Fishing Blackwood River
Anglers targeting freshwater species in the Blackwood River catchment must hold a valid DPIRD South-West Freshwater Angling Licence. Redfin Perch are a declared noxious pest in WA and must be humanely euthanized when caught rather than returned alive to the water. Licensed fishers participate heavily in the annual summer marroning season across deep river pools using legal snares, drop nets, or scoop nets.
Land-based anglers enjoy excellent access along the Nannup foreshore parkland, Bridgetown River Park, Balingup brook junctions, and Wrights Bridge. Casting small 5g metal spinners or micro-crankbaits into deep river pools produces fast action on Redfin Perch and Black Bream. Shaded clay banks near fallen paperbark snags yield heavy catches of Freshwater Cobbler on garden worms at dusk.
Boating fishers launching kayaks, canoes, and tinnies from Nannup, Bridgetown, or Sues Bridge river launches explore remote river bends inaccessible to shore anglers. Slow-trolling deep-diving hardbody minnows or drifting live yabbies through flooded tree lines yields trophy Black Bream and Redfin. Quiet paddlecraft provide the ultimate stealthy approach for casting lures around submerged timber snags.
Landbased
- NANNUP RIVER PARK FORESHORE: Grassy riverfront parkland area in Nannup townsite, offering comfortable shore casting into deep river pools. Cast small 2-inch soft plastic grubs or micro-crankbaits around submerged paperbark roots on a gentle river flow. Early morning periods offer optimal water clarity.
- BRIDGETOWN RIVER PARK BOARDWALK: Public timber walkway and foreshore area in Bridgetown, providing peaceful fishing for Redfin and Freshwater Cobbler. Float-fish live garden worms 1 metre below a float near pylon bases. Shaded tree overhangs yield active feeding runs during warm afternoons.
- WRIGHTS BRIDGE POOL (BALINGUP ROAD): Deep river pool located near Balingup, offering fantastic casting for large Redfin Perch and Black Bream. Work small floating hardbody minnows or soft plastic paddletails along deep muddy drop-offs. Bring extra terminal tackle as submerged timber causes frequent snags.
- SUE'S BRIDGE CAMPING POOL: Deep river pool inside Blackwood River National Park, providing prime shore casting and marroning access. Cast long monofilament rigs baited with scrubworms into deep water clearings for Freshwater Cobbler at dusk. Always maintain fire safety rules in national park camping zones.
- STEWAN'S BRIDGE POOL: Secluded river pool reach west of Nannup, popular for evening bottom baiting for Freshwater Cobbler and Redfin. Rig light running sinker gear baited with fresh earthworms or yabbie tails into dark water holes. Late afternoon periods produce active feeding bites.
Offshore
- NANNUP TO BRIDGETOWN NAVIGABLE REACHES: Long river pool channels averaging 2 to 5 metres depth, ideal for kayak trolling for Redfin and Black Bream. Slow-troll small 4cm deep-diving hardbody lures 20 metres behind kayaks along overhanging paperbark lines. Electric trolling motors or paddle power ensure quiet approaches.
- SUE'S BRIDGE DEEP WATERWAYS: Deep river bend channels in Blackwood River National Park holding dense populations of Redfin Perch and Marron. Drift slowly in canoes while vertically jigging small 5g metal blades or soft plastics near submerged log jams. Polarized sunglasses help locate underwater snags.
- LOWER BLACKWOOD BREAM CHANNELS: Brackish river reaches where freshwater meets tidal estuarine flows, holding trophy Black Bream. Trolling micro-crankbaits or drifting live ghost shrimp along steep mud drop-offs produces consistent quality catches. Stealthy lure presentations are required in clear water.
- BALINGUP BROOK JUNCTION POOL: Deep river confluence pool where Balingup Brook enters the Blackwood River, holding large Redfin and Cobbler. Slow-roll soft plastic minnows around submerged rock bars and timber snags. Paddle craft allow silent access into shallow upper pools.
- BLACKWOOD MARRON RIVER POOLS: Deep shaded river pools with muddy gravel bottoms, ideal for night marroning during the open season. Drift slowly in canoes using underwater spotlights to locate marron along shallow mud banks. Strict bag and size limits apply to all harvested marron.
Hot Spots
- NANNUP RIVER PARK: Scenic town foreshore pool delivering light-tackle Redfin Perch and Black Bream.
