Fishing in Australia: Best Tips & Tricks for Fishing in Australia

You may not know this, but Australia is the only country in the world that solely covers an entire continent, and thanks to that, you’ll have access to some of the world’s most pristine and abundant coastlines and waterways. Start adding up the bodies of water, including over 400 rivers, 11,000 lakes, and 600,000 km of coastline, and you’ll quickly realize that you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a fishing destination in Australia.

Along with hundreds of unique fish not found anywhere else in the world and thousands of productive fishing locations, Australia is truly an angler’s paradise. It doesn’t matter what type of fishing you enjoy, spinning, bait fishing, fly fishing, offshore, inshore, fresh, or saltwater, Australia has it all. If you’ve been trying to plan the ultimate Australian fishing adventure, then read on!

In the following article, Australian Fishing: A Basic Guide, we’ll cover:

It’s not always easy to decide where to fish in Australia, thanks to its abundant coastlines, but if you need a little help deciding, check out Melbourne Fishing: Your Comprehensive Guide, where we cover everything you’ll need to know about having a successful fishing adventure in Melbourne, Victoria.

The Fishbox is a premium Fishing Forecasting App, which gives you access to advanced technology, including the best time to go fishing in Australia, including each individual state and territory, and when you’re better off relaxing at home.

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Understanding Australian Fish Species

The Best and Most Unique Australian Fish

Below are probably some of the most popular fish in Australia and also the most highly sought-after. They’re not all easy to catch, so you’ll need to put in some hard work if you want to add a few of these to your list.

Barramundi – One of the most iconic fish in Australia is probably the Barramundi. This large fish inhabits both fresh and saltwater and lives in the northern states of Australia. They can grow up to 20kgs, so you’re going to need to have your fishing tackle in peak condition if you want to handle one of these monsters in the snags.
Flathead – There are a variety of different Flathead species available around the coastal areas of Australia, and you’ll catch them year-round. Early morning and dusk are the best times to catch these delicious fish, and you can catch them on soft plastics and bait. They live close to the bottom, so you’ll need to fish your rig close to the bottom, but they often move close to shore on sandy beaches and bays.
Snapper – Snapper is abundant up and down the east coast of Australia, and these delicious-tasting fish are an absolute favorite with recreational fishers. They feed close to the bottom, with bait and soft plastics being the most effective way to catch one of these monsters.
Giant Trevally – Not to be confused with deep sea Trevalla, or smaller inshore Silver Trevally, Giant Trevally or GTs are hard-fighting fish, with average size being around 15kgs and large fish weighing up to 40kgs. They live close to rocky outcrops, and reefs have lightning-fast runs, razor-sharp teeth, and smash gear.
Murray Cod – Despite overfishing and excessive angler pressure, you can still catch Murray Cod in the Murray-Darling River system in NSW. These large freshwater fish inhabit deep holes in rivers and streams and can be extremely difficult to catch, but they certainly deserve their place in the top Australian fish.

Common Australian Freshwater Fish

Apart from the over-top Australian fish we mentioned above, there’s also a variety of exciting freshwater fish on offer. Australia may be surrounded by saltwater, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some fantastic freshwater fishing available to anglers. While we’re not going to list them all, we’ll cover the most popular varieties below, along with some honorable mentions.

Australian Bass – Abundant in freshwater waterways across eastern Australia, the native Australian Bass, often referred to as Perch, is highly sought-after by freshwater anglers. You can expect a hard strike with long runs once you hook up, so make sure your tackle is up to the challenge. Even though Australian Bass aren’t required to be released, enthusiasts often release fish to prevent overfishing and protect the species.
Perch – While a lot of locals refer to Australian Bass as Perch, there are actually several different Perch species in Australia. In the southern part of Australia, you’ll encounter Redfin Perch, with Estuary Perch further north. Bost varieties of Perch are fun to catch and taste great.
Saratoga – There are two species of Saratoga you can catch in Australia, with both varieties a lot of fun to catch on fly fishing equipment. You’ll need to focus on the northern end of Australia if you want to tackle one of these toothy monsters.

Some of the more common and readily available freshwater fish in Australia include Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Murray Cod, and much more.

Common Australian Saltwater Fish

If saltwater fishing is more your speed, there’s undoubtedly plenty of saltwater action to be had in Australia, with thousands of beaches, estuaries, bays, and rocky shorelines to choose from. We can’t mention all the saltwater fish species on offer, so we’ll try to cover some of the more common and popular ones.

Bream – Bream is a staple up and down the east coast of Australia, living in bays, estuaries, and rivers close to the shore. They love to lurk near underwater structures such as jetties, wharves, and snags and can grow up to 1-2kgs in weight. Fishing with soft plastic and bait is the most effective way to target these wily fish.
Whiting – If it’s a delicious feed you’re looking for, you can’t go past Whiting. There are several different varieties of whiting, including Sand Whiting and King George Whiting, and both are highly sought after by recreational saltwater anglers.
Spanish Mackerel – Winter is the best time of year to chase the large Spanish Mackerel lurking off the coast of Australia, but they’re available in smaller numbers year-round if you’re lucky. Trolling is the most effective method used by anglers to hook big Spanish Mackerel, with most fish weighing around 10kgs.
Queenfish – Queenfish are arguably one of the best pound-for-pound gamefish in Australia, and their location close to shore makes them highly accessible. They’ll take bait or lures, which can be a lot of fun on light tackle, but be prepared for their fast runs and leaps.
Australian Salmon – This is not the same as Atlantic Salmon, the salmon you commonly find in stores. Australian Salmon requires a lot of work and care to ensure they’re table-ready. Bleeding them on capture, keeping them ice, filleting, and removing the skin before cooking are considered best practices. They may not be the greatest to eat, but they’re available in huge numbers and are a lot of fun to catch.

