Fishing Hot Spots in the Moreton Bay Region

Whether it be from a boat, bridge, a jetty or shore, the Moreton Bay Region has a great range of options for anglers, both experienced and novice, to try their luck.

The adventurous can head out into the deep water where you can pull in cobia, marlin, billfish and wahoo.

In the calmer waters of the bay tailor, squid, snapper and whiting can be lured to take a bait.

The region’s three rivers — North Pine, South Pine and Caboolture — can be fished from the banks or on the water.

Leis Park at Petrie is a good launching spot for a day out on the North Pine River, which has three boat ramps.

These rivers offer a variety of fish species, including bass, flathead, cod, bream, mud crabs and prawns, jewfish, mangrove jack, tailor, trevally, mullet and whiting.

And anglers should not forget about the inland freshwater lakes where regular restocking of thousands of fingerlings ensures there’s plenty to wet a line for.

The bountiful waters of Moreton Bay are covered by a zoning plan of allowable activities and anglers need to be aware of the 13 green, or no-take, areas.

All forms of fishing and collecting, including line fishing, trolling, crabbing, bait gathering, bait netting, netting, spearfishing and trawling are prohibited in these zones.

Green zoned areas include parts of Pumicestone channel, Hays Inlet, Godwin Beach, Woody Point and Bramble Bay.

Anglers need to know the boundaries and boat ramps have signs with information.

There are more than 20 boat ramps throughout the region, owned by either Transport and Main Roads or the Moreton Bay Regional Council, providing access to lakes, rivers and the bay.

Information can also be obtained from the Moreton Bay Marine Park User Guide and the Department of Environment and Science.

Freshwater fishing should not be discounted, with native fish such as Australian bass, golden perch and silver perch on offer, as well as saratoga and Mary River cod.

Lake Samsonvale

Also known as North Pine Dam, this lake offers a diverse experience for the keen angler along with a healthy fishery at Joyner.

The lake is divided into five zones with only two zones accessible for fishing from a vessel.

Zone 3 is the original boating area for tinnie / kayak, and electric only.

Only those with an existing Boating Access Permit (BAS) can access this northern section of the lake, permits from the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association are available. Read prfma.com.au

Zone 3 has ample parking for motor vehicles and trailers, with also a boat ramp and a toilet block. Access to these facilities is through a locked gate off Adsets Road.

Zone 2, Forgan Cove, is open only to manually-powered paddle craft for public access.

A car park, toilet block and launch area was officially opened last November

Fishing onshore at McGavin 's View and Bullocky Rest is permitted.

Lake Kurwongbah

Shore-based fishing is permited at Mick Hanfling Park and paddle craft anglers are allowed seven days a week in daylight hours.

Anglers need a Stocked Impoundment Scheme (SIP) permit to fish at either lake. These can be obtained at some post offices or online at qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/dams

Fishing for beginners

For those keen to learn the art of achieving a tight line, the council runs monthly fishing lessons for beginners for just $5 for adults and $2 for children. Visit moretonbay.qld.gov.au for details.