# Fishing in Broome | Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, Reef & Offshore Guide
Canonical: https://bookfromowner.com.au/guides/wa/north-west/broome/fishing/
Type: ActivityGuide
Location: Broome, Australia's North West, Western Australia
Last updated: 2026-06-01

> The complete fishing guide for Broome, Western Australia — barramundi in the creeks, threadfin salmon and mangrove jack in Roebuck Bay, reef fishing from Town Beach jetty, offshore sailfish charters, Willie Creek, and the saltwater crocodile safety rules you need to know.

## Quick Answer
- Best for: Estuary, reef and offshore fishing; barramundi and pelagics
- Price range: Free (shore fishing); charter boats from ~$150/person
- Vibe: Wild, productive, world-class croc country — respect the rules
- Distance: Various locations within and around Broome

## Featured Properties
- Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa: 4.5/5 (968 reviews)
  Book direct: https://www.cablebeachclub.com/
  Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa — Broome
- Broome Caravan Park: 4.2/5 (589 reviews)
  Book direct: https://summerstar.com.au/caravan-parks/broome?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-website
  Broome Caravan Park — Broome
- Beaches of Broome: 4.4/5 (293 reviews)
  Book direct: http://www.beachesofbroome.com.au/
  Beaches of Broome — Broome

## FAQ
Q: What fish can you catch in Broome?
A: Broome offers exceptional fishing diversity across three main environments. In the tidal creek systems and mangrove margins: barramundi, mangrove jack and threadfin salmon. In Roebuck Bay: giant threadfin (blue) salmon, queenfish, trevally and black jewfish. From the Town Beach jetty and shore: trevally, queenfish, bream and dart. Offshore: sailfish (August to October peak), Spanish mackerel, cobia, coral trout and red emperor. Broome is particularly well regarded for giant threadfin salmon on the Roebuck Bay tidal flats and for barramundi in the Kimberley creek systems.

Q: Is there a risk of saltwater crocodiles when fishing in Broome?
A: Yes — saltwater crocodiles inhabit the creek systems, mangrove margins and tidal zones around Broome, including Roebuck Bay and its tributary creeks. The safety rules are non-negotiable: never stand at the water's edge in creek or mangrove environments; never wade; fish from inside the boat or well back from the bank; don't clean fish at the water's edge near creeks; don't fish alone in remote creek locations; be particularly careful at dawn, dusk and after dark. Following these rules allows safe and productive fishing in the Broome area. The risk is manageable with sensible behaviour.

Q: Do I need a fishing licence to fish in Broome?
A: Yes — Western Australia requires a valid recreational fishing licence for most finfish species, including the key Broome species (barramundi, threadfin salmon, coral trout, and others). Size and bag limits apply and are updated periodically. Check the current requirements and purchase a licence through the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) website before fishing. Local tackle shops in Broome can also advise on current regulations.

Q: When is the best time of year to fish in Broome?
A: The best time depends on your target species. Barramundi are most active during the wet season and post-wet (November to June), when floodwaters concentrate fish and trigger feeding. Threadfin salmon and queenfish in Roebuck Bay are productive year-round but peak on productive tidal sequences from March onwards. Offshore sailfish run from approximately August to October. The dry season (May to October) offers the best offshore conditions and is the most comfortable time to fish all environments. For a mixed trip covering creek barra, bay threadfin and some offshore, May–June is the optimal combination window.

Q: Are there fishing charters in Broome?
A: Yes — multiple charter operators run fishing trips from Broome covering offshore reef and pelagic fishing (reef species, sailfish), guided bay fishing for threadfin salmon and queenfish, and estuary creek fishing for barramundi and mangrove jack. Using a local guide for the first session in the creek and bay systems is strongly recommended — local knowledge of the tide patterns, fish holding positions and croc safety on specific water makes a significant difference to results. Book ahead in peak dry season (June to September) as operators fill up. Confirm current operators and pricing through the Broome Visitor Centre.

Q: Is fishing in Broome suitable for beginners and families?
A: Yes, with the right location choice. The Town Beach jetty is the best starting point for beginners and family fishing — no boat needed, accessible for all ages, and productive for queenfish, trevally and bream on moving tides. Creek and bay fishing for barramundi and threadfin is better suited to older children and adults with some fishing experience, ideally on a guided trip. Offshore charters suit adults and older teenagers with sea legs. The croc-safety rules apply in creek and bay environments regardless of age or experience level.

