Arno Bay’s big snapper historically attracted many Adelaide boaters to its waters, but there is good fishing for other species.

The offshore wrecks and reefs between 25km and 30km out are where the big snapper were fished, with mostly smaller fish on the shallower inshore reefs.

There is not a lot of reef in the waters around Arno Bay, so whatever you do find usually holds fish.

The inshore reefs and immediate surrounding areas produce flathead, squid, trevally, snook, red mullet and king george whiting.

The king george whiting are best in late autumn and winter.

Arno jetty is famous for its summer squid.

Some big snook are caught from the end of the jetty in autumn.

Yellowfin whiting are a popular target off the shallow beaches.

Summer and autumn are best for yellowfin whiting. Use beach worms or prawns for bait. Light tackle and distance casting is needed for these fish when the water is clear.

Mullet and salmon trout (small Australian salmon) are caught off the relatively low energy beaches around Arno in winter and spring, with school mulloway in spring and autumn.

For mulloway, fish a big late afternoon or early evening high tide and use only fresh or live bait.

Landbased fishos can try the rocky shores between Red Banks and Poverty Bay, with snapper historically caught off the rocks after rough weather.

Unfortunately the local prevailing wind is an onshore south-easter, so the seas along this coast are often choppy.

The chop can stir up the water, which can be helpful when chasing mulloway or snapper, but squid prefer clear water after calm weather.

If the boating forecast looks poor, sheltered Franklin Harbour at Cowell to the north is the best bet for some good fishing in this region.

Arno Bay coastline on Beachsafe
Arno Bay tides
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks

NOTE: Special snapper rules apply in South Australia – more info here.

Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.

Cowell township lies next to an almost fully enclosed bay called Franklin Harbour.

There is almost 50sqkm of sheltered waters to fish adjacent to Cowell, making this a popular boating holiday destination.

The bay’s shallower flats and beaches are home to vast numbers of quality yellowfin whiting, best in summer and autumn.

Fishing slightly deeper, king george whiting are abundant around the seagrass beds in winter and spring.

If the whiting caught are small, try moving until you find bigger fish.

Blue crabs, salmon trout, mullet, gar, snook, squid, flathead and flounder are a common catch.

Cowell is also renowned for big snapper (summer), large rays, and gummy sharks.

Franklin Harbour is best for blue crabs from October to April.

Snook are best in autumn, using small metal slugs or soft plastics.

The long jetty fishes well mainly for gar, tommy ruff and squid.

Boating facilities are good.

Marine sanctuaries apply in this area, note the map extract and more detailed map link above.

To the south, beachside camping and fishing can be had in the dunes around Gibbon Point, with good fishing when the persistent south-easterly wind is not blowing.

To the south, when the weather is suitable, Port Julia attracts a lot of fishermen.

South of Cowell, Arno Bay is a popular fishing spot.

Cowell coastline on Beachsafe
Cowell marine sanctuaries
Cowell tides
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks

NOTE: Special snapper rules apply in South Australia – more info here.

Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.