Fishing
Eastern Beach, Fraser Island. Photo: EPA.
Recreational fishing is a popular activity in many parks. This page provides information about recreational fishing in Queensland’s national and marine parks.
Where you can fish
Recreational fishing is permitted in some national parks and some marine park zones. Fishing can be restricted to specific areas within a park. Sometimes temporary closures may be in place for management or safety reasons.
National parks
If you are planning to visit a national park to go fishing, it is important to check first whether fishing is permitted there. For more information about the rules relating to fishing in national parks, please read the QPWS Operational policy: Recreational fishing on protected areas.
Marine parks
If you are planning to visit a marine park to go fishing, it is important to check the zoning maps first, to find out whether fishing is permitted in that area, and what rules apply. For marine park zoning maps and information, see:
Permits and fees
Recreational fishing
Permits are not needed for private recreational fishing in Queensland’s marine and national parks. Permits are required for commercial fishing tours, organised group activities and competitive events.
Information on fishing bag and size limits can be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
If you wish to camp while you are fishing in a national park, camping permits are required and fees apply. Many campsites can now be booked online or by phone on 13 13 04.
Commercial fishing
Commercial fishing is not permitted in national parks but is allowed in some marine park zones. For more information about commercial fishing in marine parks in Queensland see:
Essentials to bring
- Rods, reels, lines
- Filleting knives
- Bait and foodstuff in secure, re-usable containers (see notes below about live bait)
- Bait bucket
- Tackle
- Lockable ice box or food box to secure food from wildlife
- Protective footwear
- First-aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Compass (if necessary)
- Adequate water
- Bucket or bin with lockable lids to stow rubbish
- Zoning maps when fishing in marine parks
Note:
- Live bait cannot be taken into any national park unless it is an invertebrate (e.g. worms and shrimps) and caught immediately adjacent to the park see section 124 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulations 2006.
- Hand gathering insects and other invertebrates (except for freshwater spiny crayfish) to use as bait for recreational fishing may be allowed in national parks, subject to certain conditions (see section 62 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and section 47 and schedule 6 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulations 2006.
Staying safe
- Wear a hat, shirt and sunscreen, even on overcast days, to avoid sunburn.
- Carry adequate water and drink frequently to avoid dehydration.
- Wear sturdy footwear to protect your feet.
- Wear insect repellent.
- Carry at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are the most effective. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable.
- Carry a first-aid kit and know how to use it.
- Be croc wise in croc country.
- Beware of dangerous stinging jellyfish.
- Avoid touching marine animals — some can deliver painful and dangerous stings.
Minimal impact
QPWS — Sunfish Code of conduct
- Care for the park and protect the natural environment.
- Stay on established tracks, especially on beaches.
- Keep your noise down and don’t harass wildlife.
- Be careful when anchoring.
- Refuel on land to avoid pollution.
- Discharge no waste into the water.
- Be courteous to other park visitors. Don’t boat close to shore fishers or swimmers.
- Remove your rubbish to protect wildlife and prevent pollution.
- Dump no fish offal or unwanted bait.
- Remove unwanted fishing lines, plastics and hooks from the park.
- Report any pollution or fishkill.
- Look after yourself. Seek local advice about potential dangers. Never risk your life to land a fish.
- Make sure it is legal to fish in the park. Respect any fishing closures.
- Never introduce any live fish into park waterways.
- Collect only enough bait for your immediate needs.
- Release any unwanted live bait into the same area where it was collected.
- Use legal tackle.
- Use barbless hooks, where possible, and avoid using stainless steel hooks which don’t dissolve.
- Kill legal fish required for food immediately and store them in a cool place.
- Return unwanted fish to the water immediately. Handle the fish gently to minimise stress.
- Practise sustainable fishing. Take only what you need.
Go slow for those below
When boating in shallow areas or designated “go slow” areas, go slow for those below. Watch out for turtles, dugongs and other marine animals.
Report incidents and strandings
Please report incidents such as marine pollution incidents including oil, diesel, and sewage spills to Marine Safety Queensland, ph (07) 4973 1208 (24 hours).
Please report all stranded, injured or dead dugong, whales, dolphins and turtles to the EPA Hotline on 1300 360 898.
Useful links
Government agencies
- Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
-
- www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb
- ph 13 25 23
- fax (07) 3404 6900
- email callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
-
- www.gbrmpa.gov.au
- ph (07) 4750 0700
- fax (07) 4772 6093
- email info@gbrmpa.gov.au
Associations
- Sunfish Queensland Inc
-
- www.sunfishqld.com.au
- PO Box 212, Margate QLD 4019
- ph (07) 3880 4261
- fax (07) 3880 4261
- email sunfish@modemss.brisnet.org.au
Publications
Further information
- EPA Customer Service Centre
-
- 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
- PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
- ph (07) 3227 8185
- fax (07) 3227 8749
- email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 18 October 2007
