Moreton Bay is widely considered to be a fishing enthusiast’s paradise. The area is inhabited by several species, perfect for recreational anglers of all skill levels.
Moreton Bay is home to many hidden fishing spots, each with unique characteristics. No matter what fish you’re after, or your skill as an angler, Moreton Bay has a fishing spot perfect for you.
In this article, we will share what these spots are, how to get there, and what species you can expect to catch.
What are the Best Fish to Catch in Moreton Bay?
The primary species you’d find at the bay are Bream, Snappers, Sweetlips, and Whiting. There are also a decent number of Cobia, Mackerel, Tuna, Cod, Jewfish, Trevally, and Mangrove Jacks. Anglers who fish all year round would likely hunt Snappers, Breams, Flatheads, Whitings, and Cods.
Those hunting specific species may want to head to the bay in certain seasons. For instance, the Moreton Bay Snapper is best caught during Winter to Spring. Trevally, Bream, and Diver Whiting tend to be best caught during winter as well. For pelagic fishing for tuna and mackerel, summer is the best time.
What are the Best Fishing Spots in Moreton Bay?
Moreton Bay is relatively shallow, with most areas only being one to eight metres deep. This offers some diversity in fishing spots, with people being able to fish in both land and water-based fishing spots, giving freedom of choice to boaters and kayakers.
1. Lake Samsonvale
Lake Samsonvale
is an impoundment of water formed from the North Pine Dam – located at the North Pine River. The fish stocks at Lake Samsonvale have been maintained by the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) since 1991.
The fish stocked were Australian Bass, Yellow Belly (Golden Perch), Snub Nose Gar, Mary River Cod, and Saratoga. The lake is also home to Tilapia and Red Claw Crays, which are both not native to the area and should not be re-released under any circumstances if caught.
The Tilapia at the lake have reached numbers that are considered pest level, so catching a lot of these would be in the lake’s best interest! The well-known fishing spots in the lake include Bullocky Rest, McGavin View, Forgan Park, Forgan Cove, and Kobble Creek. Boating and shore fishing here strictly requires a permit and are obtainable from the Samsonvale Water Sports Association or the PRFMA.
2. Godwin Beach
Named after Charles Godwin, who owned a fish cannery by the beach, Godwin Beach is a small coastal suburb found in the northern reaches of Deception Bay, five minutes away from Bribie Island. The location is known to nature lovers and bird watchers due to the area’s serenity and the ease of spotting animals.
The beach is a favourite of those who love to go crabbing and fishing. There is an abundance of bream, whiting, and flathead in the waters of the beach, making it ideal as a get-together activity with family and friends. For those who want to take a break from fishing, there is a nearby Nature Reserve where wildlife such as Kangaroos can be seen grazing in their natural habitats.
3. Bribie Island
Bribie Island is good for both novice and experienced anglers, whether it’s fishing on the shore or with a boat. You can get to the island by crossing a road bridge from the Caboolture turn-off on the Bruce Highway.
At Bongaree Jetty (south of the bridge), the water is roughly 7.5 metres deep and home to mulloways, juvenile snappers, breams, flatheads, cod, parrot perches, and Moses perches, among others. These can usually be caught at any time during the year. Keep in mind that there are no-fish zones on the island, so it is highly recommended that you identify the fishing zones beforehand.
4. Pumicestone Channel
The Pumicestone Channel is located between Bribie Island and mainland Queensland. It serves as an important breeding ground for many fish, crab and prawn species. The channel’s role in housing juvenile fish forms the basis of Moreton Bay’s commercial and recreational catches.
The Pumicestone channel is a fantastic recreational fishing area for whiting and an important commercial fishing area for ocean beach mullets. Australian bass, blue salmon, estuary cod, flathead, garfish, jewfish, luderick, mangrove jack, and tailor are among the fish species found in the channel. Non-fish species include the eastern king and greasyback prawns.
