Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-3 Nos. 333-169973, 333-124746, 333-42520 and 333-89961 and Form S-8 Nos. 333-174260, 333-151296, 333-134161, 333-102758, 333-88846, 333-67578, 333-52700 and 333-65401) of PetroQuest Energy, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our reports dated March 2, 2012, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of PetroQuest Energy, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of PetroQuest Energy, Inc., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana

March 2, 2012