NEW Fishing Regulations in WA
Stocks of some of
Western Australia’s most prized demersal (bottom-dwelling) scalefish like dhufish and pink snapper are known to be at critically low levels in the West Coast Bioregion (
Kalbarri to Augusta). To help demersal scalefish stocks recover and be sustainable for the future, a total ban on the take of ‘high risk’ demersal fish by recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion applies from 15 October to 15 December, inclusive. A list of the high risk demersal species to which the two-month ban applies in the West Coast Bioregion is contained in the table in the
Modified Recreational Fishing Rules at a Glance PDF.
For further information, please visit:
www.fishforthefuture.com.au or contact
the Department of Fisheries on 1800 726 586.
(Note: Commercial fishers are under separate arrangements to reduce their catch of these species). Please act responsibly and do your bit to ensure we all have fish for the future.
Key dates for the West Coast Bioregion fishery
15 October
- Start of the two-month seasonal closure (for boat and shore fishing) on
the take of ‘high risk’ demersal species such as dhufish and pink snapper by recreational fishers;
- Change to the combined bag limit for ‘medium risk’ fish – including tailor, silver trevally (skippy) and King George whiting – from 16 to 12;
and
- Change to the combined bag limit for ‘lowest risk’ species – including herring, sand whiting and garfish – from 40 to 30.
16 December
From 16 December, new bag and boat limits will come into place for ‘high risk’ species. These measures include:
- The high risk category split into demersal scalefish and pelagic species;
- A mixed bag limit of 2 high risk demersal scalefish, of which only 1 (one) may be a dhufish (see table for details);
- A mixed bag limit of 2 pelagic species;
- A boat limit of 2 dhufish (6 dhufish on charter vessels);
- Removal of the existing boat limits for high risk species;
- A requirement to carry a release weight when fishing from a boat for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion;
- Removal of the maximum size for grey banded rock cod;
- New pink snapper size limit of 50 cm applies south of Lancelin; and
- Some high risk species moved to the medium risk category.
The seasonal closure (15 October to 15 December) will apply to the species contained in the table in the
Modified Recreational Fishing Rules at a Glance PDF. When the fishery reopens on 16 December the new bag limits listed in the table will apply.
Shark Bay
Shark Bay covers an area of more than 23,000 square kilometres and is situated on the most western coast of the Australian continent. Shark Bay is actually two bays, formed by peninsulas lying side by side and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1991.
Shark Bay has many protected areas and conservation reserves, including Shark Bay Marine Park,
Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve,
Francois Peron National Park, Zuytdorp Nature Reserve and numerous protected islands.
Fishing Spots
Shark Bay is considered a melting pot of west coast fisheries where tropical and temperate waters meet.
Steep Point is no doubt the most famous land-based
fishing spot in
Australia. This spot attracts a large array of pelagic fish like Spanish mackerel,
samson fish, yellowfin tuna and shark. Popular smaller catches at the point include snapper, flathead,
mulloway and
tailor to name a few. Another popular point is Zuytdorp Point where fish such as snapper, tuna, mackerel and sailfish can be caught from the cliffs. For those that want a calmer
fishing environment, dropping a line from the
Denham town jetty is a popular activity for catching squid.
Tips
There are three common techniques for
fishing the cliffs and they include: baitcasting lightly weighted baits, such as
garfish and pilchards; ballooning with big baits; or using lures. Each can be effective on the right occasion, although there is one constant - your gear needs to be powerful enough to handle big fish and you need a system to haul the heavy captures up a cliff face. Like any cliff or point
fishing - safety is paramount and local knowledge and
weather conditions should be sought prior. Authorities are also calling for anglers to wear inflatable life jackets that can be inflated by pulling a string.
Rottnest
Rottnest Island is only 19kms off the coast of
Fremantle and is a very popular tourist destination. The island is approximately 11kms long and 4.5kms at its widest point, and is known for its tranquil and pristine beaches and bays.
Fishing Spots
Rottnest provides a number of locations to fish whether you wish to cast from the rocks, the beach or jetty.
Fish species such as:
tailor, silver bream, gardies, skippy and herring can be hooked from Natural jetty on the Thompson Bay side.
