Catch Signal

Mary River and Shady Camp fishing spots

A floodplain river system east of Darwin, famous for barramundi. Shady Camp splits the tidal Mary from fresh billabongs, Corroboree Billabong offers about 45 km of lily-fringed water, and Sampan and Tommycut creeks lead to the river mouth and Chambers Bay. The run-off from about February to May is the peak; the billabongs fish through the dry.

Updated

6 spots here: 3 fished from land and 3 reached only by boat, plus 1 public boat ramp. Seasons follow our Top End (Darwin-Kakadu) species list for the Northern Territory. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.

Under each spot, "Forecast for this spot" opens the app's forecast worked out for that spot: Go, Marginal or No-go for each day of the week ahead, with the best times, wind, waves and tide. Open the forecast.

Spots at a glance

6 spots: Mary River and Shady Camp
SpotTypeFished fromWaterMarine park
1. Shady Camp (barrage and billabong)LakeLand-based and boatFresh waterMary River National Park
2. Sampan CreekEstuaryBoatBay, estuary or riverMary River National Park
3. Tommycut CreekEstuaryBoatBay, estuary or river–
4. Mary River mouth & Chambers BayBayBoatOcean coast–
5. Corroboree BillabongLakeLand-based and boatFresh waterMary River National Park
6. Rockhole (Mary River)RiverLand-based and boatFresh waterMary River National Park

1. Shady Camp (barrage and billabong)

Type
Lake · freshwater lake, dam or river
Access
Land-based and boat. Shady Camp Road off Point Stuart Road (unsealed, wet-season closures). Campground and ramps above and below the barrage.
What's good here
Peak in October: barramundi. Also in season: king threadfin.
Best tide
Fresh side: no tide. Salt side below the barrage: from about half tide up; ramp access there is seasonal.
Best wind
Sheltered; build-up storms bring lightning.
Note
Famous barra spot where a barrage splits the fresh billabong from the tidal river. Within 100 m of the barrage use a lure or fly with a single hook only: no bait, no trebles.
Safety
Very high crocodile numbers: never stand at the edge or lean over the barrage. Remote: carry water and a way to call for help.
Zone
Fishing is allowed in the park under Mary River Fish Management Zone rules, with lure-or-fly-only rules within 100 m of the barrage. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map
-12.50400, 131.72170 · Open in Google Maps (position: Shady Camp Billabong, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

2. Sampan Creek

Type
Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access
Boat. By boat from the Shady Camp salt-water ramp (about half tide or more).
What's good here
Peak in October: barramundi. Also in season: king threadfin, blue threadfin and mud crab.
Best tide
Incoming tide at the mouth during the run-off, when the flow eases and the water clears.
Best wind
Sheltered in the creek; Chambers Bay outside is best in light winds.
Note
Mangrove-lined tidal creek below Shady Camp. Big barra are trolled at its mouth from February to May; work the run-off drains and eddies.
Safety
Very high crocodile numbers. Fast tides and shallow bars: easy to be stranded.
Zone
Mary River Fish Management Zone rules apply; no no-take areas. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map
-12.26910, 131.77370 · Open in Google Maps (position: Sampan Creek, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

3. Tommycut Creek

Type
Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access
Boat. By boat from Shady Camp.
What's good here
Peak in October: barramundi. Also in season: king threadfin and mud crab.
Best tide
Incoming tide at the mouth in the run-off; run-out at the drains later in the season.
Best wind
Sheltered in the creek.
Note
Second big tidal creek reached from Shady Camp. Troll the mouth for big barra in the run-off and cast drains and snags further up.
Safety
Very high crocodile numbers. Shallow bars at low tide.
Zone
Mary River Fish Management Zone rules apply; no no-take areas. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map
-12.28200, 131.69980 · Open in Google Maps (position: Tommycut Creek, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

4. Mary River mouth & Chambers Bay

Type
Bay · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access
Boat. By boat via Sampan Creek from Shady Camp, timed with the tide.
What's good here
Peak in October: barramundi and black jewfish. Also in season: king threadfin, blue threadfin and queenfish.
Best tide
Incoming tide at the river mouth in the run-off; neaps for the shallow offshore reefs. Leave and return near the top of the tide.
Best wind
Light winds; south-easterlies make Van Diemen Gulf rough.
Note
River mouth and run-off creeks along Van Diemen Gulf. Barra and threadfin at the mouth and creek outlets in the run-off; schools of black jewfish on shallow reefs a few km offshore on neaps.
Safety
Huge tides and shallow banks: boats are easily stranded. Open water in Van Diemen Gulf. Crocodiles. Box jellyfish and Irukandji, most likely 1 Oct to 1 Jun but possible all year: stay out of the water.
Zone
Mary River Fish Management Zone rules apply; no no-take areas here. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map
-12.23350, 131.58160 · Open in Google Maps (position: Chambers Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

