Ocean-side fishing spots on Straddie and Moreton Island
8 places to fish on the ocean side of North Stradbroke and Moreton islands: 5 you can fish from land and 3 reached only by boat. Each has its marine park zone, the winds it is sheltered from, the ramps a boat trip there leaves from, its tide place and what is in season in October.
Updated
Species seasons here follow our Straddie & Jumpinpin guide, which covers North Stradbroke (Point Lookout, Main Beach, Amity, Dunwich), South Stradbroke, Jumpinpin bar, Jacobs Well and the Pimpama/Coomera mouths. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
See this week's fishing forecast for Point Lookout: the app rates each day for shore and small-boat fishing, with the best time of day, wind, tide and what to target.
Spots at a glance
| Spot | Type | Access | Sheltered in | Zone | Tide place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Point Lookout headland | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | S, SW, W | Yellow zone CPZ07: 2 lines | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 2. Cylinder Beach | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | SE, S, SW | Dark blue zone HPZ12 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 3. Flinders Beach (North Stradbroke) | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | S, SW, W | Dark blue zone HPZ12 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 4. Blue Lake Beach (Main Beach, North Stradbroke) | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | SW, W, NW | Dark blue zone HPZ13 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 5. Moreton Island ocean beach (Eager Beach) | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | SW, W, NW | Dark blue zone HPZ02 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 6. North Stradbroke Artificial Reef | Reef · artificial reef | Boat | Open water | Dark blue zone HPZ12 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 7. Shag Rock (Point Lookout) | Reef | Boat | Open water | Dark blue zone HPZ12 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 8. Boat Rock (Point Lookout) | Reef | Boat | Open water | Yellow zone CPZ07: 2 lines | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
1. Point Lookout headland
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Tailor, Mangrove jack and Snapper (5 more in season).
- Best tide
- High tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Sheltered in S, SW and W winds; exposed to N, NE and E (faces ENE, estimated)
- Zone
- Conservation Park Zone (yellow) CPZ07 South Passage-Boat Rock: max 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per angler (a lure with up to 3 hooks, a ganged set of up to 6 hooks, or a squid or bait jig counts as one hook), max 4 crab pots, no netting except bait nets. For the water about 100 m out from here: there is no zone on the land itself.
- Note
- Easternmost headland in SEQ; tailor, bream, drummer, trevally, mulloway. Access: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket, check the swell.
- Map
- -27.43639, 153.54563 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
2. Cylinder Beach
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Flounder (4 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SE, S and SW winds; exposed to NW, N and NE (faces NNW)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ12 Flinders Beach: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- North-facing beach at Point Lookout; whiting, dart, bream. Access: Point Lookout.
- Map
- -27.42556, 153.53306 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
3. Flinders Beach (North Stradbroke)
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Flounder (4 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor
- Best wind
- Sheltered in S, SW and W winds; exposed to N, NE and E (faces ENE)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ12 Flinders Beach: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- North-facing ocean beach between Amity and Point Lookout; whiting, dart and tailor. Access by 4WD with a beach permit (Flinders Beach Drive).
- Map
- -27.40379, 153.46970 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
4. Blue Lake Beach (Main Beach, North Stradbroke)
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Flounder (4 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces ESE)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ13 North Stradbroke Island (east): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Long east-facing surf beach (Main Beach) near Blue Lake; tailor run in winter, whiting, dart and bream. Access by 4WD with a beach permit.
- Map
- -27.49781, 153.51223 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
5. Moreton Island ocean beach (Eager Beach)
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Flounder (4 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces E)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ02 Moreton Island to Broadwater: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling. For the water about 25 m out from here: there is no zone on the land itself.
- Note
- Moreton Island surf beach; tailor, dart, whiting, bream. Green zone MNP10 Cherub's Cave-Henderson Rock (~510 m) nearby. Access: Moreton Island: barge + 4WD permit.
