Townsville and Magnetic Island fishing spots

Townsville anglers fish Cleveland Bay from the Strand jetty, the rock walls and the Ross River, chase barramundi, threadfin and jacks in the Bohle and other mangrove creeks, and cross to Magnetic Island for jetty and bay fishing. Grey, school and spotted mackerel run through the bay in the cooler months. Much of the bay and the island is yellow or green zone, so check the map.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

10 spots here: 8 fished from land and 2 reached only by boat or kayak, plus 6 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our Townsville & Hinchinbrook 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

10 spots: Townsville and Magnetic Island
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. The Strand jetty	Jetty	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
2. Kissing Point	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
3. Ross River mouth	River	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
4. Pallarenda & Cape Pallarenda	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
5. Bohle River	River	Boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
6. Saunders Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
7. Picnic Bay jetty (Magnetic Island)	Jetty	Land-based	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
8. West Point (Magnetic Island)	Headland	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
9. Cleveland Bay	Bay	Boat	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
10. Haughton River (Cungulla)	River	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park

1. The Strand jetty

Type: Jetty · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. In front of Strand Park on The Strand; parking along the foreshore.
What's good here: Peak in October: trevally, queenfish, grey mackerel and javelin / grunter. Also in season: school mackerel. Now and then: tiger squid.
Best tide: Run-in and the top of the tide.
Best wind: S to SW (offshore); strong N to NE winds chop it up. Faces NNE.
Note: Popular city jetty with fishing platforms. Spin metal lures for mackerel and trevally in winter, or fish baits on the bottom for grunter.
Safety: High platform: a long-handled gaff or drop net helps. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Oct/Nov to May; wear a stinger suit if you wade or swim. Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water.
Zone: No zone is mapped at this point (port waters); the nearest mapped zone, about 2,150 m away, 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: -19.24400, 146.81116 · Open in Google Maps (position: Jetty (unnamed in dataset), Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines))
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Kissing Point

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Jezzine Barracks precinct and the Rockpool promenade at the north end of The Strand.
What's good here: Peak in October: queenfish, trevally and grey mackerel. Also in season: school mackerel. Now and then: tiger squid.
Best tide: High tide, when water covers the rocks below the point.
Best wind: S to SW; exposed to N and NE winds. Faces NNE.
Note: Rocky point at the north end of The Strand, with a platform near the Rockpool. Cast metals at first light when mackerel and queenies push bait along the rocks.
Safety: Slippery rocks; watch the swell in strong onshore wind. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Oct/Nov to May; wear a stinger suit if you wade or swim. Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water.
Zone: No zone is mapped at this point; the nearest mapped zone, about 1,400 m away, 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: -19.23890, 146.80440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Kissing Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Ross River mouth

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Rock walls and jetties near the mouth in South Townsville and Railway Estate; ramps at the Recreational Boating Park.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, king threadfin, mangrove jack, javelin / grunter and golden snapper. Also in season: blue threadfin. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-out to low and the first of the run-in.
Best wind: Sheltered; most winds are fishable.
Note: Cast lures along the rock walls and bridge pylons for barra and jacks; bait for grunter and salmon on the flats at the mouth.
Safety: Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Busy boat traffic near the ramps and the port.
Zone: No marine park zone is mapped within 2.5 km of this point (river or port waters); check the official map before moving. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -19.26530, 146.83810 · Open in Google Maps (position: Ross River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Pallarenda & Cape Pallarenda

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. The Esplanade, Pallarenda; ramp and parking at Marlow Street.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead, javelin / grunter, queenfish and barramundi. Also in season: whiting and blue threadfin. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-in over the flats; creek mouths on the first of the run-out.
Best wind: S to SW (offshore). Faces NE.
Note: Sand flats, creek mouths and the cape rocks north of the city. Yellow zone: one rod or line with one hook per person.
Safety: 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. Soft mud on the flats at low tide.
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: -19.18890, 146.77390 · Open in Google Maps (position: Cape Pallarenda, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Bohle River

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat and kayak. Bushland Beach (Stoney Creek) ramp, about 1 km from the mouth.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, mangrove jack, javelin / grunter, king threadfin and mud crab. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-out to the bottom; snags and drains as the water drops.
Best wind: Sheltered in the river; the mouth is open to N.
Note: Mangrove river just north of the city. Troll or cast at snags and drain mouths for barra and jacks; bait the holes for grunter; pots for mud crabs.
Safety: Crocodiles: keep hands and legs inside the boat and never clean fish at the ramp. Shallow mouth bar at low tide.
Zone: No zone is mapped at this point in the river; the nearest mapped zone, about 850 m away, 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: -19.19950, 146.71060 · Open in Google Maps (position: Bohle River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Saunders Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Beachfront parking; Althaus Creek ramp at the southern end.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead, barramundi and queenfish. Also in season: whiting and blue threadfin. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-in, and the creek mouth on the run-out.
Best wind: W to SW (offshore); NE onshore. Faces NE.
Note: Quiet beach on Halifax Bay with Althaus Creek at one end. Whiting and flathead on the sand; salmon and the odd barra at the creek mouth after rain.
Safety: Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Oct/Nov to May; wear a stinger suit if you wade or swim. 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 general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -19.15850, 146.61030 · Open in Google Maps (position: Saunders Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Picnic Bay jetty (Magnetic Island)

