Fishing...the great leveller. Nothing brings one back to earth faster than attempting to outwit a fish and losing, and it’s a battle I’ve lost more often than not. The Brisbane River offers a surprising number of locations where you can continue to fight the good fight against one of nature’s most elusive and tasty creatures.
More than 340 kilometres in length, the mighty Brisbane River is the dominant feature of the local landscape. Once an abundant food source, there was a time when rowing across our river required two people – one to row and one to put back the mullet that would leap into the boat in transit.
Sadly, Brisbane turned its back on one of the city’s great icons. Only now are we beginning to appreciate the enormous benefits that a healthy waterway can bring. We have some way to go before we can call the Brisbane River healthy, but with city dwellers spotting dolphins off the Kangaroo Point cliffs, it’s clear that life is starting to return.
What you can catch
Make sure anything you catch is legal. Check the fishing species and bag limits for fish, crabs and other marine life. Fines do apply for illegal catches.
Bream
The prime target for most when fishing the Brisbane River, the humble bream can be found throughout the entire river system. Look for man-made structures (jetties, wharves etc) and try around the fringes of mangroves throughout the river near the top of the tide.
The Colmslie Recreation Reserve at Morningside, the mouth of Breakfast Creek at Newstead and Captain Burke Park at Kangaroo Point are likely spots.
Flathead
Flathead are returning in good numbers and are best targeted in the lower reaches of the Brisbane River.
Larger specimens are often caught around Fisherman's Island and near the Royal Queensland Golf Club at Eagle Farm. Don't forget that all flathead 75cm or larger must be released.
Threadfin Salmon
Some very big threadfin salmon are caught in the Brisbane River. At times they can be seen breaking the surface as they chase schools of prawns. Those that target them keep their fishing locations close to their chest, but you could catch one just about anywhere with a bit of luck.
Try the deeper sections of the river near the Gateway Motorway.
Catfish
Okay I admit it. You are going to catch catfish. You are going to catch a lot of catfish. Maligned by many, they offer great sport and a real tussle for the kids on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Watch out for those spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins. You can eat them and many do (in fact, the flesh is absolutely perfect for a curry or seafood laksa).
Try anywhere. Catfish will probably find you before you find them.
Public boat ramps and pontoons
Listed below are boat ramps, canoe ramps and pontoons that allow public access to the Brisbane River and its tributaries:
| Location | Facilities |
| Albion - Argyle Street (Yowoggera Park) | Boat ramp (one lane) on Breakfast Creek |
| Carina - Kate Street (Minnippi Parklands) | Canoe ramp on Bulimba Creek |
| Carina - Meadowlands Road (Meadowlands Picnic Ground) | Pontoon on Bulimba Creek |
| Chelmer - Wharf Street (Taylor Bridge Reserve) | Pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Corinda - Devaney Lane (Horace Window Reserve) | Boat ramp (one lane) on Brisbane River |
| East Brisbane - Hilton Street (Heath Park) | Canoe ramp and pontoon on Norman Creek |
| East Brisbane - Lytton Road (Mowbray Park) | Pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Fig Tree Pocket - Mandalay Street (Mandalay Park) | Boat ramp (one lane) on Brisbane River |
| Graceville - Graceville Avenue (Simpsons Playground) |
Pontoon at mouth of Oxley Creek |
| Hamilton - Kingsford-Smith Drive | Pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Hemmant - Fleming Road (Fleming Road Park) | Boat ramp (two lanes) on Bulimba Creek |
| Hemmant - Aquarium Avenue | Canoe ramp on Aquarium Passage |
| Indooroopilly - Meiers Road (Sir John Chandler Park) | Boat ramp (one lane) and pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Jindalee - Mt Ommaney Drive (Jindalee Boat Ramp Park) | Boat ramp (two lanes) and pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Jindalee - Amazon Place (Amazon Place Park) | Pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Kangaroo Point - River Terrace (River Terrace Park) | Boat ramp (one lane) on Brisbane River |
| Karana Downs - Nalya Crescent (Kookaburra Park) | Boat ramp (one lane) on Brisbane River |
| Morningside - Lytton Road (Colmslie Recreation Reserve) | Boat ramp (two lanes) and pontoon on Brisbane River |
| Newstead - Ross Street (Ross Street Park) | Boat ramp (two lanes) on Breakfast Creek |
| Newstead - Breakfast Creek Road (Newstead Park) | Two pontoons at mouth of Breakfast Creek |
| Oxley - Kendall Street | Canoe ramp on Oxley Creek |
| Oxley - Clivedon Avenue (Clivedon Avenue Reserve) | Pontoon on Oxley Creek |
| Sherwood - Jolimont Street (Sherwood Forest Park) | Pontoon on Brisbane River |
| South Brisbane - Riverside Drive | Boat ramp (two lanes) on Brisbane River |
| Tingalpa - Boundary Street (Carmichael Park) | Canoe ramp on Bulimba Creek |
| West End - Riverside Drive | Boat ramp (one lane) on Brisbane River |
| West End - Hill End Terrace (Orleigh Park) | Pontoon on Brisbane River |
Weather and tides
Make sure you check out our weather and tidal information before you wet a line. Good luck to you all.
Share your fishing tales below.
Newstead Park is a great place to thow a line in with the kids. You can go across the Rd to Breakfast Creek and buy fish and chips afterwards.