Cooktown and the Endeavour River fishing spots

Cooktown fishing centres on the Endeavour River, with its wharf, mangrove banks and sand bars, and the Annan River just south. Expect barramundi, jacks, fingermark, queenfish and trevally in the rivers, rocky bays and points for land-based casting, and reefs a short run offshore. Much of the water off town is yellow zone, so it is one line and one hook each.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

6 spots here: 4 fished from land and 2 reached only by boat or kayak, plus 2 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our Cairns & Far North species list for Queensland. 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: Cooktown and the Endeavour River
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Cooktown wharf	Wharf	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
2. Endeavour River	River	Boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
3. Cherry Tree Bay	Bay	Land-based	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
4. Finch Bay	Bay	Land-based	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
5. Annan River	River	Boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
6. Archer Point	Headland	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

1. Cooktown wharf

Type: Wharf · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. The wharf on the Cooktown waterfront, near the ramps.
What's good here: Peak in October: trevally, queenfish, golden snapper, javelin / grunter and barramundi. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January). Now and then: tiger squid.
Best tide: Run-in and the change.
Best wind: Sheltered from SE by Grassy Hill. Faces ENE.
Note: The town wharf on the Endeavour River mouth. Live bait or soft plastics near the pylons for trevally and queenfish; fingermark and grunter at night. Yellow zone a short cast away.
Safety: No spearfishing within 100 m of the wharf. Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water.
Zone: The water off this spot is a conservation park (yellow) zone: 1 rod or line with 1 hook per person. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -15.45963, 145.24989 · Open in Google Maps (position: Jetty (unnamed in dataset), Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines))
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Endeavour River

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat and kayak. Two ramps on the Cooktown waterfront.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, mangrove jack, golden snapper, king threadfin, queenfish and mud crab. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-in and run-out both fish; avoid the bars at low water.
Best wind: Sheltered upstream; the mouth is open to E.
Note: Wide river with sand and rock bars, snags and mangrove creeks. Yellow and state conservation zones cover much of it: one line and one hook each.
Safety: Snags, sand bars and rock bars. Crocodiles: keep hands and legs inside the boat and never clean fish at the ramp.
Zone: In a conservation park (yellow) zone: 1 rod or line with 1 hook per person. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -15.45920, 145.24640 · Open in Google Maps (position: Endeavour River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Cherry Tree Bay

Type: Bay · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Walking track from Grassy Hill Road or over the hill from the Finch Bay car park.
What's good here: Peak in October: trevally, queenfish and grass sweetlip. Now and then: tiger squid.
Best tide: Higher half of the tide on the rocks.
Best wind: W to SW; exposed to SE. Faces NE.
Note: Small secluded bay below Grassy Hill, reached on foot. Cast lures off the rocks for trevally and queenies; yellow zone.
Safety: Walk-in only; carry water. Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Oct/Nov to May; wear a stinger suit if you wade or swim.
Zone: In a conservation park (yellow) zone: 1 rod or line with 1 hook per person. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -15.46290, 145.26300 · Open in Google Maps (position: Cherry Tree Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Finch Bay

Type: Bay · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Sealed road 2 km from town; small car park.
What's good here: Peak in October: whiting, javelin / grunter, trevally and queenfish. Also in season: blue threadfin.
Best tide: Run-in; Alligator Creek on the run-out.
Best wind: W to SW. Faces NE.
Note: Beach with Alligator Creek crossing it. Whiting and salmon on the sand and creek channel. Crocodile warning signs here.
Safety: Crocodile warning signs at the creek. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Oct/Nov to May; wear a stinger suit if you wade or swim.
Zone: In a conservation park (yellow) zone: 1 rod or line with 1 hook per person. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -15.47030, 145.26530 · Open in Google Maps (position: Finch Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Annan River

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat and kayak. Ramp at the Mulligan Highway bridge, south of Cooktown.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, mangrove jack, golden snapper, javelin / grunter, king threadfin and mud crab. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-out at creek mouths; the change on the rock bars.
Best wind: Sheltered in the river.
Note: Mangrove river south of town. Estuarine conservation zone: line fishing allowed. Snags and rock bars for jacks and barra; fingermark in deep holes.
Safety: Crocodiles: keep hands and legs inside the boat and never clean fish at the ramp.
Zone: In a state estuarine conservation zone: line fishing, crabbing and bait netting allowed. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -15.52060, 145.23940 · Open in Google Maps (position: Annan River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Archer Point

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. 12 km dirt road south of Cooktown; rough after rain.
What's good here: Peak in October: trevally, queenfish, golden snapper and grass sweetlip. Also in season: school mackerel.
Best tide: Tide changes off the point.
Best wind: W to NW; exposed to SE trades. Faces E.
Note: Headland with the remains of an old jetty. Cast lures off the rocks for trevally and queenfish; general use zone, so normal line limits apply.
Safety: Remote; poor road after rain. Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Oct/Nov to May; wear a stinger suit if you wade or swim.
Zone: In a general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -15.59250, 145.32890 · Open in Google Maps (position: Archer Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

2 public boat ramps are listed for Cooktown and the Endeavour River, with positions from Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines). Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Cooktown and the Endeavour River
Ramp	Notes	Position
Cooktown boat ramp (Charlotte Street)	Two single-lane ramps with floating walkway on the Endeavour River (TMR CO14).	-15.46132, 145.24919 Google Maps
Annan River boat ramp (Mulligan Highway)	Single ramp at the highway bridge (TMR CO41). Tide dependent.	-15.52145, 145.22339 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Cooktown and the Endeavour River in October: queenfish, golden snapper, trevally, barramundi and 12 more. Of the 30 species our Cairns & Far North list has for this part of the coast, 16 peak in October 2026 and 4 more are in season.

