Fishing is one of Bowen's biggest attractions, with numerous creek systems, coral studded islands, offshore reefs, and most importantly, abundant fish life.
Bowen has many creek systems, which hold healthy numbers of Mangrove-jack, Bream, Whiting and Barramundi (closed season Nov 1st-Feb 1st).
South of Bowen, you'll find Adelaide and Duck Creeks, which can be accessed by sea around the top of the tide only, via beach ramps.
To the north of Bowen, try the Bob Moses, Boat and Meatwork Creeks which can also be accessed by sea, around the top of the high tide, from the Don River Boat Ramp.
It is important to keep in mind that access to all of our creeks is limited. All may be entered by sea at high tide, but many become landlocked by the tidal flats at low tide.
Offshore Fishing
Bowen offers a multitude of offshore fishing options, and you will only need to go a short way to access many of the inshore islands and reefs, which hold good numbers of Coral Trout, Sweetlip and Mackerel.
These islands include Lighthouse, Stone, Middle and the magnificent Gloucester and Holbourne islands, all of which, have abundant reef for both line and spear fishing, especially for the very tasty painted crayfish.
Bowen is renowned for its Spotted and Spanish Mackerel fishing, and from June through to September, the bountiful Bowen Mackerel patches are only a short, 5km boat run from the Grays Bay Boat Ramp. These fish arrive in huge numbers and when they come to the bite, the fishing is simply world class.
Fishing from the Mainland
Even if you don't have a boat, there are plenty of land-based options in Bowen, including the Bowen Jetty, the rocks at the southern end of Kings Beach and the rocky outcrops at Horseshoe, Grays and Rose Bays. They often deliver good sized fish, as well as squid on jigs in winter. Whiting are caught around creek mouths in the town area, including Magazine Creek near the boat harbour, Doughty's Creek at the western edge of town and Sandhills Creek at Kings Beach.
Boat Ramps
There are 7 public Boat Ramps in and around Bowen. All ramps are dependent on tidal movement, so please check tide times before planning your fishing or sailing trip.
-Bowen Harbour Ramp, which accesses the Bowen Marina, is located on Starboard Drive. Concrete, with multiple lanes.
-Grays Bay Boat Ramp on Horseshoe Bay Road, is also concrete with two lanes.
-The mouth of the Don River at Yasso Point, Queens Beach. This ramp is not suitable for large craft, has a single lane, but is also concreted.
-Adelaide Creek ramp is a 15-minute drive south of Bowen. Access is only for 4-wheel-drives and the ramp is not concrete.
-Brisk Bay ramp: Travel south from Bowen for 20 minutes, turn left onto Heronvale Road; this ramp is also a beach ramp.
-Molongle Creek boat ramp: Turn right off the Bruce Highway, onto Molongle Beach Road, 55 kilometres north of Bowen. The Molongle Creek Boat Club offers modern facilities and they are open to the public. There are four concrete boat ramps.
-Elliot River boat ramp: Turn right off the Bruce Highway onto Wally Sproule Road, 50 kilometres north of Bowen. Not concreted.