It’s no secret that Queensland offers some of the most prolific fishing on the Australian continent. Locals know and live it, and visiting anglers quickly discover and fall in love with it. Fisheries here tick all the boxes – they’re rich, diverse, and above all, accessible. That’s why choosing the very best fishing spots in Queensland is no easy task. There are so many of them, each better than the last.
The Sunshine State of the southern hemisphere is famous for its premier deep sea fishing potential, and how could it not be? This is one of the top places on the planet to chase Black Marlin, and that alone is enough to put it on your to-fish list. Add to that the proximity of the world’s biggest reef, countless estuaries, beaches, and you’ve got yourself a party. And then, you’ve got inland waters teeming with freshwater fish for freshwater enthusiasts.
As you can see, opportunities abound, and if you’re looking for a place to start, take a look through our top Queensland fishing spots. You’ll get some ideas, for sure!
Port Douglas
Let’s start with one of the northernmost fishing epicentres, Port Douglas. With the sheer number of game fish (over 270) on offer, it’s not hard to figure out what’s so appealing about this beautiful coastal town. There’s not a dull day on the waves here, and whenever you come, there’s something tasty and hard-fighting to target.
Queensland’s northern tropics are a paradise for avid Billfish chasers. The Black Marlin action is so good here that it rivals even Cairns’ reputation. We’re talking giants that can reach over 500 kilograms with the strength of a freight train. Then you’ve got your Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Giant Trevally…the list goes on. Thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas boasts excellent reef fishing as well. Anything from Red Emperor Snapper to Coral Trout is on the cards.
But the town isn’t just about bluewater game fishing. Rivers, estuaries, creeks, and beaches will not disappoint either. Whether you’re in the mood for Mangrove Jack, Threadfin Salmon, Queenfish on the fly, Tarpon, or Permit, you’re in the right place. In truth, wherever you cast your line in Port Douglas, you just can’t go wrong!
Cairns
It’s hardly a surprise that Cairns is one of the best fishing spots in Queensland. The city is a sport fishing mecca and easily one of the best fishing spots on the continent. Also known as the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef”, Cairns’ fantastic fishing reputation is well justified. There are two distinct seasons, wet and dry, each offering something good, but if you’ve got your sights set on Marlin, then spring is the best time to visit.
Australians would argue that there’s no better place on the planet than Cairns to go after Black Marlin. From September and all through December, the city and its offshore realms become the playground of these magnificent beasts. Since these waters are in the Net Free Fishing Zone, where commercial fishing is prohibited, the Marlin population is thriving. You’ll find your prey beyond the reefs, around the Continental Shelf.
Don’t like being on a boat? No worries! Beach fishing in Cairns is on point, with anything from Trevally and Barra to Queenfish on the menu. Machans Beach is one of many known for its solid bite all year round. So even if you’re not in the mood for pursuing the biggest fish of your life, you’ll be far from bored.
Kurrimine Beach
If you prefer a quaint fishing town over bustling city marinas, then you should head to Kurrimine Beach. With a holiday park at your disposal and the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef but a short boat ride away, you’ll quickly fall in love with this destination. It doesn’t hurt that fishing is very good.
Anglers visit Kurrimine Beach when they’re in the mood for a mixed bag, both when it comes to fish species and fishing techniques. You won’t have to travel far to be in the domain of prized reef fish like Giant Trevally, King Mackerel, and even Tuna. You never know what a good day of trolling could reward you with. If you prefer bottom dwellers, then you’ll be treated to a slew of Snappers, Nannygai, and Coral Trout.
Cast a line from land, around creeks, estuaries, and beaches, for a variety of beauts like Mangrove Jack, Jungle Perch, Fingermark Bream, and Grunter. Crabbing fans will enjoy setting pots for their share of Mud Crabs. You can either hit the water alone or hire a local skipper to show you around. Whatever you decide, don’t miss a chance to admire Kurrimine Beach and the excellent fishing that put it on our list of best fishing spots in Queensland.
Yeppoon
You’ll find no shortage of excellent fishing spots all along the Capricorn Coast. Among many fishing towns, Yeppoon stands out as one of the best options for shore anglers. Here, you’ll be spoilt for choice, whether you’re after freshwater or saltwater fun times.
Yeppoon’s waters are within the Net Free Fishing Zone, which means that fishing is reserved for recreational fishermen only. Its coastal waters are brimming with a great number of species, and Barramundi is probably the most coveted of the lot. You can catch them on the creeks and in the city proper. Whiting, Threadfin Salmon, Flathead, and Jewfish are all popular species.
On the saltwater side, there’s plenty to do too. Nearby reefs and Keppel Islands are magnets for the likes of Snapper, Cobia, and King Mackerel. What also confirms Yeppoon’s ample angling opportunities is the number of fishing tournaments and events that happen throughout the year. A lot of them like the WTF Women That Fish Barra Classic and Rocky Barra Bounty take place on the Fitzroy River, a watershed that should definitely be explored and enjoyed. Just like the whole of Yeppoon!
Boyne Island
Welcome to the home of Australia’s biggest family fishing festival – The Boyne Tannum HookUp. Every year, thousands of people from all over the continent flock to this small coastal town in search of good fishing. It makes sense, seeing that the area’s freshwater and saltwater have enviable quantities and quality of fish.
