Fishing Bunbury
Fisheries management across Bunbury strictly enforces DPIRD regulations, including the active West Coast Demersal Scalefish boat-based closure extending from Kalbarri down to Augusta through September 2027. Shore-based anglers are exempt from this boat closure and can legally target demersal species like Pink Snapper from the outer breakwalls. Adhering to bag limits for Southern Calamari, King George Whiting, and Blue Swimmer Crabs safeguards local marine ecosystems.
Land-based anglers enjoy excellent infrastructure along the Casuarina Boat Harbour breakwall, Koombana Bay foreshore, and the Cut. Casting heavy patternoster rigs or metal lures off Casuarina Breakwall produces heavy Pink Snapper during stormy winter weather and giant Australian Salmon during autumn. The tidal waters of The Cut yield bucketfuls of King George Whiting, Silver Trevally, and Herring on light tackle.
Boating fishers launching from Casuarina Boat Harbour or Powerhouse Ramp gain direct access to Koombana Bay and offshore ocean grounds. Drifting the shallow sandflats inside Leschenault Estuary produces consistent runs of Blue Swimmer Crabs, Flathead, and Black Bream. Offshore craft targeting deep limestone reef ledges in 20 to 40 metres depth target Samson Fish, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Southern Rock Lobster.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- CASUARINA BREAKWALL: Massive granite rock wall protecting Casuarina Boat Harbour, offering deep-water access for Pink Snapper and Australian Salmon. Cast long-distance patternoster rigs baited with whole squid or pilchards into ocean waters on a rising tide. Sturdy footwear with rubber soles is essential when negotiating large granite boulders along the seawall.
- THE CUT (LESCHENAULT ESTUARY ENTRANCE): High-energy tidal channel connecting Leschenault Estuary to the ocean, famous for King George Whiting and Silver Trevally. Cast light running sinker rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp or tube worms into deep channel currents on a turning tide. Night fishing yields steady strikes from Southern Calamari using size 2.5 squid jigs.
- KOOMBANA BAY FORESHORE: Sheltered sandy beach in the heart of Bunbury, offering comfortable light-tackle fishing for Herring, Whiting, and Flathead. Fan-cast small soft plastic grubs or baited patternoster rigs along sandbar drop-offs during early morning low-wind windows. Calm shallow waters make this an ideal spot for family anglers and wading casters.
- POWERHOUSE JETTY & FORESHORE: Historic timber platform area near the Powerhouse ramp offering prime access to Black Bream and Tarwhine. Work small soft plastics or baited hooks slowly around submerged timber pylons and rock edges. Stealthy lure presentations are necessary in clear water around the jetty structure.
- BELVIDERE BEACH SURF GUTTERS: Remote surf beach located north of Bunbury inside Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, accessible via 4WD. Outstanding location for targeting Gummy Sharks, Tailor, and Australian Salmon in deep ocean gutters at dusk. Maintain caution regarding soft sand tracks and changing tide heights along the beach.
Offshore
- BUNBURY OUTER LIMESTONE REEFS: Extensive limestone reef system sitting 5 to 10 nautical miles offshore in 20 to 35 metres depth. Prolific bottom fishing territory for drifting light tackle rigs for King George Whiting, Tarwhine, and setting crayfish pots for Southern Rock Lobster. Monitor weather forecasts closely as sea breezes generate steep chop on return runs.
- LESCHENAULT ESTUARY CENTRAL BASIN: Shallow estuarine lagoon averaging 1.5 to 3 metres depth, holding abundant Black Bream, Flathead, and Blue Swimmer Crabs. Trolling small micro-crankbaits or drifting scoop nets and drop nets produces consistent catches during warmer months. Electric trolling motors ensure silent approaches across shallow sandflats.
- KOOMBANA BAY SHIPPING CHANNEL: Dredged navigation channel leading into Bunbury Port, holding schools of Silver Trevally, Flathead, and Pink Snapper. Drift small metal jigs or baited rigs along the steep channel slopes on an incoming tide. High commercial vessel traffic requires strict adherence to harbour navigation boundaries.
- FIVE MILE REEF BOMMIES: Prominent underwater rock structure located 5 nautical miles southwest of Casuarina Harbour in 18 metres depth. Vertical jigging 150g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures triggers aggressive strikes from Samson Fish and Yellowtail Kingfish. Anchor upwind and establish a continuous berley trail to raise pelagics into the upper water column.
- COLLIE RIVER ESTUARY MOUTH: Navigable river junction entering Leschenault Estuary, offering premier Black Bream habitat. Cast floating hardbody lures under overhanging tea-tree branches and slow-roll them past submerged timber snags. Light 4lb to 6lb fluorocarbon leaders are required to hook wary bream in shallow river reaches.
