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

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Breakfast Creek is an easily accessible land-based spot that can produce jewfish, cod, sharks, snapper, and threadfin salmon.

The prime fishing spot is at the mouth, where this large tidal creek joins the Brisbane River near Newstead House.

There is deep water within casting range and rocky structure to target.

Nearby lights attract baitfish at night.

Using live bait, you can expect big jewfish and threadfin salmon.

This area can be fished on both sides of the creek, but the southern side around Newstead House has the best fishing points.

Bream, cod, mangrove jacks, and squire snapper can be caught with dead baits.

Catfish and bull sharks can sometimes be a nuisance.

For larger fish, mullet, herring, and prawns make ideal live baits, along with puttynose perch.

When the tide slows, fish live baits without weight or with a float.

Choose evening high tides when boat traffic is low, especially during the week.

Using surf rods helps keep your line out of the rocks here, but smaller rods will also work.

And if you don’t get lucky with a catch, the Breakfast Creek Hotel located on the northern bank is famous for its steaks.

Brisbane River tide times at Breakfast Creek
QLD fishing regulations
QLD marine parks
Return to QLD fishing map

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Lake Awoonga is a particularly exciting stocked impoundment, having produced barramundi to 30kg+, and some giant mangrove jacks.

Awoonga offers perhaps the best chance of catching an impoundment jack in Queensland.

An 80cm jack was caught by one lucky angler, although these fish are incredibly elusive and targeted by very few.

A massive 36.5kg barramundi was landed in 2008, and many barramundi over 20kg are caught annually.

The dam has been stocked with multiple species, primarily barramundi, redclaw crayfish, and fork-tailed catfish.

By 2006, 2.9 million fish had been released, including 2.4 million barramundi, 470,000 sea mullet, and 15,000 mangrove jacks.

By 2013, the stocking numbers had grown even further:

Around 300,000 fingerlings are released each year by the Gladstone Area Water Board Fish Hatchery, mainly barramundi, mangrove jacks, and mullet.

As with most dams, redclaw populations fluctuate.

Accommodation is available at Lake Awoonga Caravan Park.

There is a recreation area at the lake featuring toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, a kiosk, playground, lookout, walking tracks, and a restaurant.

No boating restrictions apply at Awoonga, except for a no-go zone in front of the dam wall.

How to Fish Lake Awoonga

Awoonga is a large water body and can get rough, especially with the afternoon sea breeze.

With the large fish in Awoonga, 15kg to 25kg braided lines and 40kg fluorocarbon leaders are typical.

Lures need quality split rings and 4X/6X hooks.

Like most stocked dams in Queensland, Awoonga produces the occasional barramundi in cooler weather, though warmer conditions are better.

Generally, fish deeper during midday, but shallow areas may yield barramundi warming in the sun.

Focus on casting to timber and weedbeds in the mornings and afternoons.

Bony bream bait balls in summer often keep barramundi out in the open lake.

Awoonga mangrove jacks are elusive, having excellent eyesight and a wary nature.

The lake occasionally suffers from low water levels, and it sometimes overflows, allowing barramundi to escape over the dam wall into the Boyne River.

In 2010, an estimated 25,000 large barramundi went over the wall, significantly boosting fishing in the Boyne River, though some fish showed signs of stress due to the sudden population increase.

However, regular restocking and the barramundi’s rapid growth rate soon restore fishing after spillway floods.

The Gladstone Area Water Board offers a Track My Fish Lake Awoonga App that collects data on fish numbers, sizes, and health. Fishers are encouraged to use the app, with prizes available. More info is here.

A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish at Awoonga, available at the campsite office.

QLD dam water levels
Qld stocked dam permits
QLD fishing regulations
Return to QLD fishing map

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