The upstream migration of early life stages of fish is crucial for maintaining riverine populations. However, barriers in the lower sections of rivers can hinder this process, particularly for diadromous and amphidromous species. While fishways are widely used to restore connectivity, many designs remain ineffective for passing large numbers of early life stages. At the Fitzroy Barrage, a new type of tidal-influenced fishway has been installed, which combines features of a cone fishway and a fish lock, incorporating the advantages of both systems. We present initial findings demonstrating the successful upstream movement of multiple fish species across various life stages. Our observations highlight the potential of this hybrid design to enhance the efficiency with which fish pass through the structure, particularly for smaller individuals and those in the early stages of their life cycle, in tidal river environments.