Salt water depth chart
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91,193-acre Bowling Green Bay. Central Australian saltwater fishing map showing only directly measured AusBathyTopo 2026 cells, source-qualified fishing spots, official regional fish evidence, seasonal forage context, access guidance and current-rule links. Central trip-scale surveyed footprint within Bowling Green Bay. A large tropical bay of mangrove creeks, shallow flats and exposed reefward approaches south of Townsville. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 93 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Bowling Green Bay - Central draws 91,209 acres inside 67.8 miles of shoreline. Index 1.6 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. 6% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 20.3 mi of water from one end to the other, 16.2 mi at the beam. For a second option, Bowling Green Bay - South lies 7 mi south.
Regional occurrence does not mean equal abundance, child-specific catch rate, retention permission or a promised catch. Live state, territory, Commonwealth, protected-area and local rules always control. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| barramundi (Barramundi) | official species listing | — |
| golden snapper (Golden Snapper) | official species listing | — |
| black jewfish (Black Jewfish) | official species listing | — |
| king threadfin (King Threadfin) | official species listing | — |
| queenfish (Queenfish) | official species listing | — |
| giant trevally (Giant Trevally) | official species listing | — |
| mangrove jack (Mangrove Jack) | official species listing | — |
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
When the water first warms, barramundi slide up into 2 to 18 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 2 to 18 ft, winter 11 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Sharp break: a drop-off around 25 ft that scores good in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (25 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (25 ft) | see map |
Come spring, look for golden snapper tight to the bank in 8 to 35 ft. Through summer count on 8 to 35 ft; the winter hold is 21 to 80 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 41 ft of water and rates good come fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (41 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (41 ft) | see map |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: black jewfish in 8 to 35 ft. The depth story barely changes: 8 to 35 ft through summer, 21 to 90 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deepest basin, a deep basin in the 93 ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (41 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Deepest basin (93 ft) | see map |
When the water first warms, king threadfin slide up into 2 to 16 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 2 to 16 ft, winter 10 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Feeding flat: a feeding flat around 28 ft that scores good in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Feeding flat (28 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (25 ft) | see map |
Spring puts queenfish in skinny water — 3 to 25 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 3 to 25 ft, and winter fish hold in 15 to 55 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 25 ft, rated prime for fall queenfish. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (25 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (41 ft) | see map |
When the water first warms, giant trevally slide up into 4 to 30 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 4 to 30 ft, winter 18 to 80 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shoreline point: a point around 22 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (22 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (41 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (41 ft) | see map |
Bowling Green Bay - Central also holds mangrove jack (2 to 18 ft in summer), narrow-barred spanish mackerel (8 to 45 ft in summer), coral trout (8 to 35 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 9 structure features on Bowling Green Bay - Central; the deepest is Deepest basin at about 93 ft.
No facility from the cited Queensland recreational boating facilities source was spatially attached within 3 km of this directly measured map footprint during the 2026-09-08 audit. This is an evidence gap, not a claim that public access is absent. Check the official portal, live site signs, tides, ramp condition, vessel suitability, fees, parking, working-port restrictions and landowner permissions before travel: https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Queensland waters are set by the Queensland Government (current recreational-fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to Bowling Green Bay - Central specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check Queensland's live tidal-water size and possession limits, closed seasons and closed waters before every trip. During a closed season, official guidance can prohibit targeting a species even for catch-and-release. Also verify marine-park zoning, protected and no-take species, gear rules, bait-movement controls and local access directions. A mapped survey footprint or fishing spot is not legal permission to fish, retain catch, enter, park or launch.
Check the official Queensland fishing regulations →
Queensland Government tidal-water limits →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Bowling Green Bay - Central is about 93 ft (28 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Queensland Department of Primary Industries regional evidence informs the barramundi, golden snapper, black jewfish, king threadfin, queenfish, giant trevally, mangrove jack, narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Bowling Green Bay - Central. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
Sharp break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 25 ft of water that rates prime for queenfish in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For barramundi, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Bowling Green Bay - Central is regulated by the Queensland Government (current recreational-fishing rules). Check the official Queensland regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Bowling Green Bay - South 7 mi · Cleveland Bay - East 10 mi · Bowling Green Bay - West 10 mi · Cleveland Bay - West 13 mi · Bowling Green Bay - East 14 mi · Bowling Green Bay - Southeast 16 mi · Cleveland Bay - Northeast 31 mi · Coconut Bay 116 mi · White Bay 136 mi · Joseph Bay 181 mi · Trinity Inlet - North 194 mi · Trinity Inlet - Northwest 197 mi
Browse all Queensland fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.