Sport
30 October, 2025
Caution: barra season ending
THERE’S hardly a more iconic fish to target than the mighty barramundi. Barramundi fishing is one of the favourite pastimes in our region, and barras are some of the best underwater fighters you’ll find. On top of that, they’re very tasty, but like many sports and activities it is regulated to protect the species during times of spawning.
The barramundi season in Queensland has two distinct periods and it closes on 31 October 2025. If you’re fishing the Gulf of Carpentaria, it is already closed (7 October).
During this closed season in tidal waters, it is prohibited to deliberately target barramundi, even for catch-and-release fishing, because of the stress it can place on the fish during their breeding season. Any barramundi caught must be released immediately.
The closed season regulations do not apply to all fishing spots. You can fish for barramundi year-round in designated stocked freshwater dams and impoundments, provided you have a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP).
The Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) provides funding for stocking groups at over 60 impoundments in Queensland.
Impoundments are ‘put, grow and take’ fisheries where most stocked species will not reproduce. This means the impoundments need to be stocked regularly with fish. The impoundments are stocked with native fish specifically for recreational fishing. The scheme provides a sustainable fishing option that reduces the fishing pressure on wild fish stocks.
The money anglers pay for their Stocked Impoundment Permit goes towards maintaining and enhancing recreational fishing in stocked impoundments and management of the scheme.
Always check local rules before fishing.
Exempt waters include:
Awoonga
Ben Anderson Barrage
Fred Haigh (Lake Monduran)
Kinchant
Peter Faust
Teemburra
Tinaroo.
Barramundi season in Queensland:
Open Season: 1 February to 31 October
Closed Season:
East Coast: 1 November to 31 January.
Gulf of Carpentaria: 7 October to 31 January.
Legal Limits:
Minimum legal size: 58cm
Maximum legal size: 120cm
Possession limit: 5 per person
Boat limit: 10 per boat with two or more people.
To find where to buy an SIP permit or for more information visit: www.bit.ly/477hDH5
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