Part of Adelaide’s Torrens River wetlands was turned into a large tidal lake estate in the 1970s.

This waterbody, called West Lakes, was formed by diverting the lower Torrens River to sea at West Beach and “reclaiming” the remaining mangrove and reed marshland.

Work began in September 1970.

Delfin Island was opened in 1978.

A pipe carries sea water to West Lakes, and the lake also receives storm water.

The sea pipes are at the southern end, with a causeway into the Port River located at the north end.

We can only guess how important the Torrens wetlands were from an ecological point of view, but today West Lakes holds a variety of fish and is a great family fishing location.

Black bream are arguably the main species of interest, and there are stonkers to be caught. However, it can be hard to get past the small fish.

The biggest bream can be a challenge to tempt in the often clear and usually still waters.

Light line and live or fresh bait is essential, and fishing at night greatly improves the chances of catching a trophy fish.

Mullet, mulloway, salmon trout, zebra fish, sweep, flounder, flathead, garfish and squid are also in the system.

Small artificial reefs have been installed in West Lakes.

There are 12 such reefs on the inlet side of West Lakes.

The reefs were placed to increase fishing opportunities from Inlet Reserve, and would also hopefully increase fish stocks.

The largest reef unit is a fish tower 1.3m high by 0.7m by 1.6m wide.

Fishing is only permitted in West Lakes from man-powered dinghies/canoes or on foot.

You must fish at least 10m or more from residential properties and 20m away from any bridge.

West Lakes fishing spots

Bower Road Outlet has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn and salmon trout in winter, with mulloway during summer at night.

Dotterel Reserve has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn and mulloway in summer at night.

Settlers Drive has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn, with mullet in autumn and winter and mulloway in summer at night.

The Bouys has bream mostly in winter and spring and mulloway in summer and autumn.

Bartley Terrace stormwater drain has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn and mulloway in summer and autumn, best after rain.

Bartley Bridge has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn and salmon trout in autumn, winter and spring.

Heysen Reserve has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn and mulloway in summer and autumn at night, with mullet in autumn and winter.

Corcoran Reserve has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn with mullet in autumn and winter and mulloway in summer at night.

Fisher Place has bream mostly in spring and summer and mulloway and summer and autumn.

Tiranna Reserve has bream mostly in summer and mullet in autumn.

Deep Bend has mulloway in summer.

Sir John Marks Reserve has bream all year, salmon in winter and spring and mulloway all year.

Powell Court Road Bridge has has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn with salmon in winter and spring and mulloway all year.

Oarsman Reserve has bream in summer, with king george whiting in winter and spring, and salmon trout and mullet in autumn and winter.

Martin Court has bream mostly in spring, summer and autumn

Scullers Reserve has bream mostly in summer and autumn, mullet in autumn and winter and garfish in summer.

Trimmer Parade Inlet has bream and mulloway all year and salmon trout in autumn, winter and spring, with mullet in autumn and winter and king george whiting in winter and spring.

Other good landbased spots around Adelaide include the metro jetties at Brighton, Glenelg, Henley, Grange, Semaphore and Largs Bay.

There are fishable rock walls at North Haven.

The Port River estuary has many good fishing spots for a variety of species, and the Port River’s sea entrance, called Outer Harbour, has a long rock wall that is a landbased fisho’s best chance for big fish around Adelaide.

For a more detailed summary of Adelaide fishing opportunities, go here.

West Lakes tides
Full City of Charles Sturt West Lakes map PDF file
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks

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

Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.