Some of the most sought-after species are trophy-sized Barramundi. Anglers go after these large-scale fellas both because they’re not easy to catch and because they can grow to be over one metre long. And this is just to get you started. In the inshore realm, you’ll enjoy the bite of Jewfish and Grunter, and you can even go sight fishing for Queenfish on the flats.
Venture further out, to the offshore reefs, and you’ll be battling all the greats. That means that Marlin, Tuna, Mackerel, and Giant Trevally could make an appearance and give you a run for your money. Let’s not forget about the good numbers of Snappers and Coral Trout there for the taking. Whether you come to Boyne Island for the festival or just for a fishing interlude, chances are, you won’t come out of it empty-handed.
Hervey Bay
Head further south, and you’ll arrive at another one of the best fishing spots in Queensland, the city of Hervey Bay. There are many reasons that make this destination special, humpback whales and great fishing being a couple of them. In winter and spring, this is the place to be for whale watching lovers, and angling excursions can easily be paired with mesmerising whale sightings.
Fraser Island is right next to Hervey Bay and its surrounding waters are the hunting grounds of many desirable fish. Pinkies, Red Emperor, Sweetlip, Coral Trout, and Parrotfish are some of the most commonly caught fish in this area. Depending on the time of year, you could also stumble upon Trevally, Bream, Pearl Perch, and Whiting.
Sport fishermen arrive to Hervey Bay just in time for Billfish high season. At the beginning of the year, Sailfish, Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin enter the scene. A few months later, Tuna join the fray in greater numbers, though they’re available all year. King Mackerel and GTs stick around as well, so you’ll have a hard time choosing where to start.
Noosa Shire
Nestled on the Sunshine Coast and a stone’s throw from the Coral Sea’s rich fishing grounds, Noosa Shire offers diverse fishing and almost-eternal sunshine. Freshwater anglers come here for Noosa River, while saltwater explorers hit both nearshore and remote reefs, looking for excitement.
Let’s start with the Noosa River. One of the most popular watersheds in Queensland, Noosa’s got something for everyone. Its brackish coastal waters are home to Barra, Tailor, and Flathead. Head further up, and you’ll be fishing in freshwater, where there’s plenty of Australian Bass and Bream for everyone. Along the way, you may also stop by one of the lakes on the river, like Lake Weyba and Lake Como.
If reef fishing is more your game, Noosa Shire is a great place to test out the waters. What you’ll catch depends on the time of year and location. The offshore bite around Jew Shoal, Chardons Reef, Halls Reef, and Sunshine Reef is superb more often than not. For you, this means plenty of chances to hook into Snapper, Kingfish, Perch species, and even Southern Bluefin Tuna. Oh, and did we mention the beautiful weather year-round?
Brisbane
We can’t talk about the best fishing spots in Queensland without mentioning the state’s capital. Brisbane’s variety of fish perfectly mirrors the diversity of the whole Sunshine State, as well as all the sightseeing you can do in between your angling escapades. Whether you visit during the winter or summer fishing season, you’ll have a lot to look forward to.
One of the most popular attractions in Brisbane is cruising up and down the Brisbane River. But why not fish it instead? You don’t even have to go to the beaches or marinas to enjoy the bite of Bream, Flathead, and Whiting. If you don’t mind going out of the city centre and to the dams, you’ll be rewarded with strong Australian Bass fishing. Brisbanites are proud of the local Bass action and make the most of it on the reg.
That’s not to say that sea fishing should be neglected. Come summer, hotspots like the Port of Brisbane, Wellington Point Jetty, and Moreton Bay are full of anglers looking for their next thrill. Warm days bring the A-listers to inshore waters and have them feeding around the bay. Think Cobia, King Mackerel, Trevally, and Tuna of all sizes. Bottom fishing could yield good numbers of Sweetlip, Jewfish, Flathead, and different Snappers.
Gold Coast
We’ve reached the southernmost destination on our list of best fishing spots in Queensland – the stunning Gold Coast. The city is famous for its deep sea fishing that’s up to par with Cairns and Port Douglas. It helps that action closer to shore is strong year-round. The whole city seems like it’s centred around fishing, with endless canals and creeks running through it.
Offshore fishermen coming to Gold Coast are usually on the lookout for their next trophy catch. Billfish are on everyone’s minds here, namely Blue and Black Marlin. Ultimate bluewater fighters show up in late spring and stick around until February, which gives you several months to go fishing. While fishing the deep, you might get a chance to face off against other offshore dwellers like Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, big Snapper, and Tuna.
Deep sea fishing has a very important place on the Gold Coast’s fishing stage, but let’s not forget about inshore species. Casting a line in a canal or estuary can be a lot of fun for land-based anglers. Here they can find impressive numbers of Australia’s favourite fish, Flathead. There’s also a lot of Bream, Tailor, Mulloway, and Pearl Perch in the cards. Hands down, Gold Coast can provide you with some of the most exhilarating fishing in the state, if not the country.
Best Fishing Spots in Queensland: Enough Excitement for Several Lifetimes
If we were to compare, Queensland would be the equivalent of Florida in the US, which is maybe that’s why they share the same nickname. Whatever your prey of choice is – Marlin, Tuna, Barramundi, or Bass – there’s a fishing spot in Queensland with your name on it. And what a wonderful time you’ll have!
If you crave more information on how to fish in Australia, take a look at our Australia fishing guide and learn about fish species, hotspots, angling techniques, and regulations.
What are your fishing experiences in Queensland? Is there a spot we should include in our list? Do you have any tips for your fellow fishos? Let’s talk in the comments.
