Carnarvon, WA

Fishing Carnarvon

Top 10 Species

Landbased

• QUOBBA HIGH ROCK CLIFFS: World-famous ocean cliff casting platform situated 75km north of Carnarvon, renowned for Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Giant Trevally. Cast heavy 50g metal casting spoons or floating poppers into deep swell washes during early morning land breezes. Extreme caution is mandatory as powerful ocean king waves wash over low rock ledges.
• PELICAN POINT FORESHORE: Sandy river-mouth point at the south end of Carnarvon foreshore, offering fantastic light-tackle fishing for Flathead, Whiting, and Threadfin Salmon. Work small soft plastic grubs or live herring along sandbar drop-offs on a flood tide. Wear wading boots to protect against stingrays in shallow muddy reaches.
• CARNARVON FASCINE BOARDWALK: Sheltered urban waterway lining the town center, providing comfortable fishing for Mangrove Jack, Black Bream, and Whiting. Cast fine monofilament lines baited with fresh prawns or live crabs near rock walls and jetty posts at dusk. Note: Channel sandbar siltation limits vessel navigation through the inlet.
• ONE MILE JETTY REMAINS: Historic timber jetty precinct located at Babbage Island, offering productive land-based casting for Tailor, Trevally, and Calamari. Work small metal lures or baited float rigs around structural remains on an incoming tide. Observe local heritage safety fencing along closed jetty sections.
• RED BLUFF SURF GUTTERS (QUOBBA): Dramatic red sandstone beach and reef zone north of Quobba, famous for big surf Tailor, Spangled Emperor, and Cobia at dusk. Cast 12-foot surf rods with 3-way patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips beyond the inner reef break. Always check swell forecasts before fishing near exposed reef platforms.

Offshore

• BERNIER & DORRE ISLANDS REEFS: Pristine twin island nature reserve sitting 28 nautical miles west of Carnarvon in 15 to 40 metres depth. Premier bottom bouncing and trolling territory for trophy Spangled Emperor, Red Emperor, Coral Trout, and Spanish Mackerel. Requires a large ocean-going vessel and detailed weather monitoring.
• GASCOYNE RIVER DELTA MANGROVES: Navigable tidal creek channels extending through the river delta, holding dense populations of Mud Crabs and Mangrove Jack. Set crab traps baited with fresh fish frames along mangrove roots during spring high tides. Slow-roll soft plastic minnows around submerged snags for territorial jack strikes.
• ONE MILE OUTSHORE BOMMIES: Submerged limestone rock reef situated 3 nautical miles off Pelican Point in 10 to 18 metres depth. Vertical jigging 120g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures triggers aggressive strikes from Golden Trevally, Samson Fish, and Spanish Mackerel. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions.
• BLOWHOLES INSHORE REEF: Shallow coral and limestone reef ledge running along the Quobba coastline in 12 to 25 metres depth. Prolific territory for drifting whole squid baits for Spangled Emperor, Goldspotted Cod, and Pink Snapper. Heavy ocean swells break over outer ledges, demanding constant skipper alertness.
• OUTER GASCOYNE TRENCH LEADS: Deep water drop-off sitting 20 nautical miles west of Carnarvon dropping from 50 to 200 metres depth. Heavy-tackle game fishing zone for trolling skirted lures for Sailfish, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Spanish Mackerel during summer. Comprehensive safety gear and dual bilge pumps are essential.

Hot Spots

• QUOBBA HIGH ROCK: World-famous ocean cliff platform delivering bucket-list Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Trevally.
• BERNIER & DORRE ISLANDS: Remote twin island ecosystem offering world-class Spangled Emperor, Coral Trout, and Red Emperor.
• GASCOYNE RIVER DELTA: Prolific mangrove waterway renowned for trophy Mud Crabs, Mangrove Jack, and Threadfin Salmon.
• CARNARVON SMALL BOAT HARBOUR: Premier modern marina providing safe deep-water ocean launch access and fish cleaning.
• PELICAN POINT: Scenic river-mouth sandbar offering top-tier light-tackle wading for Flathead and Whiting.

Local Bait Tips

• BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged wooden jetty pylons and rock walls at Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour and One Mile 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 Spangled Emperor and Silver Trevally.
• SHORE CRABS (SALLY CRABS): Collected by hand from rock crevices and granite boulders along Carnarvon harbour breakwaters and Quobba cliffs at low tide. Target small shore crabs, place them in a damp bucket with wet seaweed, and keep shaded. Rigged through the outer carapace, they represent lethal live bait for Mangrove Jack and Groper.
• LIVE HERRING & MULLET: Harvested inside the Gascoyne River mouth using cast nets or light float rigs along Pelican Point foreshore. Transfer hooked specimens immediately into an aerated livewell for use as live bait. Rigged on snelled wire hooks, live mullet trigger explosive strikes from Spanish Mackerel and Cobia.
• SOUTHERN CALAMARI & TIGER SQUID: Targeted over shallow weed-and-sand patches off Pelican Point using size 2.5 to 3.0 cloth squid jigs. Cast jigs across sand-and-weed junctions on light fluorocarbon trace and retrieve with steady lifts. Live squid rigged whole on twin snelled hooks are unmatched for targeting large Red Emperor.

Boat Ramps

• Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour Ramp:

  Located off Harbour Road and Swarbrick Street within Carnarvon Small Boat Harbour, Carnarvon WA 6701. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a modern 2-lane concrete boat launch ramp with a central floating universal access pontoon jetty. Completely protected from ocean swells by outer harbour breakwaters, providing safe launching into ocean waters and Bernier/Dorre Islands. Facilities include a vast bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, vessel wash-down taps, service wharf, marine fuel, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public access.

• Pelican Point Boat Ramp (Carnarvon):

  Located on the Babbage Island side of the Fascine foreshore near Pelican Point, Carnarvon WA 6701. Managed by the Shire of Carnarvon and DoT WA. Features a steep concrete boat launching ramp extending into tidal estuary waters. Provides convenient access to the lower Gascoyne River mouth and inner bay for light craft and tinnies. Slippery footing exists on the ramp concrete at low tide, and parking is limited to 10 vehicle-trailer bays. Facilities include unsealed parking and nearby riverfront parkland. Free public access.

• Carnarvon Fascine Boat Ramp:

  Located off West Terrace on the Fascine inlet foreshore, Carnarvon WA 6701. Managed by the Shire of Carnarvon and DoT WA. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp providing direct access to the Fascine waterway with 50 car-and-trailer parking spaces. CRITICAL NAVIGATION NOTICE: The Fascine entrance channel suffers from severe, ongoing sandbar silting and unlit navigation markers, making low-tide navigation hazardous. Facilities include sealed vehicle parking, public restrooms, and foreshore parkland. Free public access.

Bait and Tackle

• Carnarvon Tackle & Marine: 1 Ocean Dr, Carnarvon WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9941 1414
• Carnarvon Camping & Hardware: 32 Robinson St, Carnarvon WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9941 1100
• Shell Carnarvon (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 100 Robinson St, Carnarvon WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9941 1200

Basecamp & Accom

• BIG4 Carnarvon Blue Rocks Holiday Park: 10 Patrick St, Carnarvon WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9941 1400
• Carnarvon Seafront Apartments: 1 West Tce, Carnarvon WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9941 2200
• Quobba Station Homestead: Quobba Station Rd, Quobba WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9948 5001

Emergency & Safety

• Carnarvon Volunteer Sea Rescue (VMR 603): Harbour Rd, Small Boat Harbour, Carnarvon WA 6701 - Ph: (08) 9941 3616 / 0455 851 318 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)