5. Woody Point
Perched at the southernmost portion of the Redcliffe Peninsula, the Woody Point Jetty is popular among local fishermen. Even if you’re going for recreational fishing, you’d be treated to a perfect sunset and a view of sea life, such as dugongs, dolphins, and turtles occasionally popping up to show themselves. Catching bream, flounder, whiting, and flathead around the area is common.
The area is also home to several eateries and shops that give Woody Point a very relaxed seaside atmosphere. If you come on a Sunday, you can watch yachts racing in the bay before returning to the Humpybong Yacht Club.
6. Lake Kurwongbah
Lake Kurwongbah (Sideling Creek Dam), located north of Brisbane near Petri, is a stocked impoundment. It is stocked by the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) with golden perch, Australian bass, cod, and saratoga. The lake is widely known for its saratoga fishery.
Fishing is permitted via paddle craft and at the shoreline, but boating and water skiing are only permitted for members and guests of the Lake Kurwongbah Water Ski Zone and Waterski Queensland. Facilities can be found at the nearby Mick Hanfling Park, and the lake’s day-use area contains picnic tables and barbecues.
7. Sandstone Point
Sandstone Point is a saltwater area located at the southern tip of the Pumicestone Channel and is considered a gateway to Bribie island. The nearby Bribie Beach Shack has fishing gear for those who need it. Cocks Rocks is an area at Sandstone Point where breams are known to be found in high numbers and are easily caught.
Make sure to use small hard bodies and soft plastic lures if you’re aiming to catch Winter snappers here. Flatheads tend to lurk around the Toorbul Point during the run-out tide, while breams emerge during a rising tide.
8. Bramble Bay
Bramble Bay is located north of Brisbane, roughly a 25-minute drive. It is an embayment of Moreton Bay in South East Queensland. The bay spans from the Hornibrook Bridge and through Houghton Highway. School mackerel, dusky flathead, surf bream, bull shark, and Australasian snapper are among the most commonly caught species in the waters.
9. Elimbah Creek
Situated near the hamlet Meldale and the village Toorbul, Elimbah Creek flows along the Pumicestone Channel, and it contains a good amount of bream, flathead, and whitings for recreational fishing. In summer, you can fish the shallow portions on a rising tide to catch breams and whitings, while flatheads are at the drop-offs all year round.
Mangrove jacks can be caught further upstream during summer. Australasian snappers have also been recorded as being caught here.
What Time of Year is Best for Fishing in Moreton Bay?
Winter to Spring would be the best time to fish if you’re aiming for Moreton Bay Snappers. Winter would be good for those wanting to catch Trevally, Bream, and Diver Whiting, while summer is the best time for tuna and mackerel. Ultimately, when you fish in Moreton Bay depends on the fish you want to catch.
Do I Need a Licence to Fish in Moreton Bay?
Yes, you need a fishing licence to fish in Moreton Bay, but only for areas with ‘stocked’ compounds. If the waters or the area does not have stocked impoundments, then anglers do not have to secure and purchase a permit.
Despite this, bag limits and minimum fish sizes still apply across the state. Specific fishing restrictions based on species will apply, so it may be best to consult the QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Is Moreton Bay Overfished?
Although not officially deemed an ‘overfished location’, over the last 170 years, Moreton Bay has become one of the most intensely fished areas in the Queensland coastline, accounting for approximately a third of the state’s recreational fishing activities.
Some fisheries in the bay have had resource concerns, including overfishing vulnerability. If you are fishing in the area, it’s important to fish responsibly to ensure that fish species will be around for generations to come.
Related Questions
Where Can I Get Fishing Supplies in Moreton Bay?
There aren’t many big stores or sellers around the Moreton Bay area for fishing supplies. If you are planning a fishing day, or a weekend getaway with recreational fishing in mind, it is highly recommended that you stock up on fishing supplies beforehand to ensure you don’t run out during a fishing outing.
Are There Crocodiles in Moreton Bay?
No, although there have been historical sightings of crocodiles south of Moreton Bay (along the Tweed River), the current temperatures in Moreton Bay are not high enough to maintain a population of crocodiles, even if a couple were to find their way into the bay.
