Albany / South Coast WA Fishing — A Complete Guide
Albany + South Coast WA fishing — cool-temperate WA. Australian salmon, pink snapper, mackerel runs, gummy shark, calamari. Seasonal guide + spots.
Albany sits on WA's wild south coast with King George Sound providing sheltered access to cool-temperate Indian + Southern Ocean fishing. Australian salmon (the AU south coast specialist), pink snapper, gummy + bronze whaler sharks, calamari, and reef fish dominate. The wild Southern Ocean coast extends east to Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago.
The geography
- King George Sound (Albany): Sheltered deep-water harbour.
- Southern Ocean coast: Wild exposed coastline east + west of Albany.
- Recherche Archipelago (Esperance): 100+ islands east; remote reef fishing.
- Inland reefs: Deep reef systems within 20 km of coast.
Top species + when they bite
- Australian Salmon — Iconic WA south coast species. Surf beaches + bays. Autumn peak (Mar–May).
- Pink Snapper — King George Sound + reef structure. Year-round.
- Gummy Shark — Year-round; reliable cool-water target.
- Calamari (Squid) — Year-round on jigs.
- Yellowtail Kingfish — Summer + autumn on reef structure.
- Spanish Mackerel — Summer pulses on Leeuwin Current; less consistent than NW.
- Skippy (Silver Trevally) — Year-round on reefs + jetties.
- Mulloway — Surf beaches + estuaries.
Famous spots
- King George Sound — Sheltered harbour; year-round inshore + reef fishing.
- Salmon Holes (Torndirrup NP) — Iconic salmon surf spot.
- Cape Leeuwin Heads — Far southwest tip; salmon + bottom fish.
- The Gap (Torndirrup NP) — Wild rock fishing; salmon + bottom.
- Esperance Recherche Archipelago — Remote reef fishing; charter.
- Two People's Bay (east of Albany) — Sheltered bay; reef + bait.
Conditions to watch
Cool-temperate, exposed Southern Ocean coast. Roaring Forties weather; westerlies + southwesterlies dominant. King George Sound is sheltered enough for year-round fishing. Open coast is exposed to sustained heavy swell. Whale season + abundant marine wildlife year-round.
Reading BiteCast for Albany / South Coast WA
- SST (sea-surface temperature) — South coast WA SST 14–22°C. Salmon-band water 16–20°C.
- Subsurface temperature — Reef-edge thermal structure for snapper + bottom.
- Chlorophyll — Productivity edges + currents off the south coast.
Seasonal calendar
| Month | Primary targets | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | Snapper, kingfish, calamari, salmon | Skippy |
| Feb | Snapper, kingfish, calamari, salmon | Skippy |
| Mar | Salmon (peak start), snapper, calamari | Mulloway |
| Apr | Salmon (peak), snapper, calamari, gummy | Mulloway |
| May | Salmon (peak), snapper, gummy, calamari | Mulloway |
| Jun | Snapper, gummy, salmon | Calamari |
| Jul | Snapper, gummy, salmon | Calamari |
| Aug | Snapper, gummy, salmon | Calamari |
| Sep | Snapper, salmon, calamari | Skippy |
| Oct | Snapper, salmon, calamari, kingfish (return) | Skippy |
| Nov | Snapper, calamari, kingfish, salmon | Skippy |
| Dec | Snapper, kingfish, calamari, salmon | Skippy |
Launch ramps + amenities
- Albany Boat Ramp (Princess Royal Harbour) — Multi-lane sheltered launch.
- Emu Point — Sheltered Albany launch.
- Bremer Bay — 150 km east of Albany; sheltered bay launch.
- Esperance ramp — Esperance harbour; Recherche access.
Related
Frequently asked
When is Albany salmon season?
March through May is the iconic autumn run. Surf beaches (Salmon Holes, The Gap, Two People's Bay) produce. Metals (40–80g chrome) cast and retrieved fast at busting fish.
What are the Recherche Islands?
100+ island archipelago off Esperance (300 km east of Albany). Remote reef + bluewater fishing; charter-based for most anglers. Pristine cool-temperate fishery.
How is Albany different from Perth?
Albany is cooler-water + smaller-scale than Perth. Cool-water specialists (salmon, snapper, gummy) dominate; tropical species are rarer. Less developed charter scene but pristine fishing.