Do you enjoy fishing? Welcome to ultimate fishing places in Perth! The city features clear waters and ample fishing spots. You could teach the children from Swan River fishing, battle game fish in Indian Ocean or simply relax along a quiet jetty. Making Perth an unparalleled fishing paradise! So grab your rod, pack up all your gear, and plan an amazing fishing journey today!
Top 10 Best Fishing Places in Perth
You want to go fishing for mullets and herring near the docks, or catch offshore giants like yellowfin and sharks. Don’t know where to begin fishing? No problem! Here are 10 best fishing spots in Perth WA, including inshore, offshore and even freshwater locations!
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach in Perth is one of its most beloved local spots and easily a short drive from Perth’s city center, making it one of the city’s favorite spots for local beach fishing enthusiasts. If you want the ideal fishing spot, arrive earlier than other fishermen, and preferably avoid arriving during strong afternoon winds. All year-round you can fish here thanks to Cottesloe Rock Groyne providing shelter to tailor, herring, whiting skipjack and garfish species. Cast your line and see what awaits!
- Best time to fish: Early morning and early afternoon
Yanchep Lagoon
Yanchep Lagoon, a half hour drive from Perth city center, is one of the best places to fish in Perth, Western Australia. Close to beaches frequented by both visitors and residents for family swimming and picnicking activities. You might need to walk further from the shoreline to find quieter fishing spots. It is surrounded by natural coral reefs teeming with tailor, herring, and whiting fish species. You could catch by casting from rocks at Yanchep Lagoon’s lagoon. It would also be wise to check weather reports before picking a day with less wind or wave conditions!
- Best time to fish: Early morning
Trigg Beach
Trigg Beach lies to the north of Perth. This picturesque beach is popular among locals, surfers and anglers! It’s one of the best fishing places in Perth. Only 20 minutes by driving along Sunset Coast from north west Perth lies one of the best fishing places in Perth. So if you go late, you will miss the best fishing spots, such as the rocks around Trigg Point. Trigg Point’s rocks or reefs provide suitable habitats for tailfish, salmon, herring, bass, cod as well as more fish. If you want more fish, go at high tide when fish have less chance of escapement!
- Best time to fish: Early morning and late evening
Two Rocks
Two Rocks is an extraordinary fishing spot about 60 kilometres north of Perth and attracts anglers who hope to capture big fish without needing a boat. It is ideal! Anglers come here in their droves from across Western Australia hoping for that once-in-a-lifetime catch, and Two Rocks provides just the venue they need! Just a 10-minute drive north from Yanchep Lagoon. Several beaches or coral reef spots allow direct fishing from either a jetty or a trestle. Fishers regularly come here in search of bigger gamefish like herring and tailor, even more silver trevallys, groupers or cod! Unlike its counterpart, Two Rocks stands alone to enable big game fishing without even needing a boat. Just fantastic! So you can have fun and make some memories!
- Best time to fish: Dawn and dusk
Mosman Bay
Mosman Bay on Perth’s Swan River provides stunning scenic fishing opportunities. Just east of Mosman Park and accessible via Johnson Parade, Giant, Mosman Bay has become one of Perth’s premier recreational spots and fishing enthusiasts will delight at fishing here! The bay’s mild, eastern-facing climate and refreshing afternoon sea breeze make it the ideal setting for fishing and outdoor adventure activities. The beach, marina and surrounding rocks serve as perfect hiding places for fishes that make great spots for anglers looking for new fishing spots. Fishing enthusiasts of any level can capture black bream, silver bream, flatfish, flounder and flathead. Once your target fish have been captured you can simply throw them straight on to a barbecue to be cooked at high heat, then feast upon your catch! Mosman Bay makes for the ideal location for both experienced anglers and casual enthusiasts looking for relaxation while fishing!
- Best time to fish: Early morning and evening
Woodman Point
Woodman Point at Cockburn Sound on Perth’s southern outskirts is an acclaimed fishing location. home to reefs where anglers can cast long distances as well as gentle sandy shallows and deep channels where fish congregate. With live sardines as bait, spring and summer fishing trips offer great success for pink snapper, while autumn offers excellent opportunities for squid fishing, especially at dawn and dusk! At times you might even catch one or more salmon during winter months! They gather along the north side of the beach, so it can be great fun trying your luck with metal lures on either. At this spot you can fish both from its breakwater as well as from its jetty. Woodman Point provides something fun for every member of your family to experience together fishing fun!
- Best time to fish: Early morning
Hillarys Boat Harbour
Hillary’s Boat Harbour is Perth’s premier coastal tourist attraction. Situated close to the Western Australian Aquarium on Perth’s stunning seaboard. Hillarys offers easy access for both inshore and deep offshore fishing. You could catch skippy, bream, tailor or King George whiting here! Don’t know where to begin fishing? No worries, just reach out and speak to one of our helpful local guides. They are more than willing to assist in finding you your ideal spot for fishing! Hillary’s Boat Harbour offers many stunning spots perfect for fishing. Boardwalk and breakwater areas are off limits, but we know you will enjoy exploring all other spots around it! Not to mention it offers vibrant waterfront restaurants, family-oriented attractions and stunning coastal views! We hope your experience at Hillarys Boat Harbour exceeds all your expectations!
