If you're planning on going fishing in Queensland, it's important to know the legal fish size limits. Queensland has strict regulations in place to protect the state's marine resources, including size limits for various species of fish. In this article, we'll provide you with all the information you need to know about legal fish size in QLD.
What are the legal fish size limits in QLD?
The legal fish size limits in QLD vary depending on the species of fish. It's important to note that these size limits are in place to ensure that fish have a chance to breed and replenish their populations, which helps to maintain healthy fish stocks in the state's waters.
Some of the most common fish species in QLD and their legal size limits include:
- Barramundi - 58cm minimum size
- Bream - 25cm minimum size
- Flathead - 40cm minimum size
- Whiting - 23cm minimum size
- Mackerel - 50cm minimum size
It's important to check the size limits for any species of fish you plan on catching before you head out on your fishing trip. You can find a full list of size limits on the Queensland Government website.
Why are there legal fish size limits in QLD?
The legal fish size limits in QLD are in place to help protect the state's marine resources. By only allowing fish above a certain size to be caught, it gives them a chance to breed and replenish their populations. This helps to maintain healthy fish stocks in the state's waters and ensures that future generations can enjoy fishing in QLD as well.
What happens if you catch a fish that's below the legal size limit?
If you catch a fish that's below the legal size limit, you must release it back into the water immediately. Keeping undersized fish is illegal and can result in fines and penalties. It's important to measure any fish you catch and release any undersized fish back into the water as quickly and gently as possible to ensure their survival.
How to measure fish for legal size in QLD
When measuring fish for legal size in QLD, it's important to measure from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. This measurement is known as the total length. Some species of fish also have different size limits depending on whether they're measured from the fork of the tail or the end of the tail, so it's important to check the regulations for each species.
It's also important to note that some species of fish have minimum and maximum size limits. This means that fish that are too large or too small must be released back into the water. It's important to check the regulations for each species to ensure that you're complying with the law.
Other fishing regulations in QLD
In addition to legal fish size limits, there are other fishing regulations in place in QLD that anglers must comply with. Some of these regulations include:
- Bag limits - the maximum number of fish that can be caught and kept per person per day
- Closed seasons - times of the year when certain species of fish cannot be caught
- Protected species - certain species of fish that cannot be caught or must be released immediately if caught
- Bait restrictions - restrictions on the types of bait that can be used to catch certain species of fish
It's important to check the regulations for each species of fish and any other fishing regulations before heading out on your trip to ensure that you're complying with the law.
Conclusion
Knowing the legal fish size limits in QLD is important for any angler planning on fishing in the state's waters. By complying with these regulations, you can help to protect the state's marine resources and ensure that future generations can enjoy fishing in QLD as well. Remember to measure any fish you catch and release any undersized fish back into the water as quickly and gently as possible to ensure their survival.
