Fishing Mandurah
Fisheries management across Mandurah strictly enforces DPIRD regulations, including the annual Peel-Harvey Blue Swimmer Crab closure from 1 September to 30 November to protect breeding stocks. Boat-based fishers heading into ocean waters must observe the West Coast Demersal Scalefish closure running through September 2027, though shore-based anglers remain exempt and can legally target demersal species from land. Adhering to bag limits and size minimums ensures the estuary remains a sustainable nursery for future generations.
Land-based anglers enjoy world-class access along the rock walls of the Dawesville Cut, Mandurah Town Bridge jetties, and ocean beaches from San Remo to Tim's Thicket. Casting heavy 40g metal lures into the rushing tides of Dawesville Cut triggers explosive strikes from giant Australian Salmon, Herring, and King George Whiting. The sheltered timber jetties along the Mandurah Boardwalk yield bucketfuls of Silver Trevally, Black Bream, and Southern Calamari on light tackle.
Boating fishers launching from Dawesville Cut, Mary Street, or East Port Marina access diverse estuarine and marine environments within minutes. Drifting the shallow sandflats of Peel Inlet produces high-volume catches of Blue Swimmer Crabs using drop nets or scoops during summer. Offshore craft heading beyond the Hall Bank reef system troll for Samson Fish, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Southern Rock Lobster in 20 to 40 metres depth.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- DAWESVILLE CUT ROCK WALLS: High-volume man-made channel connecting Peel Inlet to the Indian Ocean, offering world-class land-based casting. Cast 30g to 50g metal casting spoons into rushing tidal currents on an incoming tide for Australian Salmon, Tailor, and Herring. Heavy current requires 2oz to 3oz sinkers when drift-baiting whole pilchards along channel ledges.
- MANDURAH TOWN BRIDGE JETTIES: Public timber jetties lining the inner Mandurah channel, offering comfortable light-tackle fishing for Black Bream and Silver Trevally. Work small soft plastic grubs or baited running sinker rigs slowly around wooden pylons during early morning flood tides. Late afternoon periods yield steady strikes from Southern Calamari using size 2.5 squid jigs.
- SAN REMO BEACH SURF GUTTERS: Open ocean beach located north of Mandurah, famous for autumn Australian Salmon and summer Tailor runs. Cast heavy 12-foot surf rods with 3-way patternoster rigs baited with fresh pilchard blocks into deep blue gutters at dusk. Maintain caution regarding rising tides and soft sand conditions along the beach track.
- MURRAY RIVER MOUTH FORESHORE: Peaceful river junction entering the Peel Inlet at Yunderup, providing exceptional land-based Black Bream habitat. Cast floating micro-crankbaits or live ghost shrimp under overhanging tea-tree roots and around boat jetties. Clear brackish water requires stealth and light 4lb to 6lb fluorocarbon leaders.
- TIMS THICKET 4WD BEACH: Rugged ocean beach south of Dawesville accessible via 4WD, renowned for big surf Tailor, Gummy Sharks, and Whiting. Rig heavy patternoster gear baited with fresh squid strips or local pilchards into dark water holes at sunset. Always deflate tyre pressure before accessing soft sand tracks leading to the beach.
Offshore
- HALL BANK REEF SYSTEM: Inshore limestone reef structure sitting 3 nautical miles off Mandurah in 12 to 18 metres depth. Outstanding territory for setting crayfish pots for Southern Rock Lobster and drifting light tackle rigs for King George Whiting. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions before afternoon sea breezes chop up the ocean.
- PEEL-HARVEY ESTUARY CENTRAL BASIN: Vast shallow estuarine basin averaging 1.5 to 2.5 metres depth, holding abundant Blue Swimmer Crabs, Flathead, and Black Bream. Set arrays of crab drop nets baited with fresh fish frames across muddy basin floors during summer months. Electric trolling motors ensure silent approaches across weed beds.
- DAWESVILLE CUT OCEAN ENTRANCE LEADS: Deep ocean channel mouth where the Cut meets the Indian Ocean, holding heavy schools of Samson Fish and Silver Trevally. Slow-trolling small deep-diving minnows or drifting live yellowtail along the outer breakwall edge yields heavy strikes. High boat traffic requires strict adherence to channel navigation rules.
- MURRAY RIVER DEEP REACHES: Navigable river channel extending upstream toward Pinjarra, offering trophy Black Bream sportfishing. Slow-roll small hardbody lures or pitch soft plastic crayfish imitations around submerged timber snags and river bends. Paddle craft or electric tinnies allow silent access into shallow upper pools.
