From beautiful lakes to large fast flowing rivers, small streams, estuaries, bays, and offshore fishing, South Australia is truly an angler’s paradise. It doesn’t matter if you love freshwater fishing or chasing game fish offshore. South Australia has something to offer all anglers, regardless of the experience you’re looking for.
Not only is fishing fantastic in South Australia, but the diverse range of different fish species makes every trip out on the water an adventure. However, if the fish aren’t biting, there are also plenty of other fantastic adventures awaiting you in South Australia.
In the following guide to fishing in South Australia, we’ll cover:
If you’re looking to take your Australian fishing trips or adventures to the next level with a charter fishing trip chasing Tuna or Marlin, be sure to check out our Deep Sea Fishing: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Enthusiasts, where we cover everything you’ll need to know about deep sea fishing!
The Fishbox is a premium Fishing Forecasting app that gives you access to advanced technology, including the best time to go fishing in South Australia and when you’re better off just staying at home and getting ready for your next fishing adventure!
Top South Australian Fish Species
With so many excellent fish on offer in South Australia, it’s hard to cover them all. Instead, we wanted to focus on the top species anglers target including Murray Cod, Australian Salmon, Mulloway, Pink Snapper, and Tuna. However, there are lots more available to be caught, and each fish species has its own pros and cons.
Murray Cod
In the southern part of Australia, the Murray Cod is considered by many anglers to be an iconic and once-in-a-lifetime fish. These freshwater giants, native to Australia, typically weigh in at around 10-15kg, but fish over 30kg isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Murray Cod are predators, feeding on other small fish and crustaceans, and it’s not unheard of for them to take small birds. You’ll need decent tackle, including rod and reel, if you want any chance of landing one of these wily fish.
Focus your efforts on the Murray River, including the Riverland region. Working lures, including spinnerbaits, surface lures, and hard body lures, that are close to snags and structures will be the most effective way to target Murray Cod.
Australian Salmon
Australian Salmon may get mixed reviews when it comes to their eating quality and requires a lot of attention, including bleeding, skinning, and icing, but they’re definitely prized by anglers across Australia for their hard fight, especially on light gear.
Schools of Australian Salmon will feed on bait close to shore, working themselves into a frenzy, and if you’re lucky enough to find a feeding school, you’re in for a lot of fun. You can catch Australian Salmon from the shore or in a boat, with silver spinners being the most effective way to catch them.
Mulloway
Mulloway or Jewfish are another local species that are well-known for their large size, elusive nature, and blistering runs once hooked. The average Mulloway weighs around 5-10kg, but it’s not unusual to catch one that weighs up to 30kg.
These large fish love to lurk around snags, structures, and underwater drop-offs in the bays and estuaries up and down the coast. Prime Mulloway spots include Kangaroo Island, Murray Mouth, and Coorong.
Even though they can be fussy at times, to the point of driving you crazy, once hooked, their powerful run is well worth the wait. You’ll need a lot of patience and some heavy gear if you want to land one of these monsters!
Pink Snapper
You can’t talk about the most popular fish in South Australia without talking about Pink Snapper. Not only do they put up a great fight, especially the big specimens, but they also taste fantastic!
Snapper can be caught both offshore and inshore, with the average fish weighing around 2-4kg, but it’s not unusual to hook into Snapper up to 10kg in size. Bottom fishing with baits such as Squid, Octopus, and Pilchards is the most effective method, but soft plastics are also becoming an increasingly popular way to catch these popular SA fish.
Tuna
The three main species of Tuna on offer to South Australian anglers are Southern Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and Big Eye Tuna. You’ll have to head offshore to catch Tuna, but the journey is well worth it if you manage to hook into one of these powerful fish.
Southern Bluefin Tuna is the largest of the three Tuna species, with some fish weighing over 100kg. Your arms and legs will be sore for days if you manage to hook one of these beasts. Trolling offshore is the preferred method, and if you find the bait, you’ll find the Tuna.
Best Fishing Spots in South Australia
To help make finding your next fishing location in South Australia a little easier, we’ve got some fantastic inland, coastal, and offshore fishing locations below.
South Australian Inland Fishing Locations
It doesn’t matter if you’re chasing Murray Cod, Brown and Rainbow Trout, or Callop. South Australia’s beautiful inland rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs have them all.
- The Murray River – The Murray River stretches for over two and half thousand kilometers and is packed with Murray Cod, Perch, Catfish, Redfin, Bream, and Trout.
- Warren Reservoir – Close to Williamstown, Warren Reservoir is a popular destination for freshwater anglers targeting Trout, Silver Perch, Murray Cod, and Callop.
- Lake Eyre and Lake Torrens – Not typically filled with water, when these lakes are flooded, fish from local streams and rivers flood in with the water making them a rare fishing destination.
- Manning Waters – These calm backwaters on the Murray River are well-known for their Callop and Redfin stocks. It’s a family-friendly fishing destination with fishing platforms and decks.
South Australian Beach and Coastal Fishing Locations
For anglers that are limited to shore-based fishing, we haven’t forgotten you. South Australia offers over 3,800km of coastline to explore, including beaches, bays, estuaries, and rocky outcrops.
- Kangaroo Island – Ocean Beach on Kangaroo Island is the perfect place to take advantage of the annual Australian Salmon run and also catch some Pink Snapper.
- Henley and Brighton Beach – Closer to Adelaide, Henley and Brighton Beach are prime fishing for Bream, Australian Salmon, and much more.
- Eyre Peninsula – The Eyre Peninsula is a prime location in SA for King George Whiting, Gummy Shark, Australian Salmon, and many other exciting fish, as well as Scallops and the famous Rock Lobster.
South Australian Offshore Fishing Locations
For those chasing after big fish, offshore in the deep water is where you’ll be heading!
- Cape Jervis – This gateway to prime offshore fishing is the perfect place to go if you’re targeting Southern Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Snapper, and Sharks.
- Venus Bay – Venus Bay is a protected bay area that opens up into some deep water, making it the perfect place to target roaming Sharks and Tuna.
- Neptune Islands – Located offshore, the Neptune Islands are the perfect place to target large Mako Sharks, Big Eye Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and many other offshore species.
Beach and Land-Based Fishing
With thousands of kilometers of coastline, there are almost too many different locations to go fishing in South Australia, but who are we kidding? Too many fishing spots are never a problem an avid angler would complain about.
You can fish from one of the many sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, or sheltered coastal bays. Popular species to target along South Australia’s coastline include Bream, Australian Salmon, Mulloway, Flathead, Tailor, and Snapper.
If you’re planning on fishing from the beach, a beach or surf rod is highly recommended. The added length and weight allow you to cast heavy sinkers out over the breaking waves and elevate your line out of the surf. Effective baits include Prawns, Mussels, Squid, Sandworms, and Pilchards. Spinning silver lures from the beach is also an effective way to catch cruising Australian Salmon and Tailor.
Fishing from the rocks can give anglers access to a variety of different species, but it comes with its own dangers and risks. You should never fish alone from the rocks, and wearing a personal inflation device or life jacket is recommended. Rock fishing offers anglers the opportunity to catch Sharks, Australian Salmon, Yellowtail Kingfish, Snapper, and many more.
Boat and Kayak Fishing
Just because you don’t have a large boat doesn’t mean you can’t get off the beach. With lots of close inshore waters, which are relatively sheltered, kayak and canoe angling in South Australia is becoming increasingly popular.
Kayaking allows anglers to move from location to location relatively easily, quickly launching a kayak and getting off the beach or shoreline and out into deeper water. You’d be surprised at how different fishing can be, even just a few hundred meters off the beach or shoreline.
Regardless of whether you’re fishing from a kayak or a small dinghy, you have several different fishing techniques available to you. You can fish the bottom, trawl lures, flyfish, jig, or spin lures. Soft plastics along the bottom work well on species like Flathead and Snapper, while live bait floated down are irresistible to Australian Salmon, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Tailor.
If you have the opportunity to go out fishing in a boat with someone more experienced, take advantage of it. When you first start fishing, especially if it’s your first boat, taking a few trips with a more experienced operator is a great way to learn how to navigate your local area, handle your boat, and find some great fishing spots to get you started. Regardless of whether you’re fishing from a kayak or small boat, please ensure you have a life jacket, water, food, first aid kit, and a means to contact someone, such as a phone or radio, should you run into any difficulties.
Read also: Best Kayak Fishing Tips: Expert Advice
Deep Sea Fishing
Now, not everyone has a boat capable of heading offshore, but if you do, then the deep waters surrounding South Australia are genuinely going to be your oyster! The deep waters surrounding the coastline of SA are teeming with large pelagic species, including Southern Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Mako Sharks, Marlin, and many more. However, getting offshore isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially if you don’t have your own boat.
The next best way to get offshore and experience the fantastic fishing along the Continental Shelf is on a charter boat. A charter boat, while expensive at times, is still a lot cheaper than buying and maintaining your own offshore-capable boat, and you’re not just paying for a trip out to the deep blue sea.
No, when you go offshore fishing with a reputable fishing charter, you’re paying for the experience. Your captain will know the best fishing spots, which fish to expect during different seasons, what fish are actively running and biting, and most importantly, the best way to catch them.
If you’re fishing on the bottom-dwelling species offshore, baits and jigging are the most effective methods, but the most popular thing to do offshore is, and always will be, trolling for large cruising fish such as Tuna, Marlin, and Swordfish.
Be warned, offshore fishing isn’t for everyone. It can be a lot of physical work reeling in these large species, and you’ll quickly discover muscles you didn’t know existed, thanks to how sore they get. Then there’s the sea sickness. A quick trip offshore will quickly highlight if you suffer from seasickness. Take seasickness tablets, drink lots of water, get a lot of fresh air, and focus on the horizon, not on your feet.
Read also: Deep Sea Fishing: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Enthusiasts
Fishing Regulations in South Australia
We would be remiss not to talk about South Australia’s fishing rules and regulations, including fishing license requirements. For most anglers, a fishing license in South Australia won’t be an issue unless they’re planning on fishing in specific freshwater bodies and reservoirs. These reservoirs and bodies of water are managed by the South Australia Water or National Parks Department. However, regardless of how familiar you are with the local fishery rules and regulations, it doesn’t pay to check in with South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions website for any new updates or changes.
Various fresh and saltwater fish species have size, season, and bag limits, so before you go fishing, please ensure that your target species is in season, you’re aware of size and bag limits, and have an accurate measuring device with you to measure any fish. You can check all South Australian seasons, sizes, and bag limits on their website here.
Recreational fishing limits in South Australia apply for a 24-hour period, which runs from midnight to midnight.
Certain fish species in South Australia are considered pests and there are handling rules in place for these species. European Carp is considered to be an invasive pest, and anglers who catch one of these fish are required by law to humanely dispose of these fish and not return them or their remains to the water.
Fishing Seasons in South Australia
In Australia, including South Australia, anglers are blessed with the opportunity to fish almost year-round, with only the weather spoiling a good day out on the water. However, that being said, certain times of the year are typically more productive than others for most fish species, so knowing when your target species is most active and when you have the best chance of catching them will help you plan the perfect angling adventure.
Below, we’ll do a season-by-season, which covers specific areas and species in South Australia to help you plan your dream angling adventures.
Summer Fishing In South Australia
Running December to February, summer in Adelaide can be impressively hot, but that won’t impact the fishing action. The warm currents bring large pelagic species closer to shore, including Southern Bluefin Tuna. Waters around the Eyre Peninsula and Port Lincoln can be very productive. However, the summer action doesn’t end there! There are also some fantastic Yellowtail Kingfish close inshore. Try around structures such as bridges and rocky headlands, and the inshore bays are filled with Flathead, Snapper, and Whiting.
Autumn Fishing In South Australia
March through May, and the fishing is only winding up to its peak in SA. Large schools of Australian Salmon can be found near the beach chasing baitfish, and the Murray River’s upper reaches are productive, with Murray Cod and Golden Perch the prime target species. Closer to shore in the bays and estuaries, you’ll find the usual suspects, including Bream, King George Whiting, Flathead, and Snapper.
Winter Fishing In South Australia
From June through August, we will see the Riverland region along with the inland waters, which will still produce fantastic fishing in winter, with Murray Cod and Callop being the target species. Offshore weather in winter will often be the deciding factor for most fishing trips, but inshore table fish such as Flathead and late season Salmon will still be productive.
Spring Fishing In South Australia
The warm water and weather are starting to creep back in as spring rolls into South Australia in September, and along with those warm currents come some fantastic game fish like Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna. They’re not the only Tuna lurking off the coast, though, with Southern Bluefin Tuna still turning up to strike at trolled lures. For those preferring to stick a little closer to shore, the inshore waters teem with Squid, Snapper, and Whiting ready to be caught, cleaned, and eaten for dinner!
Fishing in South Australia: The Ultimate Guide to Species and Spots | Conclusion
South Australia has a wealth of fishing opportunities to offer anglers, and thanks to our South Australian fishing guide, you’ll know exactly where to start and the best species to target. With some of the most beautiful coastlines in Australia, there’s no denying that South Australia is one location you can’t afford to fish!
South Australia offers pristine, abundant, and diverse fisheries, but it’s up to us as responsible anglers to ensure they stay that way. As a responsible angler, it’s our responsibility to ensure we purchase the correct fishing license where appropriate, follow season, size, and bag limits, take just what we need, and leave the areas we fish in as clean, if not cleaner than how we found them. We can all do our part to ensure that future generations of anglers get to enjoy the same fantastic fishing opportunities in South Australia that we enjoy today.
Before you start your South Australian fishing trip, be sure to download the premium fish forecasting application Fishbox. It will put you in the perfect position to catch some great fish by analyzing local weather and water conditions along with input from local anglers. The Fishbox App utilizes accurate weather, tide, and fishing conditions to predict the best time to get out on the water to catch your target species.
Do you have some top fishing spots in South Australia or advice you’d like to share with other new anglers? Drop a comment below! We love hearing your thoughts and feedback, and we’re sure new anglers will appreciate it.
