Barra Season is here!
Published on 31 January 2025
Get ready to cast your excitement into the mighty Fitzroy (Tunuba) because the countdown is over - barra season is back for 2025 with many keen to wet a line to bag that trophy barramundi.
The 2025 barramundi season officially kicks off at 12.01am on Saturday 1 February and runs through until midnight 31st October.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the remarkable results from the 2024 season have set an exciting precedent for what's to come in 2025.
"We are proud to have some of the best barra fishing in the world, right here on the mighty Fitzroy River," said Mayor Williams.
"Data captured by Infofish and Suntag throughout the 2024 barramundi season has revealed extraordinary results that cement Rockhampton's status as the Barramundi Capital of Australia. Their monitoring showed anglers landed an unprecedented number of trophy barramundi over one metre in length, resulting in an 800% increase from the previous year. Even more remarkably, almost all of these impressive fish were caught and released in the city reach of the Fitzroy River, meaning visitors can target trophy barramundi right in the heart of Rockhampton."
"We know that Australians take 5.6 million fishing trips a year and over 80 per cent of those are choosing regional areas. The data demonstrates how the Net Free Zone has transformed the Fitzroy into a premier fishing destination, with visitor numbers tripling since its introduction. The region now attracts serious anglers from as far north as Cairns and as far south as Melbourne, with particularly strong visitation from Southeast Queensland."
Advance Rockhampton Tourism and Events Manager Zac Garven said the scientific monitoring shows encouraging signs for the future of the fishery.
"Extended spawning seasons and strong recruitment were observed in 2024, indicating a healthy barramundi population that will continue to support both recreational fishing and tourism growth in our region. The high catch-and-release rates of trophy fish demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable fishing practices among anglers," said Mr Garven.
"With more than 300 days of sunshine and above average winter temperatures, Rockhampton is a draw card destination for fishing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
"If you’re jetting from Brisbane, you can be on a plane, checked in to your hotel room and on the water, fishing the Fitzroy in less than two hours.
"That's an extraordinary advantage for Rockhampton, with more people visiting our region, booking accommodation, eating in our cafes and restaurants and stocking up at local tackle shops".
Investment in the region's fishing infrastructure continues to grow, with new boat ramps completed at Inkerman Creek and a two-lane facility with floating walkway at Casuarina Creek along Bajool-Port Alma Road. The future of the fishery is being further secured through the release of over 6,000 fingerlings into the Fitzroy in 2024, thanks to the Fitzroy River Fish Stocking Association and Rockhampton State High School's Aquaculture Centre.
The closed barra season (between November and January each year) plays an important role preserving the species for future generations, giving barramundi time to spawn and safeguard them at this vulnerable time in their life cycle.
For more information on Fishing the Fitzroy and tourism across the region, visit www.explorerockhampton.com.au
No boat? No worries. Rockhampton has great fishing charters and dry boat hire options to get you out on the water or enjoy fishing from one of the many land-based fishing platforms, including two accessible platforms, around the region. Visit www.fishingthefitzroy.com.au to find out more and start planning your next fishing trip to the Barra Capital.
In 2015, Rockhampton also introduced its Recreational Fishing Voluntary Code of Practice which continues to promote sustainable fishing and positive ecological outcomes across the Fitzroy River system.
Sign up to the Voluntary Code of Practice here: https://www.explorerockhampton.com.au/Explore/Fishing-the-Fitzroy/Voluntary-Code-of-Practice
For more inspiration, read our blog: Bag a trophy barra
Download the campaign media kit https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qrun5zedj7rd8nod3od3z/h?rlkey=6lh7npt39ghb3eomik9ljg4h1&dl=0