Category Archives: Fishing Spots

Normanville fishing, South Australia

Normanville jetty and beach

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

Normanville, immediately south of South Australia’s Myponga and Carrickalinga, is known for its relatively low-energy beach.

Flathead, yelloweye mullet, salmon trout and sand whiting are the main catch, usually around high tide.

There is a small jetty that can be fished at high tide, and a tidal creek that is usually landlocked.

After heavy rain when the creek flows, the area around the mouth is worth a try for school mulloway.

School mulloway swim South Australia’s low-energy beaches just as they do the surf beaches, however the difficulty in catching them is that sharks and rays will usually find your bait before a mulloway does.

If you drop a cartopper or yak in off the beach the seagrass beds have king george whiting, squid, tommies, flathead, red mullet and gar.

Holiday cabins are located on the beach near the creek.

Here are some tips on chasing Normanville’s mullet.

To catch flathead, try walking beach while flicking a bait or lure.

Here is the SA seasonal fishing calendar for various fish species.

Normanville tides
Normanville on Beachsafe
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks
SA stocked dams
SA dam water levels
Murray River fishing spots

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Witton Bluff Base Trail rocks, South Australia

The sanctuary area immediately outside the jetty and Onkaparinga River mouth
The sanctuary area immediately outside the jetty and Onkaparinga River mouth
Some of the rocks along the walkway drop away into deep water
The southern section of the Witton Bluff Base Trail as seen from Port Noarlunga jetty

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

Port Noarlunga, south of Adelaide, is best known for its fishing jetty, but it also has landbased opportunities.

In 2025 the southern section of a raised coastal walkway called the Witton Bluff Base Trail was opened. This walkway runs north along the rocks from near the jetty.

At high tide some of the rocks along this walkway drop into deep water, a likely spot for chasing mulloway and more.

Nimble fishos could, with care, climb over the railing at several locations to access the rocks, but check the latest by-laws first, which are likely to evolve.

The walkway was still being built when we checked it out, and it remains to be seen if a gate will be built for fishermen to access the rocks.

Landbased fishos can also fish the mouth of the Onkaparinga River nearby.

Here’s a walkway website with a few pix … https://yoursay.onkaparinga.sa.gov.au/witton-buff-base-trail/boardwalk

Here is the SA seasonal fishing calendar for various fish species.

Onkaparinga River mouth tides
South Port (Onkaparinga mouth) on Beachsafe
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks
SA stocked dams
SA dam water levels
Murray River fishing spots

Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.

Perth fishing spots, Western Australia

Perth fishing is centred upon the bluewater, with the Swan River offering sheltered estuary fishing.

Perth anglers enjoy a mix of tropical and temperate fish species. The area hosts annual runs of blue swimmer crabs and prawns, with some regional dams and rivers stocked with trout.

Rottnest Island, located offshore, provides sheltered spots for both boaters and land-based anglers. Cockburn Sound, inside Garden Island, offers protected waters ideal for trailer-boaters.

South of Perth, Mandurah boasts three rivers feeding into Peel Inlet: the Serpentine to the north, the Murray to the east, and the Harvey to the south.

Bluewater fishing is heavily influenced by the Leeuwin Current, which warms coastal waters between 17°C and 25°C. Seasonal highlights include spanish mackerel, tailor, pink snapper, and silver trevally, along with gamefish such as tuna, dolphin fish, wahoo, kingfish, and marlin.

Heavy storms often bring inshore species like pink snapper to rock groynes. Herring, locally known as tommy ruffs in South Australia, along with silver trevally (“skippy”), salmon, and tailor, are abundant at various times of the year.

WA’s southern coastline, stretching from Perth to the South Australian border, primarily supports temperate species like mulloway, herring, and whiting, along with offshore species like samson fish and spotted whiting.

The deep channels on the east side of Garden Island are excellent for snapper and mulloway, particularly after dark. Squid and blue swimmer crabs are also prevalent in the seagrass beds and sandy areas.

Carnac Island, to the north of Garden Island, features a mix of seagrass habitats and rocky oceanfronts ideal for samson, dhufish, snapper, and squid.

How to fish Perth

Seasons

Garfish – best in winter.
Herring – abundant in summer. Use berley and small hooks.
Mackerel – appear after Christmas when offshore waters reach 22°C.
Pink snapper – available year-round but peak after winter storms. Be aware of Cockburn Sound restrictions.
Squid – found near Garden Island and lit jetties at night.
Crabs – best in summer and autumn.

Bait, Lures & Tackle

Livebait, including squid, is effective for mulloway and kingfish. Pilchards and herring fillets work well for snapper. Soft plastics and chrome slices are popular for trevally, salmon, and snook.

Weather & Tides

Perth’s tides are moderate. The “Fremantle Doctor” sea breeze is a distinctive feature, influencing fishing conditions.

Special Features

Perth’s blend of tropical and temperate species, alongside its scenic clear waters, makes it a unique fishing destination.

Perth tides
Perth stocked waters
Perth dam levels
WA fishing regulations
WA marine parks

Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.