- Best time to fish: Early morning, late evening, and night
North Mole & South Mole
North and South Mole are two excellent spots in Fremantle, just south of Perth, for fishing enthusiasts of any level! Both spots boast excellent shore fishing spots that cater for shore fishing as well as rock fishing enthusiasts alike. There’s sure to be one here that suits your preference and need.
North Mole can be found near the mouth of Swan River where its breakwater extends out into deep seawater creating deep water near shore. It attracts all sorts of fish from tailfish and herring through snapper (sometimes pink too!). The deep waters also attract bonito, blue mackerel as well as larger shark species (if lucky! ).
South Mole is a destination for fishing enthusiasts seeking some peace and serenity. Offering less crowding and greater tranquility than its neighbouring venues. Additionally, you have high chances of reeling in edible species like squid, tarwhine, herring or cod here. Cast your line for something tasty to come back!
North Mole and South Mole offer the ideal location for fishing excursions of any kind; be it relaxing fishing trips with your loved ones or hoping for the big catch. Trestle or pier fishing enthusiasts will love it here!
- Best time to fish: Evening or early morning
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island provides the ultimate fishing adventure near Perth! Renowned as the “fish magnet” Rottnest draws anglers searching for deep sea action. When summer rolls around, Leeuwin Current brings schools of pelagic fish. Creating an underwater fisherman’s utopia where anglers have the thrill of reeling in huge yellowtail kingfish, huge pink snapper or even bluefin tuna!
Imagine reeling one in! Drop anchor between 12-20 metres deep and cast a strong line, without using sinkers or weighted lines. Be amazed when fresh Western Australian flatfish start biting right off! For something gentler try casting off Radar Reef platform where tailfish, mackerels or salmon may come right back from shore! Rottnest Island offers world-class fishing for anglers of all levels, boasting more than 450 species in its waters and accessible with ease from every boat on Rottnest. Just remember to play by the rules, have fun fishing!
- Best time to fish: Dawn or dusk
Riverside Gardens
Bayswater Riverside Gardens offer the ideal destination for an enjoyable family day trip. It boasts spacious lawns, barbeque facilities, shaded playground equipment, and even dog beaches for maximum relaxation and unwind. And if you don’t catch anything, no worries! You can always have a barbecue and enjoy a meal.
And for parents looking to introduce their kids to fishing, the park’s small jetty provides the ideal spot. Here you may catch black bream, flathead, mulloway or yellowtail seabream! Plus if your little ones get bored casting their lines there’s always the fenced playground or coffee van nearby where they can relax with an indulgent beverage from.
Riverside Gardens provides everything necessary for an exciting family outing, so bring along your children and take advantage of a fun family outing together! Don’t hesitate to bring along those special people in your life who make life meaningful, such as grandparents! Enjoy quality time while visiting this impressive attraction.
- Best time to fish: Around noon
Perth’s Best Local Fish Species
Perth waters are full of life, from saltwater ocean currents to freshwater rivers. If you’re planning a visit, here are some species you might encounter when fishing in Perth, Australia.
- Dufie: Western Australia’s iconic deep-water prize, its white, flawless flesh is appetising. You’ll usually find them in offshore areas near Rottnest, and winter to early spring is the best time to catch them.
- Pink snapper: This thick and succulent fish has long been prized by both commercial and recreational fishermen alike, both commercially as well as recreationally. Since pink snapper often hides away in nearby coral reefs and rocky bottoms, summer is the best season for fishing this one out!
- Tailor: Winter surf champion known for their powerful pulling force and high-speed sprint. While fishing, your rod may form into a U-shape as soon as the Tailor emerges! For optimal Tailor fishing experiences use metal lures in surge areas before dawn or dusk for maximum success. These fish will experience being “spooled!”
- Squid: Squid is an all-year target for anglers, no matter your experience level or fishing location. Dawn is best for anglers looking for their first catch of squid. Wood shrimp + fluorescent tentacle combinations tend to work particularly well. You are almost assured to catch some!
- Black bream: Black bream fishers love fishing the Swan River during winter to catch black bream. These clever swimmers love hiding among structures or in deep waters for added challenge, which may make finding these black beauties tricky at times. But, if you happen to catch during high or low tide periods in January or February you might just catch yourself one.
How to Go Fishing in Perth: Tips and Tricks
With these fishing tips in Perth, we know you will catch more fish quickly!
Choose the Right Fishing Spot in Perth WA
If your goal is to catch fish of a particular species, it’s essential that you understand its natural environment and select an ideal location. Otherwise, your effort might end in futility! If tailor and salmon fishing are what you seek, Scarborough or Trigg’s beaches could prove fruitful. All it takes to get on target fish is using a surf rod with metal lure in its tidal zone.
