Fishing

Throw a line in while you sail the Whitsundays and try to catch dinner. Every Whitsunday Escape boat has rod holders, and you can hire rods, reels and tackle when you check in at Coral Sea Marina. Fishing is allowed at most of the islands, as long as you follow the Great Barrier Reef zoning rules.

Whitsundays fishing zones and maps

Much of the Whitsundays sits inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is divided into zones. The colour of the zone decides what you can do there.

• Marine National Park (green) zones: no fishing.
• Conservation Park (yellow) zones: limited fishing, with one hand-held line and one hook per person.

Download this app to access and understand zoning rules in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:

Eye on the Reef 

What fish can you catch in the Whitsundays?

Anglers in the Whitsundays commonly catch these fish.

• Coral trout: a reef fish found around bommies and fringing reefs.
• Spanish mackerel: usually caught from about May to October, by trolling.
• Mackerel tuna: common for much of the year.
• Giant trevally and queenfish: fast fighters, often caught around rocky points and sandy flats.
• Spangled emperor and grassy sweetlip: reef fish that make good eating.

Release protected species such as potato cod, Queensland groper and humphead Maori wrasse.

Where and how to fish

• Reef fishing: try the fringing reefs and bommies around the islands, outside the green zones.
• Estuary fishing: mangrove inlets on the mainland and on larger islands such as Whitsunday and Hook Island.
• Bait: prawns, squid, pilchards and garfish all work. Garfish on wire is a popular bait for mackerel.
• Tackle: use at least 25 kg line over coral, carry spares, and keep rigs light with few swivels and sinkers.

Fishing from your boat

A few habits will keep your charter, and the anchorages, in good shape.

• Keep lines clear of the propeller. Fishing line wrapped around a propeller is a major cause of engine failure. Bring in trolling lines well before you reach an anchorage, and always bring lines in before bed. The propeller can turn slowly in a current even when the boat is at anchor, so check for line before you start the motor. A minimum diver fee of $250 applies if line is found around the propeller.
• Don’t dump bait or fish scraps at anchor. Bait and carcasses thrown over the side attract sharks to the anchorage, where you and others swim and snorkel.

Fishing gear you can hire

Hire rods and reels, handline packs and tackle boxes, and collect them from our office when you check in at the marina. Order well in advance through. You can also bring your own gear.

Size and possession limits

Queensland sets minimum sizes and possession limits for each species. These are some of the most common reef and pelagic fish.

There is also a combined limit of 20 for all coral reef fin fish. Limits can change, so check the Queensland Government’s current rules before you fish.

Queensland Government size and possession limits

Fishing closures for spawning

Closures protect coral reef fin fish while they gather to spawn. Fishing for these species is not allowed during the closure periods, and hefty fines apply. Check the Queensland Department of Primary Industries website before you fish for any coral reef fin fish.

Fishing Closures

Spearfishing in the Whitsundays

Spearfishing, including with hand spears, is only allowed in a few limited areas of the Whitsundays, and visibility there is usually poor. It is not allowed in Marine National Park (green) or Conservation Park (yellow) zones. Most charterers leave the spear gun at home. See the map to check where it is permitted.

Spearfishing Map