5. Corroboree Billabong

Type
Lake · freshwater lake, dam or river
Access
Land-based and boat. Corroboree ramp signposted off the Arnhem Highway about 1 km east of the Corroboree Park Tavern; the park also has seasonal 4WD access via the Hardies track.
What's good here
Peak in October: barramundi.
Best tide
No tide: fish early and late, and after dark in the build-up.
Best wind
Light winds; it is sheltered by paperbarks.
Note
Large, lily-fringed billabong with about 45 km of fishable water. Cast surface lures and shallow minnows along lily and timber edges for barra; saratoga are common too.
Safety
Crocodiles live in billabongs too: fish from a boat or well back from the bank. Heat and biting insects.
Zone
Mary River Fish Management Zone rules apply; no no-take areas. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map
-12.70170, 131.63710 · Open in Google Maps (position: Corroboree Billabong, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

6. Rockhole (Mary River)

Type
River · freshwater lake, dam or river
Access
Land-based and boat. Rockhole Road off Point Stuart Road (high-clearance 4WD, seasonal); NT Government ramp.
What's good here
Peak in October: barramundi.
Best tide
No tidal influence at the ramp.
Best wind
Sheltered.
Note
River access in Mary River National Park. Troll and cast snags and rock bars for barra; bank anglers should stay well back from the water.
Safety
Crocodiles: keep at least 5 m back from the edge. Seasonal road closures in the wet.
Zone
Mary River Fish Management Zone rules apply; no no-take areas. Guide only, not for navigation: check nt.gov.au.
Map
-12.72680, 131.66030 · Open in Google Maps (position: Rockhole, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast
Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

1 public boat ramp is listed for Mary River and Shady Camp, with positions from Composite Gazetteer of Australia. Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Mary River and Shady Camp
RampNotesPosition
Rockhole boat rampNT Government ramp off Point Stuart Road via Rockhole Road (high-clearance 4WD, seasonal); no tidal influence.-12.72680, 131.66030
Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Mary River and Shady Camp in October: barramundi, black jewfish, mangrove jack, golden snapper and 7 more. Of the 24 species our Top End (Darwin-Kakadu) list has for this part of the coast, 11 peak in October 2026 and 12 more are in season.

Peak in October: barramundi, black jewfish, mangrove jack, golden snapper, coral trout, red emperor, saddletail snapper, crimson snapper, grass emperor, Moses perch and tuskfish.

Also in season: king threadfin, blue threadfin, mud crab, queenfish, estuary cod, pikey bream, trevally, Spanish mackerel, grey mackerel, longtail tuna, mackerel tuna and cobia.

Out of season in October: banana prawns (best Jan–Apr).

Seasons are closure-aware: a species is never listed as in season, for the area or at a spot, while it is closed there; a closure for part of the area says where. Species links go to our South East Queensland species guides, with Queensland's limits: Northern Territory's own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

No recreational fishing licence or fee for anyone in NT waters (checked 9 Oct 2026). Separate permits may be needed to enter Aboriginal land or intertidal waters over it. Fresh water: No freshwater licence or fee either (checked 9 Oct 2026); the same possession limits apply in fresh water. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Northern Territory's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Mary River and Shady Camp

  • Mary River Fish Management Zone: barra 55-90 cm and 3 per person (1 over 90 cm per boat); king threadfin 3 per person (max 90 cm fork length, 1 over 90 cm per boat). After 3 barra in a day you may keep fishing for barra only with barbless hooks. No cast or drag nets.
  • Within 100 m of the Shady Camp barrage: single-hook lure or fly only, no bait, no double or treble hooks.
  • Mary River National Park: NT Parks Visitor Pass needed for interstate and overseas visitors; book campsites online.
  • No recreational fishing licence is needed in the NT.

Marine parks and no-take zones

The zone notes here name Mary River National Park. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Mary River and Shady Camp

  • One of the highest densities of saltwater crocodiles in the NT, especially at Shady Camp: never stand at the water's edge, and use a solid boat.
  • Tracks are unsealed and many close in the wet season (about November to April): check park access before you go.
  • Remote area with limited phone coverage: carry water, fuel and a satellite phone or EPIRB.
  • Box jellyfish and Irukandji in coastal waters from about October to June.
  • Crocodile country: saltwater crocodiles live in rivers, estuaries, beaches and around islands here. Stay well back from the water's edge, never clean fish at the water, and don't stand on logs or overhanging banks. More.
  • Marine stingers (box jellyfish and irukandji) can be in these waters, mostly in the warmer months: cover up if you wade or swim, and carry vinegar. More.

Northern Territory: official links

Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: NT coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.

Boating: Northern Territory boating safety and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Carry one approved PFD for each person on board in all waters. The NT minimum safety equipment table sets no general wear rule; wearing one is strongly advised.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Coast Radio Darwin (VKD 999).

Marine parks and closed areas: NT fishing rules for specific areas (aquatic life reserves, Kakadu), Reef fish protection areas, Fishing on Aboriginal land (intertidal waters, permits), Garig Gunak Barlu National Park / Cobourg Marine Park, Kakadu National Park (Parks Australia) and Australian Marine Parks (North network).

Northern Territory's official rules: size and bag limits, closed seasons and areas and freshwater rules (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF channel 16 for distress.

Nearby fishing areas

Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in the Northern Territory · all fishing spot guides.

Sources and checked dates