If you’re looking for a new fishing spot this weekend, why not escape Perth and try fishing in Augusta? Augusta fishing spots are some of the best in Western Australia’s Southwest region. Here the Blackwood River empties into Flinders Bay, and the Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean, offering plenty of diverse fishing. What better way to spend a leisurely weekend than casting a line and sitting back with a cold drink?
This article has everything you need to know about Augusta Fishing. Augusta fishing spots, the gear you’ll need, the types of fish you can catch as well as some handy tips on how best to prepare for Fishing in Augusta WA, so you can make the most of your Southwest fishing trip. So get ready for an adventure!
Why go fishing in Augusta?
Augusta is a small town in Australia’s South West region. It’s located on Wardani Land, with nearby areas being home to Noongar peoples up to 47 000 years ago.
It has a rich maritime history – being settled by whalers and sealers in the 1830s. These days, visitors from June to September may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of southern right and humpback whales as they pass through Flinders Bay on their migration journey.
Home to stunning beaches with bright white sand and clear turquoise water, as well as plenty of secluded river inlets, Augusta is the perfect destination for recreational fishing, swimming, and beach four-wheel driving.
Travelling from Perth to Augusta
Augusta is located about 314km south of Perth. Visitors can reach Augusta in around three and a half hours by road.
Visitors can also reach Augusta by coach in around 5 and a half hours. The bus departs from East Perth Terminal and runs at various times throughout the week. For more information head to TransWA.
What can you catch when fishing in Augusta?
Augusta is the perfect spot to catch a wide variety of fish, it’s home to some of the best fishing spots in Western Australia. Here are some of the fish that frequent the area. Please note: bag and size limits below are accurate at the time of publication. Up to date fishing rules can be found at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.
Whiting
Whiting are one of my favourite fish to eat with their light and slightly sweet flavour. Whiting are a common catch in and around Augusta and they’re easy to catch from both beaches and jetties.
Summer is the best time to catch whiting but they are around all year long. If you’re chasing whiting, head to Ellis St Jetty, Hardy Inlet, Cosy Corner, Hamelin Bay of the area in front of the Colour Patch Cafe
There are two varieties local to Augusta – King George and yellowfin. Whiting forage for food in sandy, shallow waters which makes them an excellent option for beach and Jetty fishing in and around Augusta.
Their natural diet includes worms, small crustaceans and molluscs so the best bait options are sandworms, prawns, and blood worms. Small surface lures are a good option for lure fishing whiting.
Recreational Fishing Rules for yellowfin whiting detail a daily bag limit of 30, with no minimum size limit. Or a daily bag limit of 12 for King George whiting, with a minimum size requirement of 280mm.
Black Bream
Common to estuaries and rivers along the southern coast of Australia, Black Bream are a popular recreational fish in WA. They spend their whole life cycle in estuaries and are resilient to changes in their habitat.
They thrive on a varied diet of worms, small crustaceans, molluscs, some vegetation and small fish. When chasing black bream, the best bait includes worms, prawns, and small fillets. They can also be caught on surface lures, soft plastics and stickbaits.
Recreational fishing rules for black bream state a daily bag limit of 6 and a minimum size requirement of 250mm.
Silver bream (or tarwhine)
Silver bream can also be targeted in rivers and estuaries, especially around structures like jetties and fallen trees.
Silver bream commonly eat small crustaceans; however, adults tend to stick to a more herbivore diet, which can make them harder to catch. The best bait for this species is whitebait or blue sardines.
If you’re fishing for silver bream, you’ll need to make sure they’re larger than 250mm and you don’t take more than 6 in a day to comply with the Recreational Fishing Rules.
Skippy (or silver trevally)
Skippy, or silver trevally are a fun catch! Close to shore you’re likely to find juvenile skippy and in deeper water, you’ll find the adults who really put up a fight.
Head to Skippy Rock, Ellis St Jetty, Hardy Inlet, Cosy Corner or Hamelin Bay to chase skippy.
Skippy naturally feed on crustaceans, molluscs and worms so use prawns, mullet, pilchards, blue bait or squid for bait. Sharp hooks are best for their soft mouths.
There is a daily bag limit of 8 for skippy and a minimum size requirement of 250mm, according to the Recreational Fishing Rules.
Herring
Herring are small fish that can be found close to shore where they school in large groups to defend themselves against predators. In and around Augusta, they can be caught at Ellis St Jetty, Hardy Inlet, Cosy Corner, Hamelin Bay and the area outside the Colour Patch.
There is no minimum size limit for herring, but you’ll have to stick to a daily bag limit of 12, according to the WA Recreational Fishing Rules.
Adult herring feed on small fish and crustaceans, but in terms of fishing, herring will go after whitebait, blue bait and prawn bait options.
Salmon
Salmon Season in Southern Western Australia is from March to May and this is a fantastic time to head to Augusta for a fishing trip! Salmon flock to the area around Easter time to spawn and hundreds of fishermen and women head to the region during this time to try their luck. The average catch during the salmon run is 5-6kg but some 8kg beauties can be caught too.
