red Emperor are readily caught on both inshore and offshore reefs.

Barramundi are still on the bite in most big tidal rivers with the clearer water clarity following the ‘run-off’. Fly fishing is also a good option during the Dry Season around the shallow, inshore waters in the Top End.

The fishing never stops in the Northern Territory with boundless opportunities to claim an impressive catch, though the four distinct seasons have an influence on the best place to wet a line and which species you should be targeting.

Permits and Regulations

You don’t need a recreational fishing licence in the Northern Territory, however there are rules and restricted zones in place.

Permits are required to enter Aboriginal land and may also be required for access to tidal waters overlying Aboriginal land for fishing purposes. Recreational fishers should also respect and recognise the cultural importance of these waters to traditional owners. Your tour operator can handle this for you before you set-off.

Fish size and bag limit regulations

If you plan to keep your catch you must ensure it is of the legal size required in the Northern Territory and you don’t exceed the General Personal Possession Limit (GPL). The maximum number of fish a person may have in their possession at any time during a fishing trip is 15, though you should only take enough for your immediate needs.

Included within the 15 fish limit, is a species limit for certain fish. More information is available here

Protected species must be released unharmed. You must not keep any of these protected species: all species of cod or groper longer than 1.2m, sawfish, northern river and speartooth sharks, and giant clams.

The possession limits in place help make recreational catches sustainable, share catches fairly among the fishery sectors, reduce local over-fishing, and help stop the illegal sale of fish. Follow the directions of your tour operator, police and authorised persons and you’ll be fine.

Other things to do in the Northern Territory

Fishing is one of the biggest attractions in the Northern Territory, but there is just as much to explore when you’re not on the water including breathtaking natural landscapes and unique cultural experiences. Check out some of these breathtaking attractions while you’re here.

Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage-listed wonder renowned for both its rich cultural heritage and rugged natural beauty.

Located just three hours from Darwin, Australia’s biggest national park covers almost 20,000 square kilometres of inspiring landscapes including thundering waterfalls, lush rainforests, and wandering wetlands.

The Bininj/Mungguy people have long called Kakadu home with more than 5000 ancient rock art sites celebrating their culture and the history of the park. Kakadu also offers some excellent fishing opportunities including Barramundi, however strict rules apply.

Litchfield National Park is just an hour-and-a-half drive from Darwin

It is a favourite among locals for its stunning waterfalls, crystal-clear swimming holes, and pleasant bushwalking trails.

The diverse environment includes natural marvels such as the towering magnetic termite mounds which dot the landscape as well as historic ruins from pioneering days at the Lost City.

The majestic beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge is a must-see experience for any visitors to the Top End.

The park includes 13 impressive gorges carved from the ancient sandstone country which stretch for as far as the eye can see. The sheer size of the sandstone cliffs is breathtaking while the gorge walls also glow different shades of red at sunrise and sunset.

The park can be explored on foot, by taking a boat or canoe cruise, or even by helicopter for visitors keen to swim in one of the harder to reach gorges. Good fishing spots are also plentiful in the region including the Victoria River, Daly River, and Roper River – which is famous for its Barramundi fishing.

There’s no better place to experience Darwin’s thriving multiculturalism than the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.

The market boasts more than 200 unique stalls celebrating the Top End’s food, arts, and culture all set to the backdrop of the spectacular sunset.

Food stalls offer local delicacies such as barramundi, kangaroo, and crocodile while visitors can also browse the endless collection of arts, crafts, and services. The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is open every Thursday and Sunday from 4pm to 9pm throughout the Darwin Dry Season which runs from April to October.

The Tiwi Islands are the perfect destination for intrepid anglers looking for a fishing experience like no other.

The two main islands, Bathurst and Melville, lie about 80km north of Darwin, are accessible by ferry or plane, and boast some great spots to chase Barramundi through the estuaries along with excellent bluewater fishing.

Almost 90 per cent of residents are of Aboriginal descent and the locals are always welcoming to tourists for a range of cultural and wildlife tours. Access to the Tiwi Islands is not allowed without a permit so it is a fishing trip best taken with a guided tour.

East Arnhem Land is one of Australia’s last unspoiled tropical paradises and one of the best fishing destinations in the world.

The pristine waters offer a bounty for anyone looking to cast a line including Mangrove Jack, Red Emperor, Spanish Mackerel, and some of the biggest Barramundi to be found in the Top End.

East Arnhem is also home to the rich Aboriginal culture of the Yolngu people which along with the spectacular landscapes and world-class fishing makes for an unforgettable experience.