Borroloola and the McArthur River
Northern Territory · Tidal river
Gulf-country barra fishing at its most reliable, with the Pellew Islands offering blue-water options when the river runs dirty.
Fishing Borroloola and the McArthur River
In Northern Territory, Borroloola and the McArthur River is a tidal river with a reliable local following. The species most people target here are Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, Golden Snapper and Mud Crab, and the mix shifts through the year with water temperature and bait movement.
Tide does most of the work here: moving water pushes bait onto the edges and switches the fish on, while slack water usually means a slow hour or two on the bank.
The season here runs like this: apr–nov. Outside it you can still catch fish, but you work harder for them.
Access is straightforward enough once you know it — ramp at Borroloola; the Sir Edward Pellew Islands lie offshore.
The single thing that changes results most at Borroloola and the McArthur River is the detail locals take for granted — run-out tides at the creek junctions produce the most barra. Everything else is refinement on top of that.
Local tips
- ▸Run-out tides at the creek junctions produce the most barra.
- ▸Mud crabs are thick in the mangrove drains through the dry.
Check current closures, marine park zoning and licence requirements with the relevant state fisheries authority. Conditions on tidal and offshore water change quickly — always check the forecast and tell someone your plans.
Licences and rules
Northern Territory sets its own licence requirements, size and bag limits and closed seasons, and they change through the year. Confirm the current position with NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries before you fish Borroloola and the McArthur River.
Species guides for Borroloola and the McArthur River
- Barramundi — The icon of northern Australian sportfishing — an ambush predator that hunts tidal rivers, mangrove creeks and floodplain billabongs.
- Golden Snapper — A hard-fighting tropical lutjanid that holds tight on rubble ground and fights dirtier than a barra.
- Mud Crab — The prize of northern mangrove systems — simple gear, strict rules and outstanding eating.
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Borroloola and the McArthur River?
Borroloola and the McArthur River holds Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, Golden Snapper, Mud Crab. Gulf-country barra fishing at its most reliable, with the Pellew Islands offering blue-water options when the river runs dirty.
When is the best time to fish Borroloola and the McArthur River?
Apr–Nov. As a rule, the hours either side of a tide change and the dawn and dusk bite windows produce the most fish here.
How do you access Borroloola and the McArthur River?
Ramp at Borroloola; the Sir Edward Pellew Islands lie offshore.
Do you need a fishing licence at Borroloola and the McArthur River?
No recreational fishing licence is required in the Northern Territory. Confirm current rules with NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries before you fish.
Nearby waters to Borroloola and the McArthur River
Closest locations in the directory if Borroloola and the McArthur River is blown out or crowded.
- Arnhem Land Coast, Northern Territory434 km away · also holds barramundi
- Daly River, Northern Territory656 km away · also holds barramundi
- Adelaide River, Northern Territory665 km away · also holds barramundi
- Weipa, Queensland710 km away · also holds barramundi
- Cullen Bay, Darwin, Northern Territory715 km away · also holds barramundi
- Lake Argyle, Western Australia809 km away · also holds barramundi
What swims here
Species profiles for the fish Borroloola and the McArthur River is known for.
- BarramundiHard-bodied lures — best dawn and dusk on a run-in tide
- SnapperSoft plastics — best dawn, dusk and the tide change
- King Threadfin SalmonSoft plastics — best run-out tide over mud banks and drains
- Mud CrabBaited collapsible pots and dillies set in mangrove creeks — best set on the run-out, check on the following tide
- Golden SnapperSoft plastics — best night and the hour either side of the tide change
Plan this session
- Fish Finder spot mapDepth contours and structure scoring centred on Borroloola and the McArthur River (1–12 m).
- Bite times calculatorTide and moon windows for Northern Territory so you fish Borroloola and the McArthur River on moving water.
- Catch logLog sessions at Borroloola and the McArthur River and build your own pattern over a season.
- Guided chartersLocal skippers who run Northern Territory trips if you'd rather learn the water with a guide.
Where to fish for Borroloola and the McArthur River right now
The Local Knowledge Fish Finder scores real Australian spots against live tide, moon phase, wind, water temperature and season, then ranks the best places to start today — with marine charts and depth contours built in.
- ▸ Ranked pins for Borroloola and the McArthur River near you
- ▸ Depth contours and seamarks on the chart
- ▸ Live tide, moon, wind and water temp
- ▸ Free for 7 days, then $7.99/month
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