Sunshine Coast Fishing Report

FIELD GUIDE & MASTERCLASS

2026 Recreational Fishing Survey

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Sunshine Coast fishing report: 14 to 21 October 2026

14 to 21 October 2026

Short version: A quieter week, but there are still good fish about. Flathead, bream and whiting are steady in the rivers, the first mangrove jacks are showing up, and a metre-long barramundi came out of the canals.

Noosa: Quality flathead are in the lower Noosa River, with the better fish in the deeper channels and drop-offs. Bream and whiting are steady through the system on both bait and lures, and some big bream have been reported. Small jewfish are being caught around the ski run areas on soft plastic frog-style lures. A few tailor came to land-based fishos at Noosaville, and a 49 cm grunter was caught in Noosa.

Maroochy River: Bream and flathead are around the mouths of Eudlo Creek and Petrie Creek. Flathead are also around Bli Bli, and quality whiting keep coming from around Chambers Island.

Mooloolah River and canals: Bream are around La Balsa Park, with the odd trevally near the trawler area. Mangrove jacks are turning up in the Kawana canals as the water warms. A 54 cm jack took a live herring fished just under the surface this week. Live worms have been working well in the estuaries.

Barramundi: A 101 cm barramundi of about 15 kg came from the Sunshine Coast canals on light 8 lb line. It took about 25 minutes to land. Barra season closes on 1 November, so there is not long left to chase one.

Pumicestone Passage: Wind and rain cut down trips, but whiting and flathead are still about in the passage. Mud crabs are being found in the local creeks and canals. Parts of the passage are green zones where you can't fish, including Westaways Creek and the Tripcony Bight to Long Island area. Check the map before you go.

Offshore: The weather kept most boats in. Before the wind, North Reef gave up a mix of snapper and sweetlip, and Sunshine Reef had good pearl perch.

Weekend weather: North-easterly winds of 15 to 20 knots on Thursday and Friday, with seas of 1 to 1.5 metres and a high chance of rain. The weekend looks showery, with a 90 per cent chance of rain on both days around Maroochydore and highs of 25 to 26.

Rules check

Barramundi season closes in Queensland east coast waters from 1 November to 31 January. (official source)
Barramundi must be between 58 cm and 120 cm. You can keep 5. (official source)
Mangrove jack must be 35 cm or more. You can keep 5. (official source)
Dusky flathead must be between 40 cm and 75 cm. You can keep 5. (official source)
Sand whiting must be 23 cm or more, with a combined limit of 30 sand, goldenline and northern whiting. (official source)

Check before you keep: Can I Keep It?

Rules checked against qld.gov.au and DPI Queensland on 21 Oct 2026.