Bathurst Point near the Light House as well as Geordie Bay is a favourite for herring. Little Armstrong Bay yields good catches of king george whiting, while Salmon Bay as its name implies can yield good catches of salmon when it’s in season.
Tips
Fishing on
Rottnest Island is best done from the months of March through to the end of September. Light tackle is usually all that’s needed and long rods are not required as most of the top spots are within minimal casting distance.
Kalbarri
Kalbarri is a coastal town, about 660kms north of
Perth and is renowned for its spectacular gorges and coastal scenery created by the mighty
Murchison River.
Fishing Spots
There are a number of good spots such as Chinaman’s Rock which is better known for reef
fishing where
tailor,
mulloway, mackerel, cod and general reef fish can be caught. Also near the mouth of the
Murchison, nice-sized
tailor can be landed at Black Rock and Oyster Reef. Some of these
fishing spots can be dangerous under rough
weather conditions so check conditions and seek local advice prior to venturing on the rocks.
Higher up the
Murchison River reveals big
black bream and mangrove jacks and also mud and blue crabs. The extensive Wagoe Reef, just south of
Kalbarri, provides a long
fishing platform for shore-based anglers. Surf
fishing for mackerel,
tailor, mullaway and cod is possible at Wittecarra Creek and
Red Bluff beach which is located south of the
Kalbarri township.
Tips
Mackerel can be sought between January and April using baited
garfish or a trolling lure. Ballooning can also work well when an easterly is blowing. Tactics include baitcasting using mulies or
garfish and bottom
fishing for large skippy, tarwhine, pink snapper, sharks,
mulloway,
tailor, spanish mackerel and tuna.
Walpole
Walpole is famous for its old growth forests and the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk which is in the Walpole-Nornalop National Park. The Walpole River feeds into Walpole Inlet which in turn flows into the larger, Nornalup Inlet before flowing through the mouth and into the Southern Ocean.
Fishing Spots
Species found in the inlets and estuaries include
black bream, king george and sand whiting, herring, tarwhine, flathead and flounder. There are excellent
fishing spots around the shallow waters of the Walpole Inlet from both the town jetty and Swan Bay jetty. The Deep River which is said to be the most pristine river in
Australia, feeds directly into the Nornalup Inlet.
Fishing in the deeper waters can yield catches of pink snapper and yellowfin whiting. There are also good
beach fishing spots from Nornalup and Mandalay beaches where you may hook skippy, tarwhine,
tailor, king george whiting,
mulloway and salmon.
Tips
For
fishing in the inlets/estuaries, a light rod and reel is all that’s needed. Try using a No. 6 hook with prawns and a dollop of berley. Trolling lures can also be successfully used for
tailor in the deeper waters.
WA Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Western Australia.
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Fishing
Our Fishing index page includes Favourite Catches, tips for River & Estuary Fishing, Beach Fishing and Offshore fishing, as well as Fishing Rules and Regulations for every state of Australia. Next time you're off on a trip with the rods and reels, check out this page for the latest tips & information.
Fishing Spots in QLD
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Offshore Fishing
Ever wondered why some offshore boat anglers catch more quality fish than others? The main key to success lies with knowledge, experience, and of course - plenty of practice!! Like anything, developing good knowledge and habits earlier on - makes better practice. This article will give you a brief heads up on offshore fishing techniques - including rigs, technology and much more.
NSW Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in New South Wales.
VIC Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Victoria.
QLD Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Queensland.
SA Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in South Australia.
NT Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in the Northern Territory.
TAS Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Tasmania.
Fishing Spots in SA
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in South Australia and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in NT
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in the Northern Territory and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in TAS
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in Tasmania and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in NSW & ACT
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in New South Wales (including ACT) and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in VIC
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in Victoria and provides some helpful tips.
Inland Fishing
Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent with 70% receiving between 100 and 350mm of rainfall annually. So with such little rainfall, you may wonder whether Australia has a good freshwater fishery. This article explores Australia's inland fishing possibilities and includes a general overview of what to catch, where and how.
Beach Fishing
Put on your wet weather overalls, berley up the water and cast a 70 plus metre line to get past the breakers - this is the typical lifestyle of the dedicated beach angler. With around 7000 beaches to choose from, Australia offers plenty of opportunities to target coastal fish such as tailor, salmon and mulloway.
