Fishing Flinders Reef (Moreton Bay Marine Park)
The rules here are strict, so read them before you go. No fishing within 500m of the reef centre. That centre is the official zone point 26°58.715' S, 153°29.150' E. The 500m circle is a green zone (MNP04) and also a no-anchoring area (NAA01). Between 500m and 2km from the same point is a yellow zone (CPZ03). You can fish there, but only with limited line fishing: no more than 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person. Trolling has the same limit: 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per person. Outside 2km, other marine park zones apply, so check the Qld Marine Parks app or the QPWS zoning map.
Moreton Island Fishing Charters says it targets snapper, pearl perch, sweetlip, parrot, wrasse, cod, kingfish, jew and cobia on its offshore trips. That list is for all its offshore grounds, not Flinders Reef alone.
Know the rules (Queensland tidal waters, checked 20 Oct 2026): Snapper 35cm minimum, 4 per person with only 1 over 70cm, or 8 per boat with 2 or more people on board (only 2 over 70cm). Pearl perch 38cm minimum, 4. Snapper and pearl perch are closed 15 July to 15 August every year on the east coast. Tuskfish (all species) 30cm minimum, 6 combined. Amberjack and samsonfish 50cm minimum, 2 combined. Yellowtail kingfish 60cm minimum, 2. Teraglin 38cm minimum, 5. Cobia 75cm minimum, 2. Mulloway 75cm minimum, 2, and keep them whole on the boat. Coral trout 38cm minimum, 7 combined for all trout. Sweetlips 25cm minimum, 5 per species. The October and November coral reef fin fish closures do not apply here. They only cover waters north of latitude 24°50' S.
Charters that fish here: Moreton Island Fishing Charters.
Emergency: 000. On the water: VHF Channel 16.
Landbased
- Boat only: Flinders Reef is in the open ocean and can only be reached by boat. For land-based fishing, see our Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Island pages.
Offshore
- Before you go: Flinders Reef is open ocean. Check the weather and log on with your marine rescue group. Emergency: 000. On the water: VHF Channel 16.
- Bars: If you leave from Mooloolaba or come out through the Caloundra or South Passage bars, these are designated coastal bars. Everyone on an open boat, or in an open area of any boat, must wear a lifejacket while crossing.
- Zone limits in the yellow zone: No more than 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person. Trolling: no more than 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per person.
- Reef fish limits: Snapper 35cm minimum, 4 per person with only 1 over 70cm, or 8 per boat with 2 or more people on board (only 2 over 70cm). Pearl perch 38cm minimum, 4. Snapper and pearl perch are closed 15 July to 15 August every year on the east coast. Tuskfish (all species) 30cm minimum, 6 combined. Amberjack and samsonfish 50cm minimum, 2 combined. Yellowtail kingfish 60cm minimum, 2. Teraglin 38cm minimum, 5. Cobia 75cm minimum, 2. Mulloway 75cm minimum, 2, and keep them whole on the boat. Coral trout 38cm minimum, 7 combined for all trout. Sweetlips 25cm minimum, 5 per species.
- Marine rescue: Coast Guard Redcliffe QF3 is at 2 Thurecht Parade, Scarborough. Phone (07) 3203 5522.
Hot Spots
- Green zone MNP04 (no fishing): The water within 500m of 26°58.715' S, 153°29.150' E. No line fishing, trolling, crabbing or spearfishing. Stow your gear if you pass through.
- No-anchoring area NAA01: The same 500m circle. You must not anchor there.
- Yellow zone CPZ03 (limited fishing): From 500m out to 2km from the same point. Limited line fishing and limited trolling only: 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per person.
- Beyond 2km: Still inside the Moreton Bay Marine Park, whose outer edge here is 3 nautical miles from the reef. Other zones apply, so check which zone you are in before you fish.
Boat Ramps
- Scarborough Boat Harbour Ramp:
Located at the end of Thurecht Parade in Scarborough, this major four-lane concrete ramp is highly protected inside the marina and features a central floating walkway and adjacent concrete pontoon.
- Coast Guard Boat Ramp Scarborough:
Situated next to the Redcliffe Coast Guard headquarters off Bird Opassage Parade in Scarborough, this excellent four-lane concrete ramp features a wide central pontoon and temporary mooring.
- Queens Beach Boat Ramp:
Located on Flinders Parade opposite Griffith Road in Scarborough, this dual-lane concrete ramp offers reliable access to Moreton Bay with a fish cleaning station and adequate lighting.
- Manly Boat Harbour Boat Ramp:
Located at Fairhead Crescent in Manly Boat Harbour, this premium four-lane concrete ramp offers an all-tide sheltered launching site maintained through regular dredging. It is a protected safe haven with no severe weather exposure, featuring a central boarding pontoon and secure trailer parking adjacent to the coast guard, though it operates near peak capacity and can overwhelm public parking.
Bait and Tackle
- Hornibrook Bait & Tackle: 146 Hornibrook Esplanade, Clontarf QLD 4019 | Phone: 0483 846 966
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Redcliffe QF3: 2 Thurecht Pde, Scarborough QLD 4020 | Phone: (07) 3203 5522 | Emergency: VHF 16 or 000