- FIVE MILE OCEAN BOMMIES: Outer limestone reef structures located 5 nautical miles west of Mandurah in 25 to 35 metres depth. Prolific territory for vertical jigging heavy metal knife jigs or surface poppers for Samson Fish and Yellowtail Kingfish. Observe active demersal closure rules while fishing over deep reef structures.
Hot Spots
- DAWESVILLE CUT: World-famous artificial channel producing giant Australian Salmon, Tailor, Trevally, and Calamari.
- PEEL-HARVEY ESTUARY: Vast shallow water system world-renowned for Blue Swimmer Crabs, Flathead, and Black Bream.
- MANDURAH BOARDWALK JETTIES: Sheltered inner-city platform offering top-tier Black Bream, Trevally, and Squid.
- HALL BANK REEF: Prolific inshore limestone reef network holding Southern Rock Lobster, Whiting, and Kingfish.
- MURRAY RIVER ESTUARY: Scenic freshwater-meets-saltwater river system famous for trophy Black Bream.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a stainless-steel yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats inside Peel Inlet near Coodanup and Novara foreshore. Target visible air holes in damp sand, pump rapidly, and discharge into a floating mesh sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper with a splash of estuary water to maintain liveliness.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged wooden jetty pylons and rock walls around Mandurah Town Bridge and Dawesville Cut at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a heavy putty knife and collect into a bucket lined with damp kelp. Fresh mussels crushed lightly before rigging are unbeatable for Black Bream and King George Whiting.
- SEA WORMS: Uncovered by hand-forking through damp intertidal mud and sand along lower Murray River banks at spring low tide. Carefully turn over moist sediment near weed beds using a garden fork and gather worms into containers of damp sand. Keep shaded from direct sunlight to preserve natural wriggling movement on the hook.
- LIVE CRABS: Collected by hand from rock crevices and under stones along Dawesville Cut breakwalls 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 lethal live bait for large Black Bream around snags.
Boat Ramps
- Dawesville Cut Boat Ramp (Mandurah):
Located at the southern entrance of Dawesville Cut off Southport Boulevard, Dawesville WA 6210. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) Western Australia and City of Mandurah. Features a 4-lane concrete boat ramp equipped with dual central floating universal access pontoon jetties. Highly sheltered inside the man-made cut entrance, providing direct launch access to both the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the Indian Ocean. Facilities include a vast bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, stainless-steel fish cleaning tables with fresh water, vessel wash-down bays, night lighting, and CCTV monitoring. Free public access.
- Mary Street Boat Ramp (Mandurah Foreshore):
Located on Mary Street at Halls Head on the western shore of the Mandurah estuarine channel, Mandurah WA 6210. Managed by the City of Mandurah. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp with a central floating finger pontoon jetty. Positioned in calm, protected waters, offering effortless launching into the Peel Inlet for tinnies, crabbing craft, and sportsboats. Shallow sandbar channels require careful navigation during spring low tides. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking bays, public toilets, fish cleaning bench, shaded parkland, and nearby café precinct. Free public access.
- Port Bouvard Marina Boat Ramp (Dawesville):
Located off Reef Dragon Way at Port Bouvard Marina, Dawesville WA 6210. Managed by Port Bouvard Marina and DoT WA. Features a state-of-the-art 4-lane concrete boat ramp with central floating boarding pontoon jetties. Offers total shelter from ocean weather within the Dawesville Cut canal entrance, providing effortless launching into the Peel-Harvey Estuary and Indian Ocean. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public toilets, fish cleaning station, marine fuel jetty, slipway services, and cafe. Note: Ramp usage requires a paid daily launch fee or annual permit collected at the marina office.
- Ravenswood Murray River Boat Ramp:
Located off Pinjarra Road at Ravenswood on the northern bank of the Murray River, Ravenswood WA 6208. Managed by the Shire of Murray and DoT WA. Features a dual-lane concrete slab boat ramp with an adjacent floating boarding pontoon jetty. Provides tranquil river launching directly into the Murray River for Black Bream, Flathead, and crabbing trips into Peel Inlet. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public toilets, fish cleaning bench, adjacent hotel, and parkland picnic tables. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Mandurah Boat & Tackle: 14 Boundary Rd, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9535 6444
- Compleat Angler Mandurah: 3/1 Eastern Rd, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9581 1100
- BCF Mandurah: 1 Read St, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9581 8300
- 7-Eleven Mandurah (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 110 Pinjarra Rd, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9535 1200
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Mandurah Holiday Park: 522 Pinjarra Rd, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9535 1196
- Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets: 11 The Esplanade, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9535 8899
- Coodanup Caravan Park: 122 Coodanup Dr, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9535 2217
Emergency & Safety
- Mandurah Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 613): 2 Breakwater Pde, Mandurah WA 6210 - Ph: (08) 9535 5219 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
