Darwin Game Fishing Club

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲
Last night at the Darwin Game Fishing Club monthly catch up, Minister for Infrastructure Bill Yan MLA - Member for Namatjira updated members present (including the AFANT team) that the public boat ramp at Wooliana is expected to open today from midday.

This is great news, not only for the Barra Nationals but also for everyone making plans for upcoming long weekend.

Please note that the region is still in the middle of recovery from very significant flood damage. This means that accommodation and services are limited compared to normal. It is also important to recognise that as we celebrate access to the river returning, this is tempered by the fact that many local people have still not been able to return home.

Please take care on the river, as much has changed after the floods, with shallow sandbars and snags in new places. We encourage all visitors to be as safe as possible and to slow down as you learn about the new river conditions.

Fishing the Daly River is made possible thanks to an agreement between Traditional Owners and the Northern Territory Government. The official Fishing the Daly River Guide states:

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘭𝘺 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳.

Link to the Code of Conduct for Fishing the Daly River is located in the comments of this post.

We will share more info as it becomes available.

31/05/2026

Darwin Game Fishing Club June Members' Catch-up

Come and join us on Tuesday 2 June at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club at 7.00pm.
We will start with the briefing for the Junior Classic briefing and this will be followed by a presentation by David from AFANT on all the latest on the Rec Fishing scene.
Hope you can join us.

28/05/2026

STATEMENT BY THE MALAK MALAK GROUP REGARDING DALY RIVER

"We, the Malak Malak people have been managing and protecting the Daly River for thousands of years, sustaining its ecological health and in recent year safeguarding its reputation as a world-class barramundi fishery.

In the aftermath of the most severe flooding in living memory, we are very concerned about environmental damage to the river, including impacts to cultural sites, riverbank stability, and changes to sand systems and water flows. Our river is in a fragile state, and it is critical that sufficient time is allowed to assess it and allow it to recover at its own pace.

Many of us are residents of Daly River and nearby communities and many of us have been displaced and unable to return to our homes for many months. This situation requires urgent and continued attention.

While we recognise the economic importance of fishing competitions to the Northern Territory and the Daly River region, the river’s recovery must be the priority. We appreciate constructive engagement with AFANT and fishing organisations and welcome their shared commitment to protecting the river for future generations.

While we have agreed that events may proceed, we must ensure that fishing competition organisers and participants work closely with us and adhere to heightened standards of environmental and cultural care while the river remains vulnerable.

As custodians, we welcome respectful use of Country, but this must not occur at the expense of the river’s recovery and cultural integrity. We will continue to actively advocate for the protection of the river during this critical period.

Those of us who remain unable to access our homes and lands, while visitor access continues, should not be forgotten. We are very happy to hear that some residents will be returning to Daly River later this week, and we urge the Northern Territory Government to ensure that all remaining residents are able to return as soon as possible."

18/05/2026

It's National Volunteer Week and the Darwin Game Fishing Club would like to sincerely thank all of our fantastic volunteers, who help out with juniors, tournaments, raffles and general club duties.

You are truly appreciated.

09/05/2026

08/05/2026

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞
AFANT has been advised that a 2-month closure of the Nightcliff Jetty for upgrade works is currently scheduled to commence Monday 11 May, with the jetty expected to remain closed until 15 July 2026.

We have raised significant concerns with the Department about the timing of the closure and the lack of prior consultation before this week’s stakeholder notice was issued.

The planned closure period coincides with peak Dry Season use and visitation, including the June–July school holidays. This one of the busiest times of year for community use of the jetty, especially for families, kids and other visitors seeking safe, accessible and affordable outdoor recreation.

Following constructive engagement with the Department and Minister Yan, we are hopeful a compromise may still be possible - particularly around restoring public access during the busy school holiday period.

At this stage however, unless further changes are confirmed, the jetty is still scheduled to close from Monday. (Jetty head, full jetty closure begins the following week).

The works are intended to improve safety and extend the life of the structure, and 𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. The planned upgrades include corrosion treatment, decking repairs, structural works and safety improvements.

We have confirmed that these important planned works are essential but are not urgent repairs. However, we do understand there can be challenges for the Department scheduling marine infrastructure works around wet season constraints.

Our team will continue engaging with Government as we seek a better outcome and will keep the community updated as more information becomes available.

05/05/2026

The NT Budget is out. Here’s what it means for recreational fishers 🎣

Today our CEO attended the 2026 Budget Lockup at Parliament House. Industry representatives heard an address from NT Treasurer Bill Yan and met with Treasury officials.

Here are some key takeaways from the 2026/27 NT Budget:
There is ongoing support for core programs — and while spending is modest overall, there are some significant and very important investments to address key priorities.

✔️ $2.5M over 2 years to support a new Golden Snapper Recovery Plan
✔️ $4M over 2 years to strengthen fisheries compliance (double existing funding)
✔️ $4.5M in fishing infrastructure funding retained (re-voted from the 2016 $50M Rec Fishing Commitment)

Things we will continue to track:
➖Specific recreational fishing infrastructure projects being identified against the funding
➖Fishing access negotiations and agreements with Traditional Owners
➖Barramundi gillnet buyout (With a July 2027 timeline, this is likely one to watch in next year’s Budget)

There are also several indirect positives for fishers, including:
✔️ Flood repair works (e.g. Wooliana Road)
✔️ Upgrades to key routes like the Arnhem and Roper Highways
✔️ $10M investment in NT Parks for facility upgrades including at Silkwood, and an additional $5M per year for ongoing Parks operations

AFANT’s initial take:
This Budget supports progress on some important issues with additional funding - particularly around Golden Snapper and compliance. It seems there remains some available carried-over funding for infrastructure projects too. The details will be important, and we will continue to work with the Northern Territory Government to help ensure the best possible outcomes from the committed budget.

04/05/2026

04/05/2026

Darwin Game Fishing Club
May Members' Catch-up, Tuesday 5 May at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club from 7.00pm.

We have a great line up for our May catch-up, starting with a talk from the Bureau of Meteorology and what to expect in the upcoming months and the expected Super El Nino, as well as any changes we will see from climate change.
This will be followed up by a presentation by club member Peter Politis from Carefish, talking about barramundi as well as the recent Golden Snapper discussions.

Great raffle prizes to be won, and lots of angler draws.
Remember parking is available at the back of the Trailer Boat Club in the compound area. Please stay on the left-hand side of the compound,

Hope to see you there.