WA's best family-friendly fishing spots for summer

Over the past three decades, the popularity of recreational fishing has grown in leaps and bounds in Western Australia.

Most of us would agree that the opportunity to get outdoors and spend less time on our devices has to be a good thing.

When it comes to finding the perfect family-friendly fishing spot over the summer in WA, popular holiday destinations both north and south of Perth present plenty of choices.

With spectacular coastlines, picturesque rivers, and quiet little bays tucked out of the way, here are some spots where you can spend quality time outdoors with the whole family and even catch some dinner.

The Perth and Peel Region

The calm waters of the Swan River and the Peel estuary region are perfect for families, especially those with young children. The urban convenience coupled with attractive shore-based surroundings makes for manageable day trips and lots of fun, even if the fishing isn’t always mind blowing. Researching what is within reach and worth tackling will turn up any number of prospects.

The Swan River is home to black bream, a prime target for urban Perth anglers. Typically, as water salinity levels increase in the upper reaches in summer, the fish are more prolific and active in spots around Canning bridge, the Causeway, the banks along Burswood, East Perth, Maylands, and Ascot, right up to Guildford.

Easy-to-get-to riverbanks with some water depth and structures such as fallen trees or logs, or the many small jetties that are publicly accessible along so many stretches of the river, are the better places to target. With some bloodworms for bait or small, minnow style bream lures, the Swan can produce some great bream fishing. Early morning and late afternoon on low tide is the best time to try.

The Peel inlet and estuary and surrounds near Mandurah provide another good option with protected waters for family-friendly fishing. Just inside the Dawesville cut is a perfect spot to try for herring, salmon trout (juvenile salmon) and other bread and butter species, whilst lots of the estuary itself, is good for yellowfin whiting.

The Swan River and the Mandurah estuary locations will typically feature an abundance of nearby parkland and family-friendly amenities, such as barbeque facilities, picnic tables, and playgrounds. These fallbacks help keep the littlest ones entertained between casts, if their fishing patience wears thin.

The Margaret River region

Further south, the Margaret River region holds many attractions, including convenient fishing possibilities. One of the most productive is the northwards facing shoreline of Geographe Bay. The calm inshore waters of the extended bay have plenty of space to explore and search for fish.

In summer, cruising groups of solid yellowfin whiting frequent the shallows and present a perfect opportunity for kids to learn the finer arts of shore based, sight fishing. Polarised sunglasses are a must and spotting the fish and casting ahead of where they’re moving (with help from Mum or Dad) will invariably bring success, much to the squeals of delight from the young fisher. The Margaret Street groyne, Broadwater and Abbey Beach are great starting points.

Another favoured alternative is the Busselton Jetty which can turn up all manner of fishing surprises including the added bonus of a squid or two. Further east Dunsborough is a fabulous, protected water spot for family fishing picnics and the opportunity to wade about exploring the area with rod in hand.

And if the kids are a little older and more savvy about surf fishing, Yallingup Beach is always worth a try if not too crowded. If it coincides with autumn migrating salmon schools, the experience of tangling with these six or seven kilo sports fish will be remembered for a long time.

The beauty of combining a family holiday in this general region with some targeted fishing opportunities is that there is plenty of added amenity and attraction. The only unfortunate downside is that there are often bigger crowds.

If looking for something a little further afield in this corner of the state, consider some time at Augusta. Nestled at the mouth of the Blackwood River and Hardy Inlet, this holiday gem offers lots of scope with a mixture of ocean, estuary and river fishing. Augusta is well catered for in terms of basic holiday amenities and services and is still close enough to all of the other Margaret River attractions, if need be.

The Great Southern region

The Great Southern region with Albany as its central hub, has much on offer. The area’s friendly fishing culture, history and unique natural beauty make it a superb place with plenty to interest families. It’s also capped off by diverse fishing opportunities through a variety of locations within its perimeter. Being a large regional centre, Albany has plenty of quality accommodation and facilities to complement its tourism and holiday attractions.

For families looking to fish, the Ellen Cove jetty or town jetty are a good starting point, or if looking for something more relaxing, the Emu Point channel. This lies about six kilometres east of the central townsite and is a great spot to spend a few hours trying for herring, whiting or flathead. Further east again lies the Kalgan River, a renowned black bream spot, that can be fished from shore or with a dinghy.

Two People’s Bay and Little Beach are stunning beach locations within easy driving distance that can be enjoyed with some fishing gear. Such is the nature of the whole Princess Royal harbour and surrounding hinterland that much of the fun can be in exploring the whole area over a period of days. Be sure to include a trip to the National ANZAC Centre, The Cheyne’s Beach Whaling Station, Torndirrup National Park and Middleton Beach.

It would be difficult with any visit to this part of the world to ignore other southern jewels such as Denmark and Walpole. Walpole/Nornalup in particular, is a great spot to enjoy with the family and some planned fishing in mind.

Walking and casting from the shorelines of the inlet here can be great fun with bream, yellowfin whiting, flathead and herring all possible. A small dinghy or kayak also make’s it possible to explore the Frankland River at Nornalup or put in at Walpole inlet itself, fishing at various likely looking spots and enjoying the captivating scenery along the way. Conspicuous Beach and Mandalay Beach are productive surf spots if ocean beach fishing is more your thing.

Summer and autumn are the best times to be here and accommodation tends to be heavily booked at peak times so planning something well in advance is essential. The relaxed, friendly vibe and great surroundings make this whole area increasingly attractive as a place to take in with family.

Esperance

Esperance and the south-east coast is one of WA’s best, largely undiscovered, secrets. A family getaway to this more isolated southern region will highlight just how special and unique it is, with incredible surf beaches that are not overfished or crowded.

The best way to really experience the pristine and special nature of the area for a holidaying family is with a four-wheel drive and exploring the seemingly endless beaches and magnificent coastline for hundreds of kilometres either side of the town. The chance to enjoy surf fishing at its very best with salmon, skippy (silver trevally), big bull herring, mulloway and various whiting featuring in the catch, has a lot of appeal.

Cape Le Grand National Park and Cape Arid National Park, both to the east are worthy of taking in along with an extended trip to the Israelite Bay telegraph station ruins, but it does require some self-sufficiency and a four-wheel drive.

In Esperance, if your stay is restricted largely to town, try your luck at the Taylor street jetty.

North of Perth to Dongara

For those families looking for something north of the city, there are a number of small crayfishing towns and hamlets within fairly easy reach for weekend or overnight getaways. Moore River at Guilderton is a comfortable day trip and great outing for the family with a couple of fishing rods. Tailor can be caught from the beach at first light and on dusk or further up at Three Mile Reef (four-wheel drive necessary.)

Jurien Bay is a very popular family holiday destination and large enough to cater for just about all holiday necessities. The small jetty, town beaches and the marina are focal points for holidaying youngsters keen to hook something. Cervantes further north, has long been a mid-west tailor fishing hotspot and the place for families to enjoy the thrill of this type of beach fishing armed with longer surf rods.

Port Denison at the mouth of the Irwin River and the nearby town of Dongara are also worth visiting in summer with fishing gear. Tailor, herring, school mulloway, tarwhine and whiting can be readily found at the local beaches. South of Port Denison and at the end of Church Street on the beach at Dongara are both easily accessible for families for a morning or late afternoon fish. Don’t be afraid to try some metal slice lures or poppers for tailor rather than the typical pilchard baits.

The break walls of Port Denison marina are also a very popular spot with easy access. The north break wall is good for the whole family as it’s protected from any swell and a prime mulloway spot at night, for those feeling more adventurous.