Peak in October: queenfish, golden snapper, trevally, barramundi, javelin / grunter, king threadfin, mangrove jack, mud crab, grass sweetlip, whiting, estuary cod, black jewfish, dusky flathead, cobia, grey mackerel and marlin and sailfish.

Also in season: blue threadfin, school mackerel, spotted mackerel and longtail tuna.

In closed season now (no take): Spanish mackerel (8 October to 29 October 2026); coral trout (8 October to 12 October 2026); red emperor (8 October to 12 October 2026); nannygai (8 October to 12 October 2026); spangled emperor (8 October to 12 October 2026); redthroat emperor (8 October to 12 October 2026); tuskfish (8 October to 12 October 2026).

Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January); black jewfish (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).

Out of season in October: banana prawns (best Feb–May).

Seen now and then, so not rated: tiger squid, blue swimmer crab and redthroat emperor.

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: Queensland's own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

No licence or fee for recreational fishing in Queensland tidal waters, including the Gulf and Torres Strait (as at 9 Oct 2026). Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Queensland's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Cooktown and the Endeavour River

Barramundi closed season on the east coast: no take from 1 Nov to 31 Jan (min 58 cm, max 120 cm otherwise).
Coral reef fin fish (trout, cods, emperors, tropical snappers, tuskfish, sweetlips) closed 8-12 Oct and 6-10 Nov 2026.
Spanish mackerel north of 22S: no take 8-29 Oct and 6-27 Nov 2026.
Black jewfish on the east coast: closed 1 Nov-31 Jan; otherwise min 75 cm, 2 per person.
Great Barrier Reef zoning applies to every saltwater spot here: green, pink and orange (scientific research) zones are no-fishing; yellow zones allow 1 rod or line with 1 hook per person.
No spearfishing within 100 m of Cooktown wharf.
Waters off Cooktown and much of the Endeavour River are yellow or state conservation zones: one rod or line with one hook per person.

Marine parks and no-take zones

The zone notes here name Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Cooktown and the Endeavour River

Estuarine crocodiles live in the Endeavour and Annan rivers and on the beaches.
Stinger season roughly October/November to May.
The Endeavour River mouth has shifting sand and rock bars.
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.

Queensland: official links

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

Boating: Queensland boating safety, crossing coastal bars and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Must wear: crossing a designated bar in an open boat or open area (any length); open boat <4.8m underway alone or at night; children 1-11 in open boat/area underway. AS 4758 only.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ). Until MRQ is fully operational, log on with your local marine rescue unit by boat radio or by phoning the unit. Channels and hours differ by unit.

Marine parks and closed areas: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth) - GBRMPA zoning maps, GBRMPA - interpreting zones, Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State) and all Qld state marine parks, Moreton Bay Marine Park - app and maps, Great Sandy Marine Park - app and maps and Australian Marine Parks (Commonwealth waters, e.g. Coral Sea).

Help on the water (non-emergency): MRQ unit pages list 131 MRQ (131 677). More.

Queensland's official rules: size and bag limits and closed seasons and areas (checked 9 Oct 2026).

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

Nearby fishing areas

Port Douglas and Daintree (about 111 km south)
Cairns and Trinity Inlet (about 171 km south)
Mission Beach (about 285 km south)
Hinchinbrook Channel and Cardwell (about 327 km south)

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

Sources and checked dates

Spot and ramp positions: Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and the state and territory naming authorities), CC BY 4.0, ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), CC BY 4.0 and Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines) (State of Queensland), CC BY 4.0; gazetteer and ABS positions through our place index. Guide only, not for navigation.
Spot research checked 9 Oct 2026 and fact-checked 9 Oct 2026; species seasons and rules checked 9 Oct 2026; safety links checked 9 Oct 2026. Text in our own words.
Research sources: parks.qld.gov.au (Endeavour River best by boat; two waterfront ramps; snags and bars; crocodiles); bigworldsmallpockets.com (Cooktown wharf as a land-based spot; Archer Point road and old jetty); beachsafe.org.au (Finch Bay access, Alligator Creek and crocodile signs); publications.qld.gov.au (Cooktown and Annan River ramp names (CO codes)); qld.gov.au (Size, bag and Gulf vs east coast limits (via the repo species file, checked 9 Oct 2026)); dpi.qld.gov.au (Barramundi, coral reef fin fish, Spanish mackerel and black jewfish closed seasons); dpi.qld.gov.au (Closed waters (no fishing / no spearfishing) by region); qld.gov.au (Crocodile habitat and safety); qld.gov.au (Marine stinger safety); gbrmpa.gov.au (Official GBR Marine Park zoning maps); gbrmpa.gov.au (What each GBR zone allows (line fishing, yellow-zone limits, crabbing, spearfishing)); legislation.qld.gov.au (Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park zoning plan: estuarine conservation zone allows line fishing, trapping and netting); maps.eatlas.org.au (GBRMPA zoning polygons (layer ea:GBR_GBRMPA_Zoning-2003) used to test every coordinate); spatial-gis.information.qld.gov.au (Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park zone polygons (QSpatial layer 63) used to test every coordinate); data.qld.gov.au (Marine infrastructure lines (boat ramps, jetties), CC BY 4.0, for ramp and jetty coordinates); publications.qld.gov.au (TMR boating infrastructure plans: official ramp names and facility IDs).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.