Don’t miss these fishing hot spots in South Australia
Sick and tired of catching nothing. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Don't miss these terrific fishing hot spots around South Australia.
By Glenys Gelzinis,
July 5, 2023
Whichever direction you choose to travel along the more than 3,000 kilometres of coastline in South Australia, there are beaches and jetties where you are almost guaranteed to return with something for your fishing efforts. Don’t miss these terrific fishing hot spots around South Australia.
Head to the Yorke Peninsula for reliable fishing in South Australia
Yorkes is an extremely popular choice for Adelaidians to go for reliable fishing in South Australia. There are excellent spots for boating or wading in the shallows and great jetties which regularly produce the goods. Squid, flathead, whiting and garfish can all be caught here. If the month you’re in has an ‘r’ in it, it’s also time to net some blue swimmer crabs.
It’s only a 30-minute drive from one side of the peninsula to the other, so you can choose where to fish depending on the weather conditions. My top tips would be to try Moonta Bay, Edithburgh, Port Hughes and Stenhouse Bay in Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park.
Boaties can fish for big thumping whiting near Wardang Island off Port Victoria and at Port Vincent.
Don’t dismiss the metropolitan beaches for fishing in South Australia
Adelaide’s reasonably sheltered metro waters are generally calm for boaties. In addition, with over 20 beaches, there are plenty of boat ramps along this part of the coast. You’ll also find dozens of jetties in this region of South Australia to try your luck fishing for a feed of fish, crabs and squid.
Freshwater fishers can catch bream, salmon trout and mullet, amongst other species in West Lakes and the Onkaparinga River.
Find a jetty on the Eyre Peninsula
Another fishing haven is the Eyre Peninsula and the far west coast region of South Australia. There are well-known salmon fishing spots at Locks Well, Talia and Sheringa beaches near Elliston, and you can also catch mulloway and kingfish at various beaches along the west coast.
My picks for the most reliable jetties would be Whyalla, Streaky Bay, Fowlers Bay, Haslam and Cowell. Try Farm Beach or Coffin Bay if you’re a boaty.
Head to the Fleurieu Peninsula
South of the metropolitan beaches is the Fleurieu, where you can drive onto Goolwa Beach and try to land a big mulloway with surf fishing gear. Follow this stretch of beach for around 10 kilometres and you’ll reach the mouth of the Murray River. Fishing here in the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia can also score you salmon trout and Coorong mullet.
Parsons Beach and Waitpinga (or Waits to the locals) are also popular surf fishing spots. Try Rapid Bay, the Bluff at Victor Harbor or Second Valley Jetty for jetty fishing.
Try fishing from Australia’s longest beach on the Limestone Coast
The southeast region of the state includes the Coorong, Australia’s longest beach, which stretches for 194 kilometres. Surf fishing and beach camping is popular in this hot spot of South Australia, with salmon and mulloway being the species most sought after for the brag photos. Other popular spots are Beachport and the Glenelg River.
Robe and Beachport are big cray fishing areas, so I’d be tempted to leave it to the professionals and buy some freshly caught crayfish (lobster) in season from October to May.
Take the kids to the Mighty Murray for easy fishing in South Australia
For freshwater fishing and a great way to get kids involved in the pastime, try anywhere along the length of the Murray River in South Australia.
Unfortunately, the pest European carp are still prolific but they are exciting and easy for kids to catch. Just don’t return them to the water, as it’s against the law. Other fish you may catch are redfin or callop.
Be in the know
Fishing licences aren’t required in South Australia but size and possession limits apply to catches. All the information you need to know can be found on sign boards at all of the jetties or on the Department of Primary Industries and Regions website.
For a guide to all you need to know about fishing in South Australia, there is an SA Fishing app for recreational fishers, which can be downloaded on iPhone and Android devices.