- BRIDGETOWN BOARDWALK: Public river platform providing comfortable family fishing for Redfin and Cobbler.
- WRIGHTS BRIDGE POOL: Deep forest river pool famous for large Redfin Perch and Black Bream.
- SUE'S BRIDGE: Iconic national park river pool offering top-tier camping, fishing, and marroning.
- LOWER BLACKWOOD CHANNELS: Brackish river reaches holding trophy Black Bream on lures and live bait.
Local Bait Tips
- GARDEN EARTHWORMS: Dug from damp compost soil and garden loam in local South West properties. Store live in a ventilated container filled with moist peat moss and shredded newspaper. Threaded onto a size 4 fine-wire hook, garden worms are unbeatable for Redfin Perch and Freshwater Cobbler.
- SCRUBWORMS: Collected by hand from damp riverbank mud and leaf litter under paperbark trees after rain. Keep cool in a damp cloth bag filled with moist moss. Whole scrubworms rigged under a float or on a light running sinker represent lethal natural bait for large Black Bream and Redfin.
- LIVE CRICKETS & GRASSHOPPERS: Gathered by hand from grassy riverbank pastures during warm summer afternoons. Store in a breathable wire mesh bait cage kept in the shade. Hooked lightly through the thorax and drifted on the water surface, they trigger explosive topwater strikes.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Caught in opera-house traps or scoop nets baited with meat frames in farm dams. Store live in aerated damp buckets. Small live yabbies hooked through the tail represent prime bait for big Black Bream, Redfin, and Freshwater Cobbler.
Boat Ramps
- Nannup Foreshore Launch (Blackwood River):
Located at the Nannup foreshore parkland off Brockman Street, Nannup WA 6275. Managed by the Shire of Nannup. Features an unsealed riverbank launching area designed for canoes, kayaks, and small light tinnies accessing the Blackwood River. Ideal for non-motorized paddlecraft exploring deep river pools. Facilities feature sealed vehicle parking, public restrooms, shaded parkland, playground, and nearby town dining. Free public access.
- Bridgetown River Park Launch (Blackwood River):
Located at Bridgetown River Park off Railyard Loop, Bridgetown WA 6255. Managed by the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes. Features a timber and concrete slab launch ramp providing direct river access for kayaks, canoes, and small tinnies onto the Blackwood River. Positioned in calm river pool waters. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, wooden boardwalk, picnic tables, and caravan park access. Free public access.
- Sues Bridge Launch (Blackwood River):
Located at Sues Bridge inside Blackwood River National Park off Sues Road, Nannup WA 6275. Managed by DBCA and Shire of Nannup. Features an unsealed, sloped clay bank launch area extending into deep Blackwood River pools adjacent to the national park campground. Ideal for launching canoes, kayaks, and small tinnies drifting downstream toward Jalbaragup. Facilities include unsealed vehicle parking, public restrooms, shaded forest picnic benches, and DBCA camping amenities. Free public access.
- Jalbaragup Bridge Launch (Blackwood River):
Located off Jalbaragup Road at the Blackwood River bridge crossing, Nannup WA 6275. Managed by the Shire of Nannup. Features a steep, unsealed riverbank clearing providing direct paddlecraft access to deep, quiet river pools. Ideal for launching canoes and kayaks exploring mid-river reaches. Amenities include unsealed roadside parking. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Nannup Hardware & Tackle: 28 Warren Rd, Nannup WA 6275 - Ph: (08) 9756 1001
- Bridgetown Sports & Outdoors: 88 Hampton St, Bridgetown WA 6255 - Ph: (08) 9761 1004
- Ampol Nannup (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 1 Warren Rd, Nannup WA 6275 - Ph: (08) 9756 1122
Basecamp & Accom
- Nannup Caravan Park: 4 Brockman St, Nannup WA 6275 - Ph: (08) 9756 1211
- Bridgetown Caravan Park: 12 Railyard Loop, Bridgetown WA 6255 - Ph: (08) 9761 1900
- Blackwood River Houseboats & Cottages: 1 River Rd, Nannup WA 6275 - Ph: (08) 9756 1000
Emergency & Safety
- State Emergency Service Nannup (SES): Warren Rd, Nannup WA 6275 - Ph: 132 500 / Emergency 000 - UHF Ch 40 / Local SES 132 500
