Fishing spots in central Moreton Bay and Tangalooma

14 places to fish in central Moreton Bay and on the west side of Moreton Island: 4 you can fish from land and 10 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 9 Oct 2026

Species seasons here follow our Northern Moreton Bay guide, which covers Deception Bay, Caboolture River, northern bay channels and beacons (Four Beacons, Pearl/Spitfire channels), Cockle Banks. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.

See this week's fishing forecast for Tangalooma: the app rates each day for shore, small-boat and kayak fishing, with the best time of day, wind, tide and what to target.

Spots at a glance

14 spots in central Moreton Bay and on the west side of Moreton Island
Spot	Type	Access	Sheltered in	Zone	Tide place
1. Tangalooma Point	Shore	Land-based and kayak	N, NE, E	Dark blue zone HPZ02	Tangalooma
2. Bulwer (beach and wrecks)	Shore	Land-based and kayak	NE, E, SE	Dark blue zone HPZ02	Bulwer Wrecks
3. Cowan Cowan Point	Shore	Land-based and kayak	NE, E, SE	Dark blue zone HPZ02	Bulwer Wrecks
4. Comboyuro Point	Shore	Land-based and kayak	E, SE, S	Dark blue zone HPZ02	Bulwer Wrecks
5. Middle Banks	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	East Channel
6. Four Fathom Bank	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	East Channel
7. Western Banks	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	East Channel
8. Ridge Shoal	Reef	Boat and kayak	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	East Channel
9. Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef	Reef · artificial reef	Boat and kayak	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	Rous Light
10. Jeays Reef	Reef	Boat and kayak	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	East Channel
11. Wild Banks Artificial Reef	Reef · artificial reef	Boat	Open water	Dark blue zone HPZ02	North West Channel Fairway South
12. North Moreton Artificial Reef	Reef · artificial reef	Boat	Open water	Dark blue zone HPZ02	North West Channel Fairway South
13. Spitfire Channel	Boat area · channel	Boat	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	North West Channel Fairway South
14. North West Channel	Boat area · channel	Boat	Open water	Light blue zone GUZ02	North West Channel Fairway South

1. Tangalooma Point

Go-slow area for turtles and dugong GSA02 Moreton Banks about 100 m away: no planing inside it.

Type: Shore
Access: Land-based and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Sheltered in N, NE and E winds; exposed to S, SW and W (faces WSW)
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 125 m out from here: there is no zone on the land itself.
Note: Beach and point south of the resort; whiting, dart, bream; squid off the jetty area. Access: Moreton Island (barge/boat).
Map: -27.19865, 153.36598 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Tangalooma (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

2. Bulwer (beach and wrecks)

Type: Shore
Access: Land-based and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Sheltered in NE, E and SE winds; exposed to SW, W and NW (faces W)
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.
Note: Bulwer on Moreton Island, with old barges just off the beach; bream, whiting and squid. Moreton Island: barge or boat, 4WD permit.
Map: -27.07898, 153.36747 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Bulwer Wrecks (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

3. Cowan Cowan Point

Go-slow area for turtles and dugong GSA01 Tangalooma about 40 m away: no planing inside it.

Type: Shore
Access: Land-based and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Sheltered in NE, E and SE winds; exposed to SW, W and NW (faces W)
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 50 m out from here: there is no zone on the land itself.
Note: Western point of Moreton Island; whiting, flathead and tailor on the drop-off. Access: Moreton Island (barge/boat, 4WD permit).
Map: -27.13578, 153.36243 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Bulwer Wrecks (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

4. Comboyuro Point

Type: Shore
Access: Land-based and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Sheltered in E, SE and S winds; exposed to W, NW and N (faces NW)
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 125 m out from here: there is no zone on the land itself.
Note: North-west tip of Moreton Island facing the northern channels; tailor, trevally, whiting. Access: Moreton Island (barge/boat, 4WD permit).
Map: -27.06174, 153.36490 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Bulwer Wrecks (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

5. Middle Banks

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Sand banks off Tangalooma; whiting, flathead; mac tuna and spotty mackerel nearby in season. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.20653, 153.32470 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: East Channel (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

6. Four Fathom Bank

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Mid-bay bank; whiting, flathead; pelagics on the edges. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.20472, 153.29361 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: East Channel (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

7. Western Banks

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Northern bay banks; whiting and flathead. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.14417, 153.23056 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: East Channel (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

8. Ridge Shoal

Type: Reef
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Shoal near Tangalooma; snapper, sweetlip and squire. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.21426, 153.34792 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: East Channel (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

9. Harry Atkinson 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 and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Central bay artificial reef; snapper, sweetlip, cobia, mackerel in season. Access: Boat only.
Map: Centre of the QPWS reef area: -27.40712, 153.30802 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Rous Light (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

10. Jeays Reef

Type: Reef
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Small reef north-east of Mud Island; snapper and sweetlip. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.31639, 153.24778 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: East Channel (MSQ local times, from Brisbane Bar)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

