Brisbane River Fishing
Brisbane River Fishing Guide
Fishing in the Brisbane River provides an exciting form of urban angling for fish such as threadfin salmon, jewfish (mulloway), and bream. Popular, easily accessible spots include Breakfast Creek, Kookaburra Park, and the Gateway Bridge. For the best chances of success, target early morning or late afternoon around the change of tide at each location. Many anglers report that the run-in tide or the start of the run-out tide is especially productive for these species.
Top Fishing Spots:
Breakfast Creek:
Excellent land access near Newstead for bream, flathead, and threadfin salmon. Anglers will find roadside parking available nearby, and the area is easily accessible by public transport with bus stops close to the water. Walking and cycling paths along the river also provide convenient entry points to popular fishing spots around Breakfast Creek.
Kookaburra Park:
It is situated in Karana Downs and has a dedicated platform, making it suitable for bass, mullet, and catfish.
Gateway Bridge:
Heavy tidal flows attract large jewfish (mulloway), flathead, and mangrove jack.
Port of Brisbane:
For Snapper, cod, and threadfin salmon, deeper water and among rock walls is recommended.
Common Species & Gear Target Species:
The deeper areas contain yellowfin bream, dusky flathead, king threadfin salmon, jewfish, and bull sharks. Before fishing, be sure to check local regulations for size and bag limits, as well as any protected species. This helps ensure responsible fishing and helps you avoid fines.
For the tackle, use a medium spinning reel with braided main lines and fluorocarbon leaders. Pair this with a rod between 6 and 7 feet in length, rated for a 4-8 kg line class, to suit the river conditions and target species.
Lures & Bait:
In the strong current, metal blade lures, micro-jigs, and soft plastics are effective when used together with live prawns or mullet.
Local bait and tackle shops such as Brisbane Fishing Supplies in Newstead, Charlton’s Fishing at Red Hill, and Tackle Land at Sandgate are convenient options to purchase fresh bait before heading out.
For those who prefer to collect their own, the mudflats along the lower river or local jetties are popular spots to catch live prawns and gather fresh baitfish, subject to local regulations.
Can Getfished tell if fish are biting at Brisbane River, today?
No. Because a forecast cannot truthfully guarantee whether fish are biting at a specific spot right now. Getfished shows the current fishing conditions instead: tide movement, solunar timing, weather, wind, pressure, marine conditions and fishing report derived species history.
Use this information to make informed decisions about where to fish, and to compare conditions across nearby locations. We hope you enjoy using Getfished to find your next great fishing spot!
✨Find out what we learned from analysing 20,000 fishing reports about moon times and fish told us.
Brisbane River is a location within the region of:
Brisbane.