Yorke Peninsula Fishing and Boating
Go fishing
Most people travel to the Yorke Peninsula to go fishing. Why not?
Catching a fish is a simple matter of casting a line off the local jetty. Even the most inexperienced fisherman can take home a deliciously fresh catch of King George whiting, garfish or tommy ruff (Australian herring).
Beach fishing is worth a try, with popular catches including mullet, snook, flathead, Australