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Australia’s Best Boating Sites for Fishing Enthusiasts

Fishing is a hobby that the entire family can enjoy. With a rod and reel, you can immerse yourself in nature and temporarily detach yourself from the monotonous daily schedule you have. In Australia, fishing is enjoyed as a sport and recreation. Approximately 3.5 anglers do this activity every year.

Australia has abundant bodies of water like rivers, streams, lakes, bays, ocean waters, and estuaries, among many other fishing spots. Let’s explore some of the best boating sites in the country for fishing enthusiasts like you!

Port Phillip Bay

Port Phillip Bay is a popular spot for King George whiting, silver trevally, flathead, salmon, mullet, flounder, garfish, squid, and snapper. You can also catch mulloway from your boat bucket seat s in Port Phillip Bay during winter. Some good boat ramps in the area are Brighton, Mordialloc, Martha Cove, The Warmies, St Kilda Marine, Werribee River, Altona, Rye Pier, and Indented Head.

Whitsunday Islands

You can charter a yacht in Whitsunday islands and catch a variety of fish. There is no recreational license required to fish in the Whitsunday Islands. The specific areas you’re allowed to explore are the rocky edges, deep waters, and coral reefs, but anchoring in coral is strictly prohibited.

One of the best fishing spots in the area is the Shute Harbour Jetty. You can even fish in the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal Fishing Pontoon even without a boat. However, getting out on the harbor would give you better fishing opportunities.

You can catch larger species like giant kingfish and Spanish mackerel. The best time to fish mackerel is winter. If you’re after swordfish, sailfish, and blue marlin, you can come visit by summer. You can also come to the area from October to April to catch tuna.

Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay is abundant in tropical and temperate marine species. In the area, you can catch whiting, flathead, mackerel, bream, tuna, and jewfish, among many other species. There are also freshwater lakes like Lake Samsonvale and Lake Kurwongbah, where you can catch silver perch, golden perch, lungfish, eels, bass, saratoga, snub-nosed garfish, Mary River cod, catfish, and tilapia.

You can also fish at the Caboolture River and North Pine River, where you can catch a variety of freshwater and saltwater fish like bass, tarpon, mangrove jack, bream, flathead, mullet, and silver perch.

Jervis Bay

There are many fishing spots in Jervis Bay that you can visit. With a combination of beach, rock, and boat fishing, you can try to explore Currarong. Off Callala Oint rocks, you can also catch tailor and salmon.

You can catch whiting, flathead, bream, flounder, and luderick in Currumbin Creek for land-based fishing. If you’re fond of family fishing, you can also catch different species at Huskisson Wharf.

Lake Macquarie

This location is a recreational fishing haven for fishing enthusiasts. The lake’s surface area is around 110 sq m, making it Australia’s widest coastal water lake. Lake Macquarie boasts plenty of recreational fish species like dusky flathead, tailor, mulloway, squid, bream, yellowtail kingfish, sand whiting, luderick, and Australian salmon.

You can catch yellowtail kingfish with surface lures or live baits around Swansea Bridge. The Dora Creek, Cockle Creek, and Stoney Creek drain into Lake Macquarie, making it one of the best fishing destinations in Australia.

Mornington Peninsula

Dozens of piers await you in the Mornington Peninsula. Whether with a fishing charter or independently, you cast a line at Mornington Peninsula’s finest Gunnamatta, Point Leo, and Rye Back Beach.

If you want to catch gummy and school sharks, garfish, rock cod, elephant fish, flathead, and whiting, Port Phillip and Westernport bays are the places to go. Snappers are abundant all year, but the best qualities can be nabbed in warmer months.

Shark Bay

Whether you’re a shore-based or a small boat angler, Shark Bay is a must-go destination for you. You can catch flathead, bream, whiting, bluebone, stingrays, mulloway, spangled emperor, trevally, and small pink snapper, among many other fish species in Shark Bay.

According to expert anglers, the best time to fish in Shark Bay is between June and October. The temperatures are mild, and the wind is lighter during this time, making it ideal to go boat fishing.

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island’s rocky reef areas are home to many marine species, including break sea cod, pink snapper, dhufish, and Samson fish. They are primarily found in deep areas but move into shallower waters during spring and summer. If you want to go for a dive, you can also catch rock lobster in Rottnest Island.

Specific fishing spots you can explore are Wilson Bay, Strickland Bay, Fish Hook Bay, Thomson Bay, Salmon Bay, and Geordie Bay.

Final Thoughts

Australian marine life consists of over 4,000 fish species, making it known as the world’s richest marine life. It’s no surprise why many locals and tourists are interested in boat fishing. Besides the ones mentioned in this list, Australia has more fishing spots to explore. But to kick off your fishing adventure, start with one of the locations we have shared with you!