Are You Seeking an Engaging Fishing Challenge? Cast live shrimp or soft baits into Swan River or Fremantle Harbour waters to catch black bream and flathead. Or for something extra challenging and serious anglers only: consider hiring a boat and heading deep waters where Pelagic species such as Dhufish and Pink Snapper lurk!
Understand the Fishing Seasons
Different fish are active at different times of the year, so it’s wise to stay up-to-date with current advice. Summer is peak squid season if you head down to the bay early enough. Meanwhile, winter months see Tailor and Herring activity peak! Perth boasts many incredible fish varieties from those active year-round such as Black Bream to those only appearing occasionally (Tailor/Herring etc). Spend some time researching your target fish so as to maximise your fishing success!
Get the Right Gear
Be sure to bring along all of the right gear! It will ensure a successful fishing trip. On beaches, 7-9 foot surf rods are ideal for targeting Tailor and Salmon while when fishing Swan River you may benefit from using 6-7-foot river spinning rods for increased control and maneuverability. Different fish prefer different baits, making it important to experiment and see which works best. Metal lures tend to work best with salmon and tailor while cod and squid prefer using live shrimp as bait. As for lines, when fishing offshore we suggest braids of 20-30lb for handling stronger fish. 6-10lb lines would work better in estuaries. We totally get it, fishing rods, baits and lines can feel like a lot to take on, but they’re all fishing essentials for beginners. Choosing the right gear will get you started easily fishing.
EcoFlow Portable Equipment for Perth Fishing
Anglers encounter many difficulties while fishing, including power cuts. Spending extended amounts of time outdoors requires reliable power supply for success. Ecoflow products, such as solar generator for fishing, will keep power cuts at bay on fishing excursions.
Portable Power Station
Imagine just landing that prized sea bream but finding that your battery ran out. Or worse still, a fish finder or GPS suddenly shutting off during a sailing trip? No matter you needs phone to check on weather conditions or camera to capture that perfect moment or small cooler to keep catch fresh, having anEcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station nearby gives peace of mind. No longer an issue thanks to its large capacity and multiple charging ports which quickly recharge electronic devices, plus its light weight and compact size make it convenient enough to bring along on any fishing adventure without fear!
Portable Solar Panel
Staying charged outdoors can sometimes prove challenging when engaging in off-grid outdoor activities like fishing and camping. However, the EcoFlow NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel comes into its own. Perth offers plenty of sunshine that’s ideal for solar energy production. Thus enabling it to charge your portable power station using this renewable source while remaining lightweight and foldable enough for remote beaches.
Power Hat
Sun protection is of utmost importance when fishing outdoors during the summer. The EcoFlow Power Hat offers innovative protection from the sun with its built-in solar panel. You can charge small electronic devices through dual USB A and C ports, perfect for smartphones, Bluetooth headphones or neck fans. It’s an effective power solution for short fishing trips when you don’t want to carry too much equipment.
Trolling Motor 12V Battery
When fishing at sea and trying to move your vessel discreetly and quietly without disturbing fish, having a trolling motor is indispensable. From bow or transom mountings, trolling motors provide quiet and precise movement without disturbing their habitats. For consistent and reliable operation, look no further than EcoFlow 12V battery. Its lightweight but powerful lithium technology charges faster and maintains stable voltage throughout the discharge process for full power operation, greatly improving fishing performance overall.
Conclusion
Perth offers sun-kissed rivers, peaceful lakes and abundant coastal attractions that create an incredible fishing experience for anglers of all kinds. From relaxing riverbank fishing sessions to adrenalin-pumping surf fishing adventures. Perth fishing spots provide something special. This article highlights 10 top fihsing places in Perth. Combine our fishing tips and suggested tackle, cast out your line, then wait patiently until the fish bite!
FAQs
Do I need a fishing license in Perth?
Fishing from shore in Perth doesn’t usually require a permit. However, for recreational fishing from powerboat or certain forms of fishing (lobstering, abalone harvesting, freshwater fisheries or using nets etc), one is often necessary.
What is the best time of year to fish in Perth?
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are ideal fishing seasons due to pleasant temperatures and active fish populations. Summer offers opportunities for big-eyed bream, silver bass and bream while its heat may cause others to move deeper waters. Autumn’s peak season for bream, red mullet and salmon fishing. Although winter brings harsher conditions than autumn does, large bream can still be found deep offshore waters as cuttlefish, herring, and winter sole. As water temperatures warm in spring, pink bream, yellowtail and greenling become active fish populations that become active fisheries of interest in abundance!
Can I fish from the shore or do I need a boat?
Yes, most of Perth is accessible for shore fishing! Popular destinations like Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Swan River offer excellent opportunities. However, be mindful that shore fishing access may be restricted at Mettam’s Pool and Yanchep Lagoon.
Can I fish at night in Perth?
Yes, night fishing in Perth is permitted without restrictions or general prohibitions on this activity. Night fishing can be highly productive as species such as mullet, trevally, snapper, squid and shark become more active at dusk than during daylight. Popular night fishing locations include Swan River, Canning River, South Mole River North Mole River as well as various beaches along its coastlines.