Ross River

Boat Ramps: 7
Access Points: 9
Species: 5

The Ross River system in Queensland, Australia is a diverse freshwater fishery flowing through the Townsville region, culminating in the Ross River Dam. The river supports a rich mix of native and introduced fish species, creating varied angling opportunities from its upper reaches to the dam impoundment. Access is regulated, with specific rules for the freshwater sections and designated fishing areas at the dam.

Queensland licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Ross River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Australian Longfin Eel

Anguilla reinhardtii

Barramundi

Lates calcarifer

Black Catfish

Neosilurus ater

Hyrtl's Catfish

Neosilurus hyrtlii

Mozambique Tilapia

Oreochromis mossambicus

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Ross River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Ross River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Queensland licenses and regulations

Queensland Boating Regulations

Official Queensland Government boating and marine hub (Maritime Safety Queensland), covering recreational marine and PWC licences, boat registration, safety equipment, speed limits, and the general safety obligation.

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Queensland Fishing License

Queensland has no general recreational fishing licence - most saltwater and freshwater fishing needs no licence. The exception is line fishing in stocked dams/weirs: anyone 18 or over needs a Stocked Impoundment Permit, which this official Fisheries Queensland page explains.

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Queensland Fishing Regulations

Official Queensland Government recreational fishing rules hub, covering size and possession limits (tidal and fresh waters), closed seasons and waters, regulated and no-take species, and permitted gear.

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Queensland Stream Access Laws

Queensland has no single dedicated stream-access page; this is the closest official page for anglers, listing which state-owned dams and weirs allow public recreational access for fishing, camping and boating, with per-site restrictions.

Learn more

Take Ross River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Ross River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Ross River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

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