## At a Glance
- Key species: Barramundi, threadfin/blue salmon, mangrove jack, queenfish, black jewfish, trevally, coral trout, sailfish, Spanish mackerel
- Best barra season: Nov–Apr (wet season and post-wet); also productive around tidal creek systems year-round
- Best offshore season: May–Sep (dry season); sailfish peak Aug–Oct
- Croc risk: REAL — saltwater crocs inhabit creek systems, mangroves and Roebuck Bay tidal margins; see safety rules below
- Fishing licence: WA recreational fishing licence required — check current DPIRD requirements
- Tides: Critical for all Broome fishing — one of Australia's largest tidal ranges; most creek and bay fishing is tide-dependent
- Bait & tackle: Available in Broome; live bait effective in estuaries; lures for pelagics offshore
- Charter boats: Multiple operators offering reef, offshore and estuary trips — book ahead in dry season

## Featured
- 1. Town Beach jetty and foreshore — The accessible start — productive, shore-based, no boat needed
  - Why people love it: It's the easiest productive fishing in Broome — no boat, no guide, no advance booking; just a rod, the right tide, and one of Australia's most beautiful bays in front of you.
  - Don't miss: Fishing the run-in tide with a surface popper or metal slice for queenfish and trevally — the bite window is two hours, so time it well.
  - Good to know: Dead tides (full high or full low) are generally slow — time your visit to a tide change. Crocs are present in Roebuck Bay: do not stand at the water's edge below the jetty structure, particularly at night.
- 2. Roebuck Bay flats — threadfin salmon and queenfish — Trophy threadfin salmon country — tidal flats and big fish
  - Why people love it: Trophy threadfin salmon in shallow tidal flats water — watching a large fish crash a surface lure in gin-clear bay water is as good as tropical estuary fishing gets.
  - Don't miss: A large threadfin salmon on a surface lure at the edge of the tidal flats on the run-in — use a guide for the first visit to get straight onto fish.
  - Good to know: Do not wade or beach the boat in mangrove creek mouths — croc risk is real. First-time visitors should use a guide; the tidal movement and fish positioning here are highly specific and change rapidly.
- 3. Creek barramundi — the Broome creek systems — Wild barramundi in mangrove creeks — technical, rewarding, croc country
  - Why people love it: A barramundi erupting from a shadowed mangrove bank on a surface lure in a remote Kimberley creek is about as close to a religious fishing experience as Australia offers.
  - Don't miss: A surface-lure cast placed tight to a mangrove root mass at dawn, worked back slowly — and the barramundi that comes from the dark water to hit it.
  - Good to know: CROC SAFETY: never fish from the bank in creek systems; always stay inside the boat; do not clean fish at the water's edge; do not fish alone in remote creek locations. These rules are mandatory, not optional.
- 4. Offshore reef and sailfish charters — Sailfish, Spanish mackerel and coral trout — blue-water and reef within day-trip range
  - Why people love it: A Kimberley sailfish on deck — even for a photograph before release — is one of the most impressive sportfish encounters available within a day-boat distance of any Australian town.
  - Don't miss: A sailfish to the boat on a troll lure in the offshore grounds — request a catch-and-release operator if the release matters to you.
  - Good to know: The offshore grounds require suitable sea conditions — check the weather before booking a day trip and ensure the operator monitors the forecast. The season window for sailfish is roughly Aug–Oct; outside this window, reef fishing is the main offshore option.
- 5. Cable Beach rocks and northern shoreline — Rock-and-surf fishing from the groyne and northern beach
  - Why people love it: Fishing from the groyne at Cable Beach while the sunset builds behind you is not the most productive fishing in Broome — but it might be the most scenic.
  - Don't miss: Evening fishing from the groyne as the light changes — bring a light rod, a few lures, and low expectations; the setting makes up for the catch rate.
  - Good to know: This is casual fishing, not specialist angling — don't expect high catch rates. The best species are not present in large numbers from the shore; it suits a relaxed holiday session rather than serious fishing. Do not wade or fish from the waterline near creek drainage points — croc risk.
- 6. Willie Creek — fishing the tidal inlet north of Broome — Barramundi and mangrove jack in a stunning tidal setting
  - Why people love it: Barramundi fishing in a remote Kimberley tidal creek against a backdrop of red gorge country — the scenery doubles the experience even when the fish aren't biting.
  - Don't miss: First light on the incoming tide at Willie Creek — barra holding tight to the mangrove banks, the creek systems lit red by the rising sun.
  - Good to know: CROC SAFETY essential in this remote location — do not wade, do not approach mangrove banks on foot, do not fish alone. The road requires a 4WD in the wet season; access may be closed during and after heavy rain.
- 7. Threadfin and blue salmon — the Broome signature species — Giant threadfin in the tidal zone — a trophy only Broome delivers at this scale
  - Why people love it: Giant threadfin salmon on lures in clear tidal water — it's a species Australia has that the rest of the world mostly doesn't, and Broome has them in numbers that make a visiting angler feel like the trip was worth it.
  - Don't miss: A large threadfin salmon crashing a surface popper in the tidal shallows on a run-in tide — book a guided session for the first visit.
  - Good to know: Threadfin fishing is highly tide and location-specific — independent anglers without local knowledge will struggle to find fish consistently. Use a guide for your first Roebuck Bay session, then build the local knowledge from there.

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