Some of the other notable saltwater species include Jewfish, Tailor, Barracouta, Southern Calamari, Queensland Groper, and many more.

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Essential Fishing Gear

The fishing gear you need will be largely determined by what type of fishing you prefer. The most popular fishing options in Australia include:

Inshore Fishing;
Offshore Fishing;
Freshwater Fishing;
Beach or Surf Fishing.

One of the most versatile pieces of equipment for anglers planning on fishing in different locations throughout Australia is a light to medium spinning rod and reel combo. This combo will allow you to target most inshore and freshwater species while also spinning along the beaches.

If you’re planning on heading offshore or spending a lot of time fishing from a boat, you could switch out to a shorter boat rod and reel combo that won’t cast as well but will be easier to manage in a smaller boat. For offshore anglers chasing large gamefish, you’ll need a larger game fishing rod and reel setup.

Anglers planning on spending a lot of time fishing from the beach should consider investing in a longer surf fishing rod, which will help get their bait out further and keep their line out of the crashing waves.

Fishing Techniques and Strategies

With such a broad and diverse range of different fisheries and fish species, it’s no surprise that there are various opportunities. You have a variety of different fishing techniques available to choose from. Below are some of the more popular fishing techniques in Australia:

Fly Fishing

Once predominantly used for freshwater fishing, fly fishing is now a popular saltwater technique used close to reefs, rocky outcrops, estuaries, bays, beaches, and shallow sand flats surrounding Australia. Fly fishing requires a specialized fly rod and reel and will involve a little bit of practice to master, but once you do, it can be a fun and exciting way to catch fish.

Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing is the staple of recreational fishing across Australia. It can be done from shore or from a boat and typically involves bait, but soft plastics are becoming increasingly popular for various species, including Snapper and Flathead. Bottom fishing is a practical, low-cost way to enjoy catching and eating some delicious fish.

Trolling

If you can access a boat, trolling for species such as Salmon, Tailor, Barracouta, Spanish, Tuna, Mackerel, and many other pelagic species can be highly productive. Trolling involves motoring around in your boat and trailing lures behind the boat at set distances. The speed and distance will depend on the target species but don’t forget to throw a lure close to the boat. The turbulence created by the motor wash is often a hot spot for fish activity.

Shore Fishing

For most recreational anglers, especially tourists and visitors, shore fishing will be the go-to method for fishing in Australia. Shore fishing could include bottom fishing, spinning, soft plastic jigging, fly fishing, and beach fishing. A light to medium spinning rod and reel combo will be your most effective multi-use setup, enabling you to target various fresh and saltwater species around Australia.

Best Fishing Spots in Australia

You’re not spoiled for choice when it comes to different fishing destinations in Australia. The hardest decision you’re going to have to make is where not to fish!

Our top fishing destinations in Australia include:

The Northern Territory

Covered in mangroves, beaches, and coral reefs, the Northern Territory is a fantastic tropical fishing destination. Some of the most notable places to fish in the Northern Territory include the Mary River, Dundee Coast, Bynoe Harbour, Adelaide River, Tiwi Islands, and Darwin Harbour.

Queensland

A little further south, but not much, is the state of Queensland. Broken into two distinct areas, north Queensland and south Queensland, this state averages over 300 days of sunshine each year and provides anglers with some of the best fishing in Australia. Some of the most notable places to fish in Queensland include Port Douglas, Cairns, Kurrimine Beach, Yeppoon, Boyne Island, Hervey Bay, Noosa, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.

New South Wales

Heading down the East Coast a little more, you’ll run straight into the next state on our list, New South Wales. Warm, but not quite as warm as Queensland, NSW offers some fantastic fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities. Some of the best fishing locations in New South Wales include Sydney, Eden, Bermagui, Port Stephens, Merimbula, Snowy Mountains, and the Bega River.

Tasmania

Continuing our southern journey, you’ll run into the small island of Tasmania. Tasmania offers both inshore and offshore fishing, along with arguably some of the best Trout fishing in Australia. Some of the best fishing locations in Tasmania include the Tamar Estuary, St. Helens, Tasman Peninsula, Derwent River, Arthurs Lake, and the Huon River.

Western Australia

Swinging all the way to the west side of Australia sits the state of West Australia. Think hot weather, but not as tropical or humid as the Northern Territory or Queensland. Some of the best fishing locations in Western Australia include Broome, Red Bluff, Pot Alley Beach, Murchison River, Perth, Blackwood River, and the Swan River.

Fishing Seasons and Timing

Because Australia is surrounded by water, and a large percentage of the country sits in a warm climate, there isn’t a lot of off-season. When one fish isn’t biting as hard, plenty of other fish can take its place. Below, we created a table that covers some of the most popular saltwater fish in Australia and when your best opportunity to catch them is.