4 incredible fishing experiences in WA’s South-West

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, a fishing adventure awaits on your next South-West holiday.

Cast a line from the beach, take an offshore boat trip or meander along the South-West’s tranquil riverways — there’s a fishing experience to get everyone hooked.

Here’s where to go and what to expect if you want to have a fun and successful time fishing in the region.

Mandurah and Peel

Home to the annual Mandurah Crab Fest, the region’s estuaries are a hotspot for blue swimmer crabs from late January to April. For first-timers, all you need is a simple metal basket and broom handle, or make a splash and snorkel dive for your catch.

The Murray and Serpentine rivers are also great for catching river prawns in early summer and king prawns in autumn, while the Mandurah Estuary and Peel Inlet offer easy fishing for herring, sand whiting, bream, cobbler, taylor and garfish.

Crabbing in Mandurah.

If an offshore fishing adventure is more your pace, Port Bouvard Charters cater for full- and half-day expeditions, including a “catch and keep” crayfish tour. Departing from the Port Bouvard Marina, you can spend the day on the Indian Ocean chasing West Australian dhufish, breaksea cod, pink and red snapper, queen snapper or fox fish with a Catch of the Day award up for grabs!

Margaret River

First stop, the calm waters of Geographe Bay, where you can try your luck fishing for blue swimmer crabs, herring or whiting. A boat isn’t necessary, just cast a line from the beach or take in your picturesque surroundings from a kayak or small dinghy.

For something different, you may like to try night fishing at the historic Busselton Jetty. Join a flurry of anglers each night in search of bonito, mulloway and samson.

Or for a unique experience, Cape Cultural Tours runs a Djiljit Coastal Fishing Experience between February and May. Guided by Wadandi Cultural Custodian Josh Whiteland, you’ll explore Meelup Regional Park as you fish, discover and forage while learning how the Wadandi people fished using the phases of the moon.

Cape Cultural Tours, Geographe Bay.

Josh said guests are treated to a gourmet barbecue lunch, complemented by local beer and wines.

“The focus is not on the catch, but the experience, learning about the environment, how to fish sustainably and eat sustainably to the traditional six seasons,” he said.

For other options, Legend Charters offers deep sea fishing tours for anglers keen to snag a dhufish or pink snapper. For a more leisurely day out you may like to hire a dinghy from Augusta Boat and Canoe Hire and head out on the Blackwood River in search of black bream.

Denmark & Walpole

A day out on the water is perhaps the best way to take in the pristine beauty of Wilson’s Inlet in Denmark. With the inlet’s surface area of 48 sq km, a guided tour is recommended. Madfish Charters caters for novices through to experienced fishermen, with personalised tours operating seven days a week. Expect to find blue spot flathead, black bream, King George whiting and pink snapper.

For visitors to Walpole, follow the locals and head to the Nornalup and Walpole inlets for great light-tackle fishing for black bream, King George and yellow fin whiting.

Nornalup Inlet, Denmark.

Keen to try land-based fishing? Mandalay Beach, Bellanger Beach (4WD access is needed here) or Conspicuous Beach are favourites. You’ll be treated to a spectacular view of the Southern Ocean, if you don’t also land a catch.

 Albany

As an historic fishing town, there’s no shortage of fishing spots in Albany. For families, popular landmarks Emu Point and Princess Royal Harbour have jetties perfect to cast a line in search of skippy, herring, whiting, silver bream, flathead and squid as well as blue swimmer crabs.

For beach and rock fishing, take the car and head out of town to renowned spots such as Sand Patch (Windfarm), Cable Beach (The Gap), Salmon Holes and Frenchman’s Bay. Be sure to fish to your capability, though, as some areas can be treacherous in inclement weather. Alternatively, explore the King and Kalgan rivers at a leisurely pace for blackbream, herring and skippy.

Windy Harbour, Albany. Photo by Frances Andrijich.

For experienced anglers, Spinners Charters offers tours of the Continental Shelf as well as deep sea fishing, with all gear and food provided.

Ready to start fishing? We have a 100+ portfolio of homes perfect for your next South-West holiday. Alternatively, contact our friendly Bookings Consultants who can make recommendations based on your specific requirements: +61 8 9750 5444.