Fishing on K'gari (Fraser Island), Queensland
Fishing on K'gari (Fraser Island) is one of the greatest pastimes for locals and travelers alike. Each year, thousands of keen anglers visit K'gari (Fraser Island) to experience one of the richest and most diverse fishing areas in Australia. With estuary, surf, deep sea, reef, and sportfishing available without the need for a license, fishing on K'gari (Fraser Island) is a year-round activity with a number of hotspots well-known to the angling community.
Fresh bait is also abundant on K'gari and anglers will often go out hunting for worms, yabbies, pipis, and small fish before casting for their main catch. Many swear by this fresh bait and claim it as the key to their angling success on the island, however, all fishermen are reminded that they must observe the Queensland size and bag limits and to fish for the future by only taking as much as they need for a feed.
Onshore Fishing on K'gari (Fraser Island)
Onshore fishing is most popular on the eastern side of K'gari where surf gutters harbour many popular species of fish. During the warmer months whiting, bream, dart and mackerel are plentiful in these gutters, and trevally, flathead, tuna, swallowtail, and even sharks can be caught all year round. The best times of day for fishing are dawn and dusk however when the conditions are right you are bound to catch plenty of fish at any time. Prized Queensland mud crabs can also be found in the mangrove areas around the island.
The tailor season from July to November is by far the most popular time for onshore fishing. During these months, dozens of keen anglers can be found setting up camp along 75 Mile Beach to catch the fish spawning in the waves.
Anglers are reminded that K'gari (Fraser Island) has "no fishing" zones in the areas of Indian Heads to Waddy Point from 1st of August to 30th of September annually. Please look for clear signage that is placed around the area during these times.
K'gari’s Best Onshore Fishing Spots:
- Middle Rocks, just north of Indian Head
- Sandy Cape, the most northern point on Fraser Island
- Waddy Point, on the north-east coast
- Indian Head, on the eastern (ocean) side
- South Moon Point, sandflats on the western side
- Wathumba Creek, Moon Creek and Coongul Creek, on the west coast
- Orchid Beach, just north of Waddy Point
Freshwater Fishing on K'gari (Fraser Island)
Freshwater fishing is strictly prohibited on K'gari (Fraser Island) to protect the fragile ecosystems within the many lakes and rivers which support a diverse range of fish. Lake Wabby, for example, contains twelve different species including the rare honey blue-eye. How so many fish species made it into the isolated dune lakes in the first place remains somewhat of a mystery. However, it is generally believed that the fish eggs arrived at the lakes on the feet of birds.
Offshore Fishing on K'gari (Fraser Island)
There is excellent offshore fishing around K'gari (Fraser Island) with both northern coral and southern reef species present in the waters. Many people choose to launch their boats in the calm water behind Waddy Point and Indian Head on K'gari or at Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach on the mainland.
Offshore species that are likely to be caught near K'gari (Fraser Island) include reef fish such as coral trout, red emperor and large groper, wahoo, trevally, whiting, bream, tailor (during the winter months), jewfish, mackerel (during the summer months) tarwhine and swallowtail among many others. If you are a fan of whiting, be sure to visit from July to March when the fishing is considered to be the best in all of Queensland.
For those without their own boat, sport, and game fishing charters that target species such as snapper, wahoo, red emperor, spanish mackerel, tuna, tusk, queen, and dolphin fish are also available from Hervey Bay.
Best Offshore Fishing Spots Around K'gari:
- The Great Sandy Strait
- The northern tip of Big Woody Island
- The channel ledges around Moon Point, and
- The Roy Rufus Artificial Reef
Fishing On K'gari (Fraser Island)
K'gari (Fraser Island) is an angler’s paradise all year round! So pack your rods, check the tides, find some fresh bait, and get casting! There are a few general stores scattered around the island where you can buy fishing gear if needed, and this is one of the best non-touristy things to do on K'gari as well.