Hot Spots
- CASUARINA BREAKWALL: Premier ocean granite seawall yielding trophy Pink Snapper, Australian Salmon, and Calamari.
- THE CUT: Iconic tidal channel providing high-action casting for King George Whiting, Trevally, and Herring.
- LESCHENAULT ESTUARY: Expansive estuarine lagoon renowned for Blue Swimmer Crabs, Black Bream, and Flathead.
- KOOMBANA BAY FORESHORE: Sheltered urban beach offering top-tier light-tackle family fishing for Whiting and Herring.
- POWERHOUSE RAMP PRECINCT: Historic harbour zone providing easy boat launching and land-based bream access.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats inside Leschenault Estuary near Australind. Position the pump over visible air holes in damp sand, pull the plunger rapidly, and empty sediment into a sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper with estuary water to ensure high vitality on the hook.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged granite boulders and timber pylons around Casuarina Boat Harbour and Powerhouse jetty at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a heavy putty knife and collect into a bucket lined with damp kelp. Fresh crushed mussels represent lethal bait for King George Whiting and Black Bream.
- SEA WORMS: Extracted from damp estuarine sandflats along the lower Collie River and Leschenault Estuary banks at low tide using a flat garden fork. Carefully turn over muddy sand near weed margins and gather live worms into shallow sand buckets. Store away from heat to maintain natural wriggling action.
- LIVE CRABS: Collected by hand from rock crevices and under granite stones along Casuarina breakwall at low tide. Target small shore crabs, place them in a damp bucket with wet seaweed, and keep shaded. Rigged through the outer edge of the carapace, they represent unbeatable live bait for large Black Bream around snags.
Boat Ramps
- Casuarina Boat Harbour Ramp (Bunbury):
Located inside Casuarina Boat Harbour off Casuarina Drive, Bunbury WA 6230. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a premier 4-lane concrete boat launch ramp with dual floating universal access pontoon jetties. Protected by the massive Casuarina granite breakwall, providing safe deep-water access directly into Koombana Bay and offshore limestone reefs. Amenities feature vast bitumen car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning tables, wash-down facilities, service wharf, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public access.
- Lyons Cove Boat Ramp (Bunbury):
Located off Lyons Cove on the Preston River foreshore in East Bunbury WA 6230. Managed by the City of Bunbury and Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a major primary launching facility with 5 wide concrete ramp lanes equipped with central floating finger jetties. Offers deep-water access into the Preston River, Leschenault Inlet, and Koombana Bay for all vessel sizes. Facilities include an expansive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public toilets, fish cleaning bench, vessel wash-down taps, and night lighting. Free public access.
- Powerhouse Boat Ramp (Bunbury):
Situated at the end of Powerhouse Road on the inner harbour foreshore, Bunbury WA 6230. Managed by the City of Bunbury. Features a dual-lane concrete ramp with a central timber finger jetty. Provides calm water launching into the Leschenault Estuary channel and Koombana Bay. Ideal for light to mid-sized boats targeting Bream, Whiting, and Crabs. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public toilets, fish cleaning bench, and parkland lighting. Free public access.
- Australind Boat Ramp (Leschenault Estuary):
Located off The Esplanade at Australind on the eastern foreshore of Leschenault Estuary, Australind WA 6233. Managed by the Shire of Harvey. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp with a central timber boarding jetty. Positioned in shallow estuarine waters, this is the primary launching facility for crabbing boats, tinnies, and kayaks targeting Leschenault Estuary. Low tide conditions create shallow draft dependencies across sandflats. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking, public toilets, fish cleaning table, shaded playground, and barbecue facilities. Free public access.
- Eaton Foreshore Boat Ramp (Collie River):
Located off Pratt Road on the Eaton foreshore along the Collie River, Eaton WA 6232. Managed by the Shire of Dardanup and DoT WA. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp with a floating boarding pontoon. Positioned in protected river waters, providing effortless launching into the Collie River and upper Leschenault Estuary for Black Bream and Flathead fishing. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, shaded picnic tables, playground, and fish cleaning bench. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Compleat Angler Bunbury: 1 Layout Rd, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9791 2244
- BCF Bunbury: 12 Spencer St, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9751 5200
- Bunbury Tackle & Outdoor: 42 Sandridge Rd, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9721 3344
- Caltex Bunbury (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 102 Blair St, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9721 2100
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Bunbury Riverside Holiday Park: 8 Elizabeth St, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9721 3800
- Discovery Parks - Bunbury Foreshore: 2 Koombana Dr, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9721 2103
- Bunbury Hotel Koombana Bay: 1 Transit Way, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9792 6888
Emergency & Safety
- Bunbury Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 611): Casuarina Dr, Casuarina Boat Harbour, Bunbury WA 6230 - Ph: (08) 9721 2611 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
