Barramundi illustration
Species

Barramundi

Lates calcarifer
Also known as Asian sea bass · Asian sea lates · giant sea lates · giant sea perch
Tier 1Eating8/10medium tackleQLDWANT
127 waypoints50–100 cm (max 200 cm) typical

Regulations

QLD58 cm min · bag 5WA55 cm min · bag 3NT55 cm min · bag 5
StateSizeBag
QLD58 cm min5
Closed: 1 Nov - 1 Feb (east coast); 7 Oct - 1 Feb (Gulf)
WA55 cm min3
Closed: 1 Oct - 31 Jan (Kimberley)
NT55 cm min5
Closed: 1 Oct - 1 Feb (tidal waters)

Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.

Overview: about barramundi

The icon of northern Australia — found in estuaries, rivers and impoundments across QLD, NT and northern WA. Targeted with hardbodies, soft plastics and live baits around snags, drains and rock bars; topwater fishing at first light is hard to beat. Closed seasons protect spawning fish — verify state rules.

Biology: Barramundi size, diet & habitat

Habitat
Estuary, Freshwater, Impoundment, River
Typical size
50–100 cm (max 200 cm)
Weight
2–12 kg (max 60 kg)
Depth range
0–15 m
Diet
prawns, mullet, garfish, small reef fish
Most active
crepuscular
Global range
Indo-West Pacific tropics

How to target: Barramundi angling strategies

Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.

  • soft plastics worked slowly along snag edges and rock bars on the run-out tide
  • live mullet or prawns under a bobby cork in tidal creeks
  • shallow-diving hardbodies twitched along snag lines on falling tides
  • trolling deep-diving lures along dam timber and points in impoundments
  • surface fizzers and walkers over flooded weed flats at dawn

Best season: when to catch barramundi in Australia

QLD
Feb-Oct (tidal); year-round (impoundments)
WA
Feb-Sep (Kimberley)
NT
Feb-May (run-off); Aug-Oct (build-up)

Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.

Safety & handling

Sharp gill rakers and abrasive jaw; lip-grip and support the body.

In the same waters
  • saltwater crocodiles in all NT/QLD/WA tropical waterways
  • bull sharks in tidal reaches

Recent community catches: anglers who caught barramundi

No barramundi catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.

Where to catch: barramundi fishing spots in Australia

Northern Territory98
Queensland23
Western Australia6

More information: barramundi references & sources

Log catch