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Brief guide to recreational fishing rules & regulations for Queensland
New rules for recreational fishing in Queensland have been in place since 1 March 2009. Download the new rules:
Recreational fishing rules and regulations for Queensland - A brief guide (PDF, 604 kB)
Recreational fishing size and bag limits for Queensland (PDF, 223 kB)
The new zoning plan for Moreton Bay Marine Park is now available from the EPA website.
Anglers do not require a licence to fish recreationally in Queensland, except if fishing in some stocked impoundments. The content below provides detailed information on anglers' responsibilities when fishing in fresh waters and tidal waters.
Tidal waters from March 1 2009
- Size, take and possession limits
- Protected and no-take species
- Measuring
- Fishing gear - tidal waters
- Spearfishing, spear guns and underwater breathing apparatus
- Collecting bait
- Skin, fillet and pectoral fin removal
- Closed seasons
- Closed waters
- Grey nurse shark protection areas
- Noxious fish
- Marine plants
- Tagged fish
- Sale of fish and other prohibitions
- Crabs and lobsters
Freshwater & stocked impoundments/dams from March 1 2009
Download the brief guide to rules and regulations in PDF format
Rules and regulations from 1 March 2009
- Recreational fishing rules and regulations for Queensland (PDF, 532 kB)
- Recreational fishing size and bag limits for Queensland (PDF, 223 kB)
Further information
Useful information for bait and tackle stores
User-friendly, download-on-demand versions of the recreational fishing guides are available for your customers. Simply print off copies of the rules and regulations, personalise them with your store logo and contact details in the space provided and allow your customer to enjoy fishing while having the latest knowledge at hand, thanks to you.
- Recreational fishing rules and regulations for Queensland - store logo copy (PDF, 602 kb)
- Recreational fishing size and bag limits - Tidal waters - store logo copy (PDF, 312 kb)
- Recreational fishing size and bag limits - Fresh waters - store logo copy (PDF, 212 kb)
For more information about fisheries regulations and other fisheries issues, contact:
- QPIF Business Information Centre
- Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol
- Interstate regulations
Other states and territories may not necessarily have the same recreational fishing rules as Queensland.
Relevant legislation, regulations and management plans may be accessed from:
- Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel (Fisheries Act, regulations and management plans)
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority (Commonwealth legislation)
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
- Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland (Queensland marine parks)
Useful information:
- 'Freshwater Fishes of the Greater Brisbane Region' (Queensland Museum)
- Farmed Crabs and legal restrictions
Disclaimer
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) advises that the summarised information on this website should not be relied on as a complete or accurate representation of the legislative requirements. Users may access copies of the Fisheries Act 1994, regulations and management plans and should seek their own legal advice. QPIF disclaims all liability for all claims, loss, damages, cost or expense of whatever nature, howsoever occurring as a result of reliance upon the information contained on this website.

