Protected species
Some species are protected in Western Australia and cannot be taken in certain or all circumstances.
Visit the Protected species pageHow are recreational fishing rules set?
Recreational fishing rules are based on ongoing research and monitoring of WA's fish and aquatic resources. The community and peak bodies such as Recfishwest are consulted when new rules are developed. This helps ensure that rule changes meet both the needs of fish stock sustainability as well as the needs and expectations of the community.
Recreational fishing rules help maintain the fantastic recreational fishing opportunities on offer in WA. They also ensure sustainable fishing practices and fish stocks are maintained for generations to come.
New recreational fishing rules
Anglers fishing for freshwater fish (including brown and rainbow trout, freshwater cobbler and redfin perch) from the shore may now use up to 2 fishing rods and lines or single handheld lines.
For the 2024/25 season, Roe’s abalone fishing is open from Moore River to Greenough River Mouth as part of the West Coast Zone open season.
Recreational fishing for greenlip abalone has been closed since October 2023 in the area from Busselton Jetty to Shoal Cape (Zone 3). Commercial fishing for greenlip abalone is also prohibited in the same area.
Cockburn Sound blue swimmer crab
From 1 December 2024, recreational fishers will be permitted to take blue swimmer crab in Cockburn Sound during the season. This is the result of a new stock assessment which indicates that the stock can support a low level of recreational catch.
Between 1 December and 31 August of the following year, a daily bag limit of 5 crabs applies throughout Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage, with a boat limit of 20 crabs where four or more Recreational Fishing Boat Licence holders are on board.
While a low level of fishing is now sustainable, crab numbers have not returned to levels seen in the 2000s. This is because the productivity within the Sound decreased after measures to improve water quality were implemented. Because of this lower abundance, the fishery is reopening to recreational fishers only, with a reduced daily bag limit of 5 crabs to ensure the available catch is shared amongst fishers and supports a quality fishing experience.
From 1 October 2024, fishing with wire trace is prohibited within 800 m from shore at all metropolitan beaches, the Swan-Canning Estuary, the Busselton Jetty and foreshore, and the Esperance Jetty.
The Prohibition on Fishing (Wire Trace) Order 2024 includes:
- All Perth metropolitan beaches (within 800 m from shore) from Tim’s Thicket Beach to 5 kilometres north of Two Rocks and all waters of the Swan-Canning Estuary.
- The Busselton Jetty (400 m either side of the jetty) and all nearshore waters (within 800 m from shore) along the Busselton foreshore (between the Vasse Diversion Drain and the Georgette Street Boat Ramp).
- The Esperance Jetty and all nearshore waters (within 800 m from shore) 200 m either side of the jetty.
The revised restrictions complement the existing statewide prohibition on the use of mammal and bird products as berley, such as blood and offal.
The new rules have been put in place following ongoing community concerns around recreational shark fishing.
From 1 March 2024, the taking of southern garfish in Perth metropolitan waters is permitted. This is a result of 7 years of reduced fishing pressure which has helped boost southern garfish stocks. A daily bag limit of 30 applies for the garfish group.
From 1 February 2023, recreational fishing for demersal species in the West Coast bioregion has undergone changes to boost the recovery of demersal scalefish stocks.
Catching demersal scalefish from a boat is now prohibited from the following dates:
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Dates prohibited catching demersal scalefish from a boat: |
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1 February to 31 March (inclusive) |
1 August to 15 September |
15 October to 15 December (inclusive) |
These measures do not apply to land based recreational line fishers, who can fish all year round.
Additional rules apply to recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast bioregion.
Pay an infringement fine
If you have received an infringement notice, you can pay the fine here.
Pay the fine-
Recreational fishing calendarpdf (628 KB)
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Recreational fishing guidepdf (8.43 MB)
Select the bioregion you're fishing in to find out the latest rules.
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Rec fishing rules in the North Coast bioregion.View more about North Coast bioregion -
Rec fishing rules in the Gascoyne Coast bioregion.View more about Gascoyne Coast bioregion -
Rec fishing rules in the West Coast bioregion.View more about West Coast bioregion -
Rec fishing rules in the South Coast bioregion.View more about South Coast bioregion