Esperance is known for clear water, white sand, and sometimes incredible beach-based salmon fishing.
The town has sheltered trailerboat launching facilities with good spots nearby, and an impressive new public jetty.
The beach fishing is awesome when big salmon are running. The fish bite all year, but are best around Sep/Oct and just before Easter as they migrate.
Otherwise, herring, skippy (trevally) and yelloweye mullet are the main surf catch, with occasional mulloway and tailor.
Boaters will find spotted whiting, squid, snook, gar, pink snapper, leatherjackets and herring.
Samson and kingfish are also caught.
A seaworthy trailerboat gives access to the Recherche Archipelago, keeping in mind this is the powerful Southern Ocean. Unexpected wave breaks over reefs occur.
Rock fishing is good at many locations, but dangerous.
Many rock fishing sites west of the town have anchor points installed, and lifejacket hire is available from Tackle World in Esperance.
Rock species include blue groper, kingfish, mulloway and wrasse.
Launching is easy at Bandy Creek Boat Harbour. The town ramp is good, but is exposed to easterly weather.
A 415m public jetty was opened in early 2021. This followed the demolition of the once-popular Tanker Jetty in 2019.
Just east of Esperance is Stockyards Beach, a great spot. The road follows the coast west of Esperance and gives access to good fishing at West Beach, Chapmans Point, Hughes Step, Salmon Beach, Fourth Beach and Nine Mile Beach.
East of Esperance is Cape Le Grand National Park, a large area with good rock and beach fishing.
Beach launching is possible in calm weather. Landbased spots in Cape Le Grand NP include Lucky Bay, Rossiter Bay, Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove.
A large marine sanctuary applies west of Esperance. See the government PDF map here.
Access and species caught east of Esperance
Wylie Bay, Rossiter to Stockyard Creek. Access by 4WD. Salmon, skippy, herring, sand whiting, flathead, gummy shark.
Cape le Grand, Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove, Lucky Bay and Rossiter: access by car. Salmon, skippy, herring, sand whiting, flathead, gummy shark, snook, gar, groper.
Dunns Rock and Victoria Harbour. Salmon, skippy, herring, sand whiting, flathead, gummy shark, shark.
Wharton Beach. Access by car, with 4WD beach areas. Salmon, skippy, herring, flathead, gummy shark. Rock species around headlands and yelloweye mullet in bays.
Duke of Orleans Bay. Access by car. Narrow strip of land leads to an island where most fishing is done. Herring, skippy, snook, gardie, flathead, sand whiting, groper and rock species.
Membinup. Salmon, skippy, herring, salmon trout, flathead, gummy shark. Rock fish are found around headland.
Alexander Bay. Mostly accessible by 4wd. Salmon, skippy, herring, small salmon, sand whiting, king george whiting, gummy shark and rock species.
Blackboy Creek and Tagon Harbour. Access to thomas river by car. To tagon by 4wd. Salmon, skippy, herring, small salmon, sand whiting, gummy shark and rock species.
Cape Arid. 4WD only. Salmon, skippy, herring, salmon, sand whiting, gummy shark and rock species.
Poison Creek. 4WD only. Salmon, skippy, herring, gummy shark, shark, tailor, wrasse, groper.
Point Malcolm to Israelite Bay. 4WD only. Salmon, skippy, herring, flathead, sand whiting, king george whiting, gummy shark, gare, mullet, mulloway and rock species.
Access and species caught west of Esperance
West Beach, Blue Haven, Salmon Beach, Fourth Beach, Observatory Point and Nine Mile. Access by car. Salmon, skippy, herring, salmon trout, sand whiting, yelloweye mullet, gummy shark, flathead and rock species.
Eleven Mile, Thirteen Mile and Plum Pudding. Access by car, except plum pudding which requires 4wd. Salmon, skippy, herring, salmon, tailor, gummy shark, rock species, flathead.
Warrinup. Access by car most of the year. Salmon, skippy, tailor, sand whiting, gummy shark, shark and rock species.
Young River. Access by 4WD through private property. Salmon, skippy, herring, salmon, sand whiting, gummy shark, shark, tailor. Estuary fishing for black bream and mullet.
Margaret Cove. Access by 4WD. Salmon, skippy, herring, salmon trout, gummy shark and rock species.
Munglinup. Open beach, bays and headlands. Access by car. Salmon, skippy, herring, sand whiting, tailor, gummy shark, flathead and rock species.
Esperance tides
Esperance coastline
WA fishing regulations
WA marine parks
Commonwealth marine parks – south-west region
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