Fishing Lake Kurwongbah (Sideling Creek Dam)
You need a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIPS permit) to fish with a line here if you are 18 or older. Under-18s don't need one. Buy it online, by phone (1300 575 359) or at Queensland Australia Post outlets before you fish.
You can fish from the bank at two parks (see Hot Spots) or from a paddle craft in the paddle zone. There is no swimming, and dogs are not allowed.
Mick Hanfling Park: Seqwater re-opened most of the park on 19 September 2026 after upgrade works. It says the park will close again later for final works, so check Seqwater's notices before you go.
Seqwater opens the lake and its recreation areas 7 days a week, 5:30am to 6:30pm (September to April) and 6:00am to 5:30pm (May to August).
Know the rules (Queensland freshwater limits, checked 21 Oct 2026): Australian bass: 30cm minimum, 5 per person (SIPS dams and weirs). Golden perch (yellowbelly): 30cm minimum, 10 per person. Saratoga: 50cm minimum, 1 per person. Mary River cod: 60cm minimum, 1 per person. This lake is one of the listed exceptions to the state-wide no-take rule. The Australian bass closed season (1 June to 31 August) is for tidal waters only, so it does not apply in this lake.
Closed water: No fishing from 100m upstream to 200m downstream of the Sideling Creek dam.
Emergency: 000. SES: 132 500.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Seqwater allows shore fishing along the designated recreation areas at Mick Hanfling Park (Torrens Road, Petrie) and Kurwongbah Park (Dayboro Road, Petrie). Much of the land around the lake is private property. Don't fish or launch from private land. Stick to the signed recreation areas.
- Take all your line and hooks home or put them in a bin.
Offshore
- Paddle craft: Public paddling is allowed 7 days a week in the designated paddle zone. Launch only from the two paddle-craft launch points at Mick Hanfling Park, off Torrens Road. Electric motors on paddle craft are allowed. Petrol motors are not. You may fish from a paddle craft in the paddle-craft zone.
- Rowing course: The rowing course is in the eastern to south-eastern part of the lake. Seqwater's map marks it 'no stopping or fishing'. Give way to rowers at all times. They travel backwards and can't see you.
- Water skiing: Only for members and guests of the Lake Kurwongbah Water Ski Zone and Waterski Queensland, in the ski area.
- Safety: Seqwater says wear a lifejacket at all times on this lake. Emergency: 000. SES: 132 500.
Hot Spots
- Mick Hanfling Park (Torrens Road, Petrie): Shoreline fishing area, picnic tables, shelters and free BBQs. Both paddle-craft launch points are here.
- Kurwongbah Park (Dayboro Road, Petrie): Shoreline fishing area. A quiet spot to sit and watch the water.
Emergency & Safety
- SES (State Emergency Service): 132 500 | Emergency: 000