Salmon can be caught straight from the beach. They can be caught at any time of the day but head out at dawn or dusk for your best chances. Salmon can be caught using small baitfish, but most people use lures. The best lures for catching salmon include poppers, stick baits and metal slices.
To comply with the Recreational Fishing Rules, ensure you don’t take home more than 4 salmon in a day and your catch needs to be over 300mm in length. Keep in mind that salmon need to be bled and placed in icy saltwater as soon as possible.
Tailor
Tailor can be caught from Hardy Inlet, Skippy Rock and Hamelin Bay fishing spots. Tailor are powerful swimmers who hunt in packs for smaller bait fish meals.
Tailor naturally feed on smaller fish, so the best bait options when targeting them include whole baits such as mullies, blue bait, scalie mackerel, pilchards, and guardies. If lure fishing, choose one that resembles a baitfish, be it metal or soft plastic.
Unfortunately, tailor are a vulnerable species in WA, so be sure to follow Recreational Fishing Rules when chasing this fish. The minimum size limit is 300mm, and the daily bag limit is 8 (and only two over 500mm).
Mulloway
The mulloway is a large predatory fish that can reach around two metres in length and a huge 70kg in weight. Catching one of these is a goal for most anglers!
Mulloway are commonly found chasing schools of tailor, so they can sometimes be caught in Hardy Inley when tailor are around.
Mulloway typically feed on crustaceans, squid, smaller fish, octopus and worms. The best bait for targeting them includes mulies, scalie mackerel and mullet. Soft plastic and swimbaits are the best lure options for the mulloway.
To comply with WA’s Recreational Fishing Rules, you’ll need to make sure your mulloway is larger than 500mm and that you don’t take home more than two per day.
Flathead
Flathead can be caught at Ellis St Jetty, Hardy Inlet and the area across from the Colour Patch. They’re a fun fish to catch! It’s possible to snag a large flathead in relatively shallow, sandy water and they put up a great fight!
The best bait for flathead includes whitebait, pilchard, squid and prawns but they can also go for soft plastic lures.
To comply with the Recreational Fishing Rules make sure your flathead are over 300mm in length and you don’t take home more than 8 in a day.
Where to buy bait and tackle in Augusta
The best place to buy bait and tackle in Augusta is at Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports. They stock a good range of tackle and bait, as well as general camping, clothing and outdoor recreation supplies. They’re friendly and really knowledgeable about local fishing spots and the best bait to use for local fish.
Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports is open 7 days from 7am to 5pm and is located at 3/66 Blackwood Ave, Augusta WA 6290.
If you’re looking to stock up on fishing gear before your trip, click here to shop all things rods, reels and tackle.
The Best fishing spots in Augusta, WA
There are some great Augusta fishing spots to suit each and every fishing style. From boat, kayak or canoe fishing to beach and jetty fishing Augusta has it all!
Ellis Street Jetty, Hardy Inlet, Skippy Rock, Cosy Corner Beach, Hamelin Bay and the Colour Patch are some of the best spots for southwest fishing and below you’ll find all the information you need on these spots, what you can catch and the bait you’ll need.
Ellis Street Jetty (Augusta Jetty)
Augusta jetty fishing is popular at Ellis St Jetty (aka Old Town Jetty). The Jetty, which overlooks the beautiful Blackwood River, is used for fishing and to launch canoes and kayaks. There’s also a nearby boat ramp for launching bigger watercraft.
The Jetty is an easy walk from town and the surrounding grassy area makes for a great spot to enjoy fish and chips for lunch.
Ellis St Jetty is a decent spot to catch whiting, skippy, bream, herring and flathead. On my last visit here the fish were well and truly biting! As soon as my line hit the water I hooked my first black bream of the day and they kept coming. Other catches included herring and even a beautiful juvenile snapper.
Ellis Street Jetty is easily located at the end of Ellis St, off blackwood Ave – the main street in Augusta
Hardy Inlet
Hardy Inlet is an expansive 20 square kilometre inlet into which the Blackwood river and Scott river discharge. The Estuary is home to plenty of migratory waterbirds which can be spotted from November to March, and beautiful wildflowers line the shores during Spring.
Hary inlet is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking and boating, as well as watersports such as water skiing and wakeboarding. Avid hikers can even join the massive Cape-to-Cape Track here, exploring the natural landscapes between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste.
The inlet is best fished from a kayak or boat, but there are also plenty of shoreline fishing spots.
Hardy Inlet is a good spot to catch yellowfin whiting, King George whiting, black bream, herring, flathead, mulloway, tarwhine, tailor, and skippy.
The grassy Hardy Inlet foreshore has toilet and shower facilities, as well as BBQs and picnic tables and kids can enjoy the playground.
Skippy Rock
Skippy Rock is a popular place for recreational activities like fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving. This spot offers fishing from the rocks and there is a nearby sandy beach which can also be fished. If you choose to fish from the rocks ensure you do so when the water is calm and you take good care not to get swept off the rocks. There is a hook embedded in the rocks which a rope can be tied to for extra protection.
Skippy Rock is a good place to catch skippy, Samson fish, tailor and with the possibility of salmon from around March to May.
The whole family will enjoy a day out at Skippy Rock. The kids can enjoy exploring the tidal rock pools, and hikers can get some good bushwalking in. Be sure to bring your own water and plenty of sun protection during the warmer months.
If rock fishing here, take care when rock fishing and only fish here while the waters are calm.
Skippy Rock can be reached by driving south along Leeuwin Road, making a right turn onto Skippy Rock Road and turning left to reach the car park.
Cosy Corner Beach
The aptly named Cosy Corner is a stunning sheltered beach, which is popular for swimming, snorkelling, diving and fishing. The area features bright white sand and turquoise water. Limestone platforms on the beach contain blowholes that can vigorously spurt water on rough days.
Offshore, limestone islands poke out of the water and are surrounded by vibrant reefs, protected under the Nagari Capes Marine Park. It’s these reefs that draw in snorkelers and divers.
There are great spots for both beach and rock fishing in this area. Again, be sure to fish from rocks safely – there have been fatalities at Cosy Corner as fishers have been swept off rocks. As it’s a special purpose zone, boat fishing is not permitted. Spearfishing and octopus potting are also not permitted here.
If you’re interested in chasing King George whiting, herring or skippy, Cosy Corner is worth a visit. Salmon are also a possibility from around March to May.
The beach is accessible by 2 wheel drive. It is around 15 minutes from Augusta and can be reached by driving along Caves Road, before making a left turn onto Cosy Corner Road.
Hamelin Bay
Famously home to a number of stingray species who love to show off close to shore, Hamelin bay is well worth a stop on your Augusta fishing trip. There’s some great beach fishing from Hamelin Bay Beach and there is a nearby boat ramp for offshore fishing.
Hamelin Bay is a great spot to catch whiting, skippy, silver bream, tailor, herring and Salmon from March to May. Further offshore fishers may be lucky enough to grab pink snapper, Samson fish or Dhufish.
Hamelin Bay can be reached by travelling along Bussell Highway, making a left turn on to Chapman Road and then turning left onto Hamelin Bay Road West.
The Colour Patch
The sandy area across the road from The Colour Patch Cafe, Bar and Takeaway is an accessible spot close to town where visitors can head for a quick fish.
Fishers heading to Colour Patch may be lucky enough to snag some bream, herring, whiting and flathead.
Then there’s just a quick walk across the road to grab a well-deserved lunch or beer! The Colour Patch Cafe is sure to satisfy any hungry fisherman/woman with its tasty menu featuring plenty of seafood options as well as old pub favourites. It’s also a fantastic spot to enjoy a drink while taking in sweeping views of the water
To reach The Colour Patch, drive down Blackwood Ave then make a left on Albany Terrace and continue until you reach the car park on the left.
Boat Launching
There are a few spots to launch a boat in and around Augusta but Augusta Boat Harbour has great facilities. There is a 4 lane boat launching facility and ample parking for 160 vehicles. Public toilets, and BBQ facilities are also located here. Augusta Boat Harbour is located just 5 minutes south of the town centre off Leeuwin Road.
Best time of year to go fishing in Augusta
Augusta is great for fishing all year round. During summer months the weather is mild and comfortable – perfect for outdoor recreational activities like fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.
The winter months can be rainy and cool but visitors will get the chance to catch a glimpse of the hundreds of whales that pass by on their migration journey. Humpback whales leave northern waters of the Kimberley region after giving birth to return to the Antarctic with their calves.
The area is famous for its annual salmon run from March to May each year. Thousands of anglers flock to the region each season for the chance to bag an 80cm beauty! Salmon are best fished at dawn and dusk right from the beach.
Last words on Fishing in Augusta
Packing up and heading down to Augusta for a fishing weekend will not disappoint! There are plenty of varieties to chase and fishing spots to explore. So escape the hectic city this weekend and head off on an Augusta adventure!
Do you have any favourite fishing spots in and around Augusta that I missed? Comment below!
Looking for more weekend inspiration?
if you want to get more out of your Augusta trip check out our Ultimate Guide to the Best things to do in Augusta. If you need more fishing spots, check out my Complete Guide to Fishing in Busselton, Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Margaret River or Complete Guide to Fishing in Dunsborough. Or why not try whale watching in Dunsborough while you’re down south? Or head two hours north to the small fishing town of Cervantes for a spectacular weekend of fishing. Or go on a road trip to Jurien Bay and head on a Jurien Bay fishing trip. How about going snorkelling in Exmouth?
Or how about a good old-fashioned road trip? Check out the Perth to Cervantes Road Trip Guide for all the information you’ll need for a great weekend!
If you’re keen to get outside check out a Bells Rapids hike, Lesmurdie Falls Hike or Walyunga National Park.
Fishing in Augusta FAQ
There are plenty of great fishing spots in Augusta. The best ones are Hardy Inlet, Ellis Street Jetty, Cosy Corner Beach, Skippy Rock and Hamelin Bay.
There are lots of fish species to catch in Augusta, including whiting, bream, salmon, herring, skippy, flathead, tailor, mulloway, Samson fish, Dhu fish and pink snapper.
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