Type: Jetty · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. End of the Esplanade, Picnic Bay; bus or car from the Nelly Bay ferry.
What's good here: Peak in October: trevally, queenfish and javelin / grunter. Also in season: school mackerel. Now and then: tiger squid.
Best tide: Higher half of the tide.
Best wind: N to NE (the bay faces south). Faces S.
Note: Old ferry jetty on the island's south-west corner. Yellow zone: one line with one hook. Squid and trevally at dusk.
Safety: Stinger net in summer, but Irukandji can get through: wear a suit if you swim. Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water.
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: -19.18177, 146.83905 · Open in Google Maps (position: Jetty (unnamed in dataset), Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines))
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. West Point (Magnetic Island)

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Unsealed road west of Picnic Bay, or by boat.
What's good here: Peak in October: queenfish, trevally, golden snapper, javelin / grunter and grass sweetlip.
Best tide: Tide changes off the point.
Best wind: E to SE (lee side of the island). Faces W.
Note: Mangroves and sand on the island's western tip. Boats drift the drop-off for fingermark and grunter; shore anglers cast lures for queenfish. Yellow zone close by.
Safety: 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: The water off this spot is a general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules; yellow zone about 200 m away (1 line, 1 hook there). Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -19.12860, 146.77940 · Open in Google Maps (position: West Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

9. Cleveland Bay

Type: Bay · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat. Boat from the Breakwater or Ross River ramps.
What's good here: Peak in October: grey mackerel, golden snapper, black jewfish and cobia. Also in season: school mackerel and spotted mackerel. Closing soon: black jewfish (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Neap tides for bottom fishing; mackerel on the run-in.
Best wind: Light SE or calm; open to strong SE and N.
Note: The bay's wrecks, rubble and shipping-channel edges hold fingermark and jewfish; troll and spin for mackerel through winter. Green zones cover several Magnetic Island bays (Geoffrey, Alma, Florence, Gowrie, Balding, Radical and Five Beach): no fishing there.
Safety: Keep clear of ships in Platypus Channel and the port approaches. Black jewfish closed 1 Nov-31 Jan. Crocodiles: keep hands and legs inside the boat and never clean fish at the ramp.
Zone: In a general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -19.21820, 146.92220 · Open in Google Maps (position: Cleveland Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

10. Haughton River (Cungulla)

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Cungulla township and ramp, south-east of Townsville.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, king threadfin, mangrove jack, javelin / grunter and mud crab. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-out to low at the mouth; run-in up the creeks.
Best wind: Light winds; open to NE at the mouth.
Note: Wide tidal river on Bowling Green Bay. Barra and salmon on the mud banks and creek mouths; crabbing in the side creeks. Yellow zones nearby.
Safety: Crocodile country: stand well back from the edge, never wade, and clean fish away from the water. Big shallow flats at low tide.
Zone: In a general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules. Guide only, not for navigation: check gbrmpa.gov.au.
Map: -19.41240, 147.12860 · Open in Google Maps (position: Haughton River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

6 public boat ramps are listed for Townsville and Magnetic Island, 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: Townsville and Magnetic Island
Ramp	Notes	Position
Sir Leslie Thiess Drive boat ramp (Breakwater)	Two triple-lane ramps with floating walkways at the mouth of Ross Creek (TMR facilities TV71, TV72; Port of Townsville).	-19.25276, 146.82754 Google Maps
Townsville Recreational Boating Park	Several ramps, pontoons and walkways at the Ross River mouth, South Townsville (TMR TV30-TV37).	-19.27294, 146.83240 Google Maps
Pallarenda boat ramp (Marlow Street)	Three-lane ramp onto Cleveland Bay with about 30 trailer parks (TMR TV91). Open to N winds.	-19.19722, 146.77524 Google Maps
Bushland Beach boat ramp (Stoney Creek)	Ramp and floating walkway on Stoney Creek near the Bohle River (TMR TH51). Creek access is tide-limited.	-19.19965, 146.70091 Google Maps
Saunders Beach boat ramp (Althaus Creek)	Ramp and floating walkway on Althaus Creek (TMR TH21). Creek bar is shallow at low tide.	-19.15715, 146.59869 Google Maps
Picnic Bay boat ramp (Magnetic Island)	Single ramp at Yule Street, Picnic Bay (TMR TV51). Exposed to S winds.	-19.18061, 146.83816 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Townsville and Magnetic Island in October: javelin / grunter, queenfish, barramundi, trevally and 11 more. Of the 31 species our Townsville & Hinchinbrook list has for this part of the coast, 15 peak in October 2026 and 6 more are in season.

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

Also in season: school mackerel, blue threadfin, whiting, spotted mackerel, yellowfin bream 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 and blue swimmer crab.

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 Townsville and Magnetic Island

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.
Green zones cover Geoffrey Bay and other parts of the Magnetic Island coast and Cleveland Bay: no fishing there; much of the rest is yellow zone.
Ross River Dam and stocked weirs are freshwater: check council access rules and any stocked impoundment permit before fishing.

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 Townsville and Magnetic Island

Crocodiles live in Ross River, the Bohle, the Haughton and along the beaches.
Stinger season roughly October/November to May; the Strand and Picnic Bay have seasonal stinger nets.
Cleveland Bay gets steep and short in fresh SE trade winds.
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

Lucinda and the Herbert River (about 92 km north-west)
Hinchinbrook Channel and Cardwell (about 127 km north-west)
Mission Beach (about 165 km north-west)
Bowen (about 175 km south-east)

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: townsville.qld.gov.au (Strand jetty and Rockpool fishing platform; Pallarenda ramp; council ramps); en.wikipedia.org (Bohle River species (barramundi, jacks, grunter)); beachsafe.org.au (Picnic Bay jetty and seasonal stinger net); publications.qld.gov.au (Townsville ramp names and facility IDs (TV/TH codes)); publications.qld.gov.au (Sir Leslie Thiess Drive ramps (TV71, TV72)); 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.