Queensland Size and Bag Limits

Species limits first

For Queensland, a licence answer is not enough. If you plan to keep fish, crabs or other catch, use the official tidal or freshwater size and possession limit table for the exact species and water type.

This page does not republish live legal limits. It helps you choose the right official table and avoid applying a tidal rule to freshwater, a freshwater rule to tidal water, or a SIPS permit answer to a species-limit question.

Choose the right official table

Trip type	Start with	Then check
Beach, estuary, bay, offshore or tidal river	Queensland tidal limits	Closures, protected species, gear and marine parks.
Freshwater river, lake or dam	Queensland freshwater limits	Closures, protected species, gear and local water rules.
Designated stocked impoundment	Freshwater limits plus SIPS if the angler is 18+ and line-fishing.	Current SIPS location list and permit proof.
Unsure whether the water is tidal or freshwater	Freshwater vs saltwater licence guide	Official state rule page before keeping fish.

Limit concepts

Limit concept	What it means for a trip	Why to verify live
Size limit	The fish must meet the current legal measurement before you keep it.	Measuring rules and species names matter.
Possession limit	The number you may have in possession, not simply a casual daily target.	Stored fish can count, so read the official wording.
General limit	Some unlisted species use a general possession limit.	Do not apply the general limit to a listed species.
Closed season	The fishery may be closed at a particular time.	Closed-season fish must be released.
No-take species	The species cannot be kept.	A legal catch method does not make a protected species legal to retain.

Common species lookup routes

Use this table as a route to the official source, not as a replacement for the source.

What you are checking	Likely official route	Watch for
Barramundi	Tidal or freshwater limits, depending on water.	Closed seasons and area differences.
Coral trout, reef fish or offshore species	Tidal limits and species guide.	Combined limits, boat limits and reef closures.
Mud crab or blue swimmer crab	Tidal limits and equipment rules.	Size, possession, sex restrictions and crab gear rules.
Australian bass or freshwater sportfish	Freshwater limits.	Closed seasons and stocked-water context.
Redclaw, yabbies or freshwater invertebrates	Freshwater limits and equipment rules.	Gear, possession and local water restrictions.
Sharks, rays or unfamiliar catch	Fish species guide and no-take guidance.	Protected or no-take status before retaining.

How to check a fish before keeping it

1. Decide whether the water is tidal, freshwater or a SIPS impoundment.
2. Search the official table for the exact species name.
3. Read size, possession, combined and boat limit notes together.
4. Check whether a closure applies to the species, water or date.
5. Check protected or no-take status if the species is unusual.
6. Check gear rules before using nets, pots, traps, crab gear or specialist methods.
7. For SIPS waters, keep the permit proof if the angler is 18 or over and line-fishing.

Official references

Official page	Check here for
Queensland tidal limits	Tidal size and possession limit lookup.
Queensland freshwater limits	Freshwater size and possession limit lookup.
Queensland closures	Closed seasons and waters.
Queensland fish species guide	Species routing and no-take checks.
Queensland SIPS permit	Stocked impoundment permit caveat.

Keep in mind

Queensland size and possession limits are water-type and species checks. Use the official tidal or freshwater table for current numbers, then check closures, no-take status, gear and SIPS where relevant.