Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
The Whitsundays is a world-renowned fishing destination, offering a diverse range of options for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.
With stunning scenery and abundant marine life, the Whitsundays is the perfect place to catch your next big fish.
Freshwater fishing
Freshwater fishing is not always the first thought for fishing in the Whitsunday Islands, but there are many estuaries on the mainland and islands that are accessible and provide a challenge to novices and seasoned freshwater anglers.
Exploring the estuaries is for the adventurous, as most involve a wet and muddy trek along creek beds.
Lake Proserpine is one of the best places for easy-to-access freshwater fishing in the Whitsundays.
This barramundi impoundment holds the most barra over 1m of any in Australia.
Making it the ideal spot for some friendly competition.
Lake Proserpine is also the newest campground on the Whitsundays, with unpowered grass sites and glamping tents available.
The site has amenities, barbecue facilities and campfire provisions on site.
Located on the water’s edge and with a floating pontoon jetty not far away, a couple of days camped out chasing big barra sounds mighty fine.
Saltwater fishing
Saltwater fishing in the Whitsundays is something else – the fish are big, the scenery is top notch, and the thrill of the chase is interspersed with turtles, dolphins and humpback whales between June and September.
Fishing within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park means many green and yellow zones and the added hazard of snorkellers.
But with the right approach, these are easily navigated.
The general rule for snorkellers is to not swim where you fish or fish where someone else is swimming – this keeps everyone safe and ensures no finned species get too curious.
The easiest way to track your zones is with a zoning map – available online or in local tackle shops.
While you’re in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you’re likely to see lots of marine life.
It’s exciting both the first time and the one hundredth time you spot a turtle or whale.
To assist with the tracking of marine life inside the marine park, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has put together the ‘Eye on the Reef’ app, which allows every user to log sightings and photos of marine life they see.
To help the Whitsundays marine life, we encourage everyone to download the Eye on the Reef app to track marine life sightings.
Live aboard fishing
New to the fishing scene in the Whitsundays or want to extend your fishing time without hindering the holiday?
Chartering a bareboat – a crewless boat you hire for a week to take yourself out and about the islands – is the best way to get the most fishing into your holiday, while exploring the Whitsunday Islands.
Need something more ‘done for you’ and guided?
Charter one of the luxury yachts that call Coral Sea Marina home and spend your time fishing and relaxing in luxury.
Complete with a skipper, stewardess and even a chef if you want one, this is the most luxurious way to experience the Whitsunday Islands.
No matter your capabilities or budget, you’ll have a great time fishing in the Whitsundays.
So, what are you waiting for?