- Map
- -27.13167, 153.43417 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
6. North Stradbroke Artificial Reef
Artificial reef: some activities are prohibited here without a permit under special activity notices (check the QPWS reef page).
- Type
- Reef · artificial reef
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 4-hour trip; about 0.7 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, School mackerel and Tuskfish (3 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for school mackerel and tuskfish; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ12 Flinders Beach: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Artificial reef off Flinders Beach; snapper, sweetlip. Access: Boat only (via South Passage bar).
- Map
- Centre of the QPWS reef area: -27.40997, 153.50703 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
7. Shag Rock (Point Lookout)
- Type
- Reef
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 4-hour trip
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, School mackerel and Tuskfish (3 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for school mackerel and tuskfish; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ12 Flinders Beach: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Rock off Cylinder Beach. Access: Boat only.
- Map
- -27.41444, 153.52556 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
8. Boat Rock (Point Lookout)
- Type
- Reef
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 4-hour trip
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, School mackerel and Tuskfish (3 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for school mackerel and tuskfish; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Conservation Park Zone (yellow) CPZ07 South Passage-Boat Rock: max 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per angler (a lure with up to 3 hooks, a ganged set of up to 6 hooks, or a squid or bait jig counts as one hook), max 4 crab pots, no netting except bait nets.
- Note
- Rock off Point Lookout. Access: Boat only.
- Map
- -27.41861, 153.55528 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Reefs and offshore marks
3 boat-only marks on the ocean side of North Stradbroke and Moreton islands: North Stradbroke Artificial Reef, Shag Rock (Point Lookout) and Boat Rock (Point Lookout). North Stradbroke Artificial Reef is also on the artificial reef GPS marks page, with GPX and CSV downloads.
| Mark | Position (decimal, DMS, DDM) | Launch from | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Stradbroke Artificial Reef | -27.40997, 153.5070327°24′36″S 153°30′25″E27°24.598′S 153°30.422′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Dark blue zone HPZ12; artificial reef: some activities need a permit |
| Shag Rock (Point Lookout) | -27.41444, 153.5255627°24′52″S 153°31′32″E27°24.866′S 153°31.534′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Dark blue zone HPZ12 |
| Boat Rock (Point Lookout) | -27.41861, 153.5552827°25′07″S 153°33′19″E27°25.117′S 153°33.317′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Yellow zone CPZ07: 2 lines |
Positions are a guide only, not for navigation: check your chart and the official zoning maps. An artificial reef's position is the centre of its QPWS reef area.
What's biting here in October?
In peak season on the ocean side of North Stradbroke and Moreton islands in October: dusky flathead, summer whiting, tailor, mangrove jack and 4 more. Of the 18 species in our Straddie & Jumpinpin guide that these spots reach, 8 peak in October 2026 and 8 more are in season.
Also in season: Flounder, Snapper, School mackerel, Tuskfish, Yellowfin bream, Mulloway, Swallowtail dart, Grass sweetlip, Longtail tuna, Estuary cod, Trevally and Tarwhine.
Out of season in October: Spotted mackerel (best Dec–Mar); Spanish mackerel (best Apr–May and Dec–Jan).
Seen now and then here, so not rated: Mac tuna and Australian bonito.
Every species and its size and bag limits: species guides. Seasons are closure-aware: a species in its closed season is never listed as in season, and its best months leave out any month with a closed day.
Species photos are used under Creative Commons or public-domain terms; see photo credits for each photographer and licence.
Can you fish here? Rules, green zones and safety
You don't need a licence to fish Queensland's tidal waters (licence rules), but size and possession limits and closed seasons apply. None of the 8 spots on this page is in a green zone. No fishing at Flat Rock (Point Lookout) and Henderson Rock.
Size and bag limits: Queensland tidal size and possession limits (our species guides were checked 8 Oct 2026). Fishing rules for South East Queensland.
No fishing here
- No fishing at Flat Rock (Point Lookout): Inside green zone MNP19 Flat Rock, also a no-anchoring and grey nurse shark area: no fishing.
- No fishing at Henderson Rock: Inside green zone MNP10 Cherub's Cave–Henderson Rock, a grey nurse shark area: no fishing.
Bars and open water
Trips to sea from here cross the South Passage Bar. MSQ: only experienced skippers with local knowledge should cross. Lifejackets must be worn crossing a designated bar in an open boat, or in an open area of any boat (the law since 1 Dec 2024, enforced from 1 Jul 2025; MSQ, checked 9 Oct 2026). We never call a crossing safe: check the conditions yourself.
Ocean rocks here (Point Lookout headland): wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
Marine rescue
Log on and off with MRQ North Stradbroke (ask the unit for log-on details). Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF 16 for distress (checked 8 Oct 2026).
Weather and zones
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: Gold Coast Waters forecast and Current warnings. Marine park zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official zoning maps and app.
Other rules in parts of South East Queensland
Each rule's text says where it applies.
- White spot disease movement area (Caloundra to the NSW border, 100 m off Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke, inland to Ipswich): prawns, saltwater yabbies, marine worms and other crustaceans must not leave it unless cooked; decontaminate gear and boats when leaving. Exempt: spanner, three-spotted, blue swimmer and mud crabs, bugs, lobsters, red claw. Never use raw supermarket prawns as bait. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Prawn-farm channels: Biosecurity Area 2 near Logan-area prawn farms (e.g. Jacobs Well, Pimpama, Steiglitz, Woongoolba, Southern Moreton Bay Islands): no line fishing in farm intake/drainage channels or within 100 m of them; crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps are allowed. Follow the signs. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Bivalves: pipis only: Bivalves and gastropods are no take in Moreton Bay and all tidal waters flowing into it, except pipis (30). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Coombabah Lake and Creek: Coombabah Lake and the tidal waters of Coombabah Creek upstream of the lake (Gold Coast): all fishing prohibited. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Spearfishing: No spearfishing within 100 m of any public jetty from the Noosa River south; also banned in Lake Weyba/lower Noosa River, the lower Maroochy (incl. the Cod Hole), the Mooloolah below Nicklin Way, parts of Pumicestone Passage, Jumpinpin and the Southport Broadwater/Seaway (south of 27°42′S), Tallebudgera Creek and the artificial reef off Cowan Cowan. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Lota–Wynnum worm digging: No worm digging on the Wynnum foreshore (Lota Creek to the Wynnum North Esplanade groyne); hand pumps only in Fish Habitat Areas. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- NSW waters: South of Point Danger (Tweed, Kingscliff, Cook Island) is NSW: NSW rules apply and a NSW recreational fishing licence is required (not covered here). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Nearby fishing areas
- Cleveland, Peel Island and Straddie (about 19 km south-west)
- Victoria Point and Redland Bay (about 29 km south-west)
- Wynnum, Manly and Wellington Point (about 30 km west)
- Cape Moreton and Point Lookout offshore (about 32 km north)
Distances are between the middle of each area's spots.
Sources and checked dates
- Place names and positions: Queensland place names gazetteer, © State of Queensland (Department of Resources), CC BY 4.0
- Spot positions: Queensland topographic data (QTopo), © State of Queensland (Department of Resources), CC BY 4.0
- Artificial reefs: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Moreton Bay Marine Park series, CC BY 4.0
- Marine park zones: Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning, © State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2021, CC BY 4.0, simplified; guide only, not for navigation (zones checked 8 Oct 2026).
- Spot data checked 8 Oct 2026; area details checked 8 Oct 2026; bars checked 8 Oct 2026; marine rescue units checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Species seasons: our South East Queensland guide (Straddie & Jumpinpin), rules checked 8 Oct 2026. Tide places name the Maritime Safety Queensland predictions each spot uses (CC BY 4.0).
- Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.