Barra season is back, baby!

Published on 01 February 2023

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The countdown is over, barra season is back for 2023 with keen anglers across the region ready to wet a line in the Fitzroy River (Tunuba) and chase their New Year barra personal bests (PB’s).

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the number of trophy barra over the magic metre in length continue to grow each season and we can’t wait to see what 2023 brings for the Fitzroy.

“We are proud to have some of the best barra fishing in the world, right here on the mighty Fitzroy River,” said Mayor Williams.

“With Rockhampton’s Recreational Fishing Voluntary Code of Practice now in place for 7 years, the closed season between November and January continues to give barramundi time to spawn and protect them at this vulnerable time in their life cycle.

“The closed season has two great benefits – preserving the species for future generations and ensuring great stocks for today’s anglers.

“A strong focus on sustainable fishing has helped to make our barra fishery the envy across Australia with fishing related tourism netting more tourists year on year chasing their trophy barra PB right in the heart of our CBD”.

Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager Greg Bowden, said Fishing the Fitzroy continues to be a major draw card for visitors to our region.

“Tourism Research Australia reported that annually Australians take 5.6 million trips to go fishing and 86% of those are choosing regional destinations, resulting in $670 million expenditure.

“InfoFish also reported that in 2022, 27% of anglers that fish the Fitzroy come from outside of the region, so fishing is invaluable for our visitor economy.

“If you are travelling 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 a fantastic advantage for Rockhampton, with more people visiting our region, booking accommodation, eating in our cafes and restaurants and stocking up in local tackle shops.

“With fishing events like the Barra Bash and Women that Fish continuing to grow each year, and the team at Advance Rockhampton continuing to engage with nationally recognised fishing ambassadors, we expect the region to benefit from another great barra fishing season in 2023”.

The 2023 Barramundi season officially kicks off at 12.01am on Wednesday 1 February and runs through until midnight 31st October.

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 around the region. Visit www.fishingthefitzroy.com.au to find out more and start planning your next fishing trip to the Barra Capital.

Sign up to the Voluntary Code of Practice here: https://www.explorerockhampton.com.au/Explore/Fishing-the-Fitzroy/Voluntary-Code-of-Practice 

Read more about the best fishing locations and charters in the region here: http://www.fishingthefitzroy.com.au