11. Wild Banks 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 Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls; our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 7.9 nm offshore
What's good here: Peak in October: Snapper and School mackerel (3 more in season).
Best tide: Change of tide for snapper; any tide for school mackerel
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
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.
Note: Northern bay artificial reef; snapper, sweetlip, mackerel. Access: Boat only; north of Bribie.
Map: Centre of the QPWS reef area: -26.90871, 153.29262 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: North West Channel Fairway South (MSQ local times, from Mooloolaba)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

12. North Moreton 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 Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls; our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 3.1 nm offshore
What's good here: Peak in October: Snapper and School mackerel (3 more in season).
Best tide: Change of tide for snapper; any tide for school mackerel
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
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.
Note: Artificial reef north-west of Moreton Island; snapper, sweetlip, pelagics. Access: Boat only.
Map: Centre of the QPWS reef area: -26.98441, 153.39768 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: North West Channel Fairway South (MSQ local times, from Mooloolaba)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

13. Spitfire Channel

Type: Boat area · channel
Access: Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls; our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 3.9 nm offshore
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Northern bay channel; tailor, mackerel and tuna in season. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.04639, 153.27389 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: North West Channel Fairway South (MSQ local times, from Mooloolaba)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

14. North West Channel

Type: Boat area · channel
Access: Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls; our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 3.6 nm offshore
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Snapper, School mackerel and Blue swimmer crab (8 more in season).
Best tide: Any tide for school mackerel and blue swimmer crab; run-out for dusky flathead; change of tide for snapper
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
Note: Shipping channel north of Bribie; pelagics on the channel edges (keep clear of ships). Green zone MNP03 Northern Wedge (~780 m) nearby. Access: Boat only.
Map: -26.96500, 153.22583 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: North West Channel Fairway South (MSQ local times, from Mooloolaba)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

Reefs and offshore marks

7 boat-only marks in central Moreton Bay and on the west side of Moreton Island: Ridge Shoal, Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef, Jeays Reef, Wild Banks Artificial Reef, North Moreton Artificial Reef, Spitfire Channel and North West Channel. Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef, Wild Banks Artificial Reef and North Moreton Artificial Reef are also on the artificial reef GPS marks page, with GPX and CSV downloads.

Reefs and marks in central Moreton Bay and on the west side of Moreton Island: positions (WGS84)
Mark	Position (decimal, DMS, DDM)	Launch from	Restrictions
Ridge Shoal	-27.21426, 153.3479227°12′51″S 153°20′53″E27°12.856′S 153°20.875′E	Boat or kayak	Light blue zone GUZ02
Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef	-27.40712, 153.3080227°24′26″S 153°18′29″E27°24.427′S 153°18.481′E	Boat or kayak	Light blue zone GUZ02; artificial reef: some activities need a permit
Jeays Reef	-27.31639, 153.2477827°18′59″S 153°14′52″E27°18.983′S 153°14.867′E	Boat or kayak	Light blue zone GUZ02
Wild Banks Artificial Reef	-26.90871, 153.2926226°54′31″S 153°17′33″E26°54.523′S 153°17.557′E	From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls	Dark blue zone HPZ02; artificial reef: some activities need a permit
North Moreton Artificial Reef	-26.98441, 153.3976826°59′04″S 153°23′52″E26°59.065′S 153°23.861′E	From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls	Dark blue zone HPZ02; artificial reef: some activities need a permit
Spitfire Channel	-27.04639, 153.2738927°02′47″S 153°16′26″E27°02.783′S 153°16.433′E	From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls	Light blue zone GUZ02
North West Channel	-26.96500, 153.2258326°57′54″S 153°13′33″E26°57.900′S 153°13.550′E	From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls	Light blue zone GUZ02

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 in central Moreton Bay and on the west side of Moreton Island in October: dusky flathead, snapper, school mackerel, blue swimmer crab and 2 more. Of the 18 species in our Northern Moreton Bay guide that these spots reach, 6 peak in October 2026 and 6 more are in season.

Dusky flatheadPeak · best Aug–Nov
SnapperPeak · best May–Jun and Sep–Oct
School mackerelPeak · best Apr–Jun and Oct–Nov
Blue swimmer crabPeak · best Oct–May

Also in season: Javelin / grunter, Summer whiting, Yellowfin bream, Mulloway, King threadfin, Tailor, Grass sweetlip and Mac tuna.

Out of season in October: Diver whiting (best May–Aug); Tiger squid (best May–Aug); Spotted mackerel (best Dec–Mar); Longtail tuna (best Feb–Apr); Banana prawns (best Feb–Apr); Spanish mackerel (best Apr–May and Dec–Jan).

Seen now and then here, so not rated: Estuary cod and Cobia.

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 14 spots on this page is in a green zone.

Size and bag limits: Queensland tidal size and possession limits (our species guides were checked 8 Oct 2026). Fishing rules for South East Queensland.

Marine rescue

Log on and off with QF3 Redcliffe (Coast Guard) (ask the unit for log-on details) and MRQ Bribie Island (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: Moreton Bay coastal 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

Bribie Island (about 18 km north-west)
Redcliffe Peninsula (about 24 km west)
Cape Moreton and Point Lookout offshore (about 28 km east)
Sandgate and Bramble Bay (about 31 km south-west)

Distances are between the middle of each area's spots.

Sources and checked dates

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 (Northern Moreton Bay), 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.