Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Margaret River in 2024: Best Spots, Tips + More!

Margaret River is the go-to spot for the classic down south weekend getaway from Perth, and for good reason – it’s hard to go past all the beaut wineries, breweries, great food and stunning scenery! But if you’re looking for a relaxing activity to freshen up after a big day at the wineries, why not take advantage of the incredible fishing the region has to offer? 

Personally, I love taking a break during my down south trip to throw in a line from the beach. There’s some great fishing in the area so if you’re looking for all the best Margaret River fishing spots or wondering what you can catch, read on for all the details. 

Why Go Fishing in Margaret River?

Margaret River is a great destination for a Perth weekend getaway. It’s a scenic 3-hour drive from Perth and is home to world-class wineries, forests of towering Karri trees and stunning beaches. 

There are plenty of amazing fishing spots in and around Margaret River and you’ll find something for everyone – from beach fishing to productive offshore fishing, for beginners to advanced anglers. Read on for everything you need to know about getting out in the great outdoors and fishing in Margaret River. 

The Best Fishing Spots in Margaret River

If you’re looking for the best fishing spots in and around Margaret River I’ve got you covered! Here you’ll find details about the best spots close to the heart of Margaret River, as well as some great spots that are a short drive away. Here are the best Margaret River fishing spots I recommend: 

Margaret River Mouth

The mouth of Margaret River is just a 10-minute drive from the Margaret River town centre. Here, the river meets the Indian Ocean creating an estuary environment that attracts a lot of different fish varieties making it a popular fishing spot for both locals and visitors. 

Margaret River Mouth is all about variety! You can try your hand at both river and surf fishing and catch varieties like black bream in the river, and herring, tailor and salmon (during the salmon run) in the ocean. 

The best time to fish the Margaret River Mouth is early morning or late afternoon for river fishing. Beach fishing can be good all day but you’ll often have the most luck at dawn or dusk. 

Margaret River

Unsurprisingly, Margaret River flows through the region, providing some good fishing spots right in the heart of the town or even out a little further. Finding spots to fish Margaret River from the shore is a little tricky, but grab that rod and kayak and you should find some decent freshwater varieties like black bream and trout.

The best time to fish Margaret River is in the early morning or late afternoon, especially after a good rain when river levels rise. 

Prevelly Beach

Just a short 10 minutes from Margaret River town, Prevelly Beach is a popular fishing spot. It’s convenient as it’s well-signed and easy to find. At Prevelly you can enjoy both beach fishing as well as rock fishing. Common catches include tailor, herring, King George whiting, skippy and salmon during the annual salmon run.

The best time to fish Prevelly Beach is in the early morning or late afternoon, particularly in the summer when conditions are most pleasant. 

Boranup Beach

A little further out from Margaret River at 35 minutes, Boranup Beach is worth the drive! This beach is less crowded and is absolutely pristine! It’s a great spot for surf fishing and anglers here may be lucky enough to catch King George whiting, tailor, herring, and salmon during the salmon run. More experienced anglers may even be able to snag a shark or other larger species. 

The best time to fish Boranup Beach again is in the late afternoon or early morning which brings more fish activity.

Cowaramup Bay

Cowaramup Bay is located around 20 minutes from Margaret River in Gracetown. The protection of the bay makes for some good fishing in a beautiful location. Here you have the option to fish from the rocks or from the beach. Common catches here include King George whiting and herring along the beach or even dhufish or snapper from the rocks. You can also target squid here around structures like the jetty and rocks. 

The best time to fish at Cowaramup Bay is in the early morning or late afternoon when fish are most active and during calm weather days. 

Kilcarnup Beach

Located around 20 minutes from Margaret River, Kilcarnup Beach is a chill fishing spot away from the more popular tourist beaches. There are both rock and beach spots here and it’s rich in marine biodiversity so you can catch a good variety of fish here. Anglers may be lucky enough to snag King George whiting, tailor, skippy, herring and salmon in autumn. 

Fishing at Kilcarnup Beach is best in the early morning and late afternoon, as with most beach fishing spots. There’s also some pretty good surfing for beginners at Kilcarnup beach, making it perfect for a day at the beach. 

Gnarabup Beach

Gnarabup Beach is around a 10-minute drive west of Margaret River town, just a little further past Prevelly Beach. This spot is great for a family day out fishing – it has facilities like toilets and showers and the nearby White Elephant Cafe. 

Common catches here include King George whiting, tailor, skippy, silver bream and salmon during the annual salmon run in Autumn. There’s also a jetty at the boat ramp which is a good place to snag some squid.  

The best time to fish at Gnarabup Beach is at dawn and dusk when the fish are most active. When you’re done fishing you can go for a surf or a swim and it’s even dog friendly so you can bring your mate. 

Redgate Beach

Redgate beach is around 15 minutes south of Margaret River and it’s known for its spectacular scenery – offering a beaut backdrop for your day fishing! There’s decent surf fishing at Redgate Beach and it’s often less crowded than some of the other spots on this list. Common catches from the beach include tailor, King George whiting, and Salmon in autumn. 

Dawn and dusk are generally the best time for fishing at Redgate Beach.

Smiths Beach, Yallingup 

Smiths Beach is a little further from Margaret River at around 40 minutes north of the town but it’s well worth the drive as it’s a beautiful spot and is super popular for both locals and tourists. There’s some excellent surf fishing from the long stretch of beach and anglers can be lucky enough to snag some herring, King George whiting, tailor, skippy, flathead, mulloway and salmon during their migration in autumn. 

Like most spots on this list, Smiths Beach is best fished in the early morning and late afternoon.

Injidup Beach

Injidup Beach near Yallingup is a 30-35 minute drive north of Margaret River and is one of my personal favourite beaches in Western Australia – it’s absolutely stunning! Lucky anglers can target tailor, skippy, garfish herring and King George whiting as well as dhufish and snapper off the rocks. Squid can also be caught here, particularly in the evenings. 

Fish are generally more active in the early morning and late afternoon so these are the best times to fish at Injidup Beach. 

Hamelin Bay

Hamelin Bay is located around 30 minutes south of Margaret River. Hamelin Bay Beach can get a little busy with people visiting the famous stingrays that call the beach home, but outside of peak times it can be a tranquil spot to fish. Here you may be lucky enough to catch whiting, herring, skippy, flathead and garfish. Dhufish and snapper can also be caught here offshore. 

Early mornings and late afternoons are the best for fishing at Hamelin Bay.

Fishing Near Margaret River

If you don’t mind travelling a little further there are some great towns in the Margaret River Region all with their own unique charm offering different fishing possibilities. Read on for all the best fishing around Margaret River. 

Fishing in Augusta

Augusta, which is roughly 35-40 minutes from Margaret River, is a small town in WA’s South West and is a cracking spot for fishing. It’s got a rich maritime history and is a top spot for whale watching from June to September. The area is home to stunning beaches and secluded river inlets, great for a whole variety of outdoor activities – including fishing!

The best fishing spots in Augusta are: 

• Ellis Street Jetty: Ideal for targeting whiting, skippy, bream, herring, and flathead
• Hardy Inlet: Great for various species including whiting, bream, and mulloway
• Skippy Rock: Known for skippy, Samson fish, tailor, and salmon (March-May)
• Cosy Corner Beach: Offers beach and rock fishing for King George whiting, herring, and skippy
• The Colour Patch: An accessible spot for a quick fish, targeting bream, herring, whiting, and flathead

Augusta is a year-round fishing destination but the annual salmon run from March to May is a highlight. The best time of day for fishing in the area is generally early morning or late afternoon. 

For more details on fishing in the area check out my Complete Guide to Fishing in Augusta.

Fishing in Dunsborough

Dunsborough is located on the shores of Geographe Bay, around 40 minutes north of Margaret River. It’s a top-notch fishing destination and after a day out on the water, there are plenty of fun things to do, including whale watching between September and November. 

The best fishing spots in Dunsborough are:

• Dunsborough Beach: Good for flathead, flounder, King George whiting, and yellowfin whiting
• Old Dunsborough Boat Ramp: Great for targeting flounder, King George whiting, flathead, tailor, and yellowfin whiting
• Quindalup Boat Ramp: Known for King George whiting, herring, yellowfin whiting, and squid
• Abbey Beach and Boat Ramp: Common catches include King George whiting, herring, and yellowfin whiting
• Castle Rock Beach: A good spot for whiting, skippy, and herring
• Meelup Beach: Offers herring, whiting, skippy, Blue Manna crabs, and salmon
• Eagle Bay: Excellent for tailor, skippy, King George whiting, herring, and salmon
• Bunker Bay: Good for herring, King George whiting, skippy, flathead, tailor, and salmon

Dunsborough is a great fishing location for anglers of all skill levels and fishing here is good year round. During March to May visitors flock to Dunsborough beaches here to target salmon. 

For more details on fishing in the area check out my Complete Guide to Fishing in Dunsborough. 

Fishing in Busselton

Busselton is also located on the shores of Geographe Bay, just 40-45 minutes northeast of Margaret River. It’s known for the impressive Busselton Jetty that stretches 1.8km out into the ocean, making it the largest wooden piled Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s also home to some great whale watching from August to November. 

The best fishing spots in and around Busselton are: 

• Busselton Jetty: Offers a range of species like whiting, tailor, skippy, herring, snapper, mulloway, southern bluefin tuna, and Samson fish. Squid fishing is also popular at night
• Busselton Beach: Ideal for beach fishing, targeting King George whiting, yellowfin whiting, herring, and tailor
• Port Geographe Marina: Offers black bream, skippy, and King George whiting.
• Geographe Bay: Known for bonito and tailor, especially during early mornings or late afternoons
• Peppermint Grove Beach: Good for herring, tailor, skippy, whiting, and flathead
• Capel River: Great for black bream, especially for kayak fishing
• Forrest Beach: Known for mulloway, especially after heavy rains
• Wonnerup-Vasse Estuary: Ideal for small black bream, whiting, skippy, and King George whiting
• Wonnerup Beach: Offers herring, King George whiting, and skippy

The best time to fish most of the spots in and around Busselton is in the early morning or late afternoon. For all the details on fishing in the area check out my Complete Guide to Fishing in Busselton. 

Margaret River Offshore Fishing 

Margaret River’s location and climate allow for good offshore fishing all year round. The region is also renowned for its rich and diverse marine life, offering exciting offshore catches from dhufish and snapper to southern bluefin tuna. 

Boat Ramps:

If you’re keen to head out on the boat this weekend you’ve got a few good options in the region:

• Old Dunsborough Boat Ramp: Located at Dunn Bay, this ramp is ideal for smaller boats, and care is needed due to submerged rocks. The area has a large swimming enclosure and is close to Dunsborough town for supplies​​, just keep in mind it can get busy!
• Quindalup Boat Ramp: Situated close to Dunsborough, this is a good spot to launch smaller boats and it provides easy access to Geographe Bay​​
• Abbey Boat Ramp: This ramp near Busselton offers another point of access to Geographe Bay and there’s plenty of parking. It’s a good spot for catching whiting and squid in the summer​​
• Port Geographe Marina: Situated close to Busselton, this is another convenient launch point for accessing Geographe Bay, with facilities for larger boats​​.
• Gracetown Boat Ramp: Located in Cowaramup Bay, this ramp is suitable for accessing offshore fishing spots. It’s important to be aware of the local tide, wind, and swell conditions here​​ and launching can sometimes be a little tricky

What can you catch when fishing in Margaret River?

Margaret River is a fantastic spot to throw in a line and there’s a huge variety of species you can target. Remember that bag and size limits apply and up-to-date rules can be found at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website. 

Here are all the details of fish you can catch in the Margaret River Region:

Herring

Australian Herring are found all along the southern and south-west coasts of WA, including the waters of the Margaret River Region. They’re schooling fish, often found inshore, around seagrass beds or near weed-covered reefs. 

Herring’s natural diet consists of small crustaceans and fish. Effective bait includes whitebait, mulies in pieces, squid, blood worms or prawns. Small lures can also be effective for targeting herring. 

Herring can be targeted all throughout the day. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for herring size and bag limits. 

King George Whiting

King George Whiting are a popular catch in the region. They’re found in coastal waters of WA, especially in sandy or seagrass areas. They naturally feed on worms, crustaceans and small shellfish. Bait is your best bet for catching King George whiting and bloodworms, octopus and squid strips are good options. 

Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to target King George whiting. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for bag and size limits. 

Skippy 

Skippy (aka silver trevally) are a popular catch along the WA coastline, known for their fun fight! They can be found around reefs and inshore waters, feeding on small fish, crustaceans and squid. Effective bait includes small fish fillets and prawns. Soft plastics worked aggressively also work well. Skippy are best targeted in the early morning and late afternoon. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for skippy size and daily bag limits.

Tailor

Tailor are common along the WA coastline. They’re fast, aggressive swimmers and are often found near the surface. Their diet includes small fish and crustaceans. When targeting tailor your best bet is using bait like pilchards and mulies or lures like metal spinners or soft plastics. Tailor are best caught at dawn or dusk.

Make sure you check out the Recreational Fishing Rules for tailor daily bag and size limits. 

Flathead

Flathead are found all along the WA coast. They’re bottom dwellers, often found in sandy or muddy areas where they wait to ambush their prey. Their natural diet includes small fish and crustaceans. When targeting flathead, live baits like small fish or prawns are effective. When lure fishing choose soft plastics, feathered jigs and small bibbed minnow lures. The best time to catch flathead is in the late afternoon.

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for flathead bag and size limits. 

Tarwhine

Tarwhine, aka silver bream are often found in estuaries and coastal waters, commonly around structures and rocks. They naturally feed on small crustaceans and worms. The best bait for targeting tarwhine includes worms, prawns, squid, octopus and baitfish with a small hook. For lures, soft plastics and minnows are effective. 

Make sure you check the Recreational Fishing Rules for tarwhine size and bag limits. 

Black Bream

Black Bream are commonly found in Margaret River, especially near the river mouth. They prefer sheltered waters and can be quite territorial. They feed on small fish, crustaceans and organic debris. Prawns, blood worms and bait fish on a small hook can be effective for catching black bream. In terms of lures, soft plastics and small hard-bodied lures are your best bet. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for black bream daily bag and size limits.

Dhufish

Dhufish are a prized catch in Western Australia. They can be found around structures like rocks, coral or caves where they feed on a variety of fish and crustaceans. The best bait to target dhufish is squid, pilchards and whole fish. Metal jigs and soft plastics are the best lures. The best time to target dhufish is in the early morning, especially during summer.

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for dhufish size and bag limits.

Pink Snapper

Pink snapper are common in areas like Flinders Bay. They’re known for being strong swimmers and can be quite aggressive. They feed on smaller fish, crustaceans and squid. The best bait for targeting pink snapper includes squid, octopus, mulies and slimy mackerel. In terms of lures, leadhead jigs and metal lures can be effective. The best time for targeting pink snapper is in the early morning, especially in summer. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for pink snapper bag and size limits. 

Mulloway

Mulloway is found along the WA coast, particularly in estuaries and near reef structures. They prefer larger prey like squid and small fish. Effective bait for mulloway includes squid, mulies and live baitfish. Minnows and soft plastic lures can be effective for mulloway too. The best time to target mulloway is at night or during dusk or dawn. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for mulloway size and bag limits. 

Squid

Squid are common in coastal waters of WA. They are predators, feeding on small fish. Squid jigs are your best bet for targeting them and the best time is during dusk and dawn. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for squid bag and size limits. 

Salmon Fishing in Margaret River

From March to May each year, Australian Salmon migrate with the warm Leeuwin Current to lay their eggs. This spectacular natural event sees massive schools of salmon congregating off the beach and draws thousands of visitors to the region each year to try their hand at salmon chasing. It’s a super exciting event!  

If you’re keen to join in the salmon run, metal lures in a variety of sizes are effective and the best time to fish is at dawn or in the late afternoon during the autumn migration. 

Check the Recreational Fishing Rules for salmon bag and size limits. 

Best Time to Go Fishing in Margaret River

The best time for fishing in Margaret River varies with the seasons, each offering something special. The standout event is the annual salmon run, occurring from late summer to early autumn (March to May), which attracts anglers for the incredible migration spectacle. 

Warmer months are ideal for catching species like whiting, flathead, and squid. Throughout the year, Margaret River’s varied environments, from river mouths to offshore spots, promise great fishing opportunities, making it a year-round destination for fishing enthusiasts.

Where to buy bait and tackle in Margaret River

If you’re after bait and tackle in Margaret River I’ve got you covered! Check out these shops:

• Down South Camping & Outdoors: Located at 1/40 Station Road Margaret River
• BCF Margaret River: Located at 2 Acer Place Margaret River

Last words on fishing in Margaret River

Margaret River really is a fisherman’s paradise, offering a diverse range of fishing experiences throughout the year. Whether you’re chasing the excitement of the annual salmon run or the tranquillity of casting a line for whiting, flathead, or squid, this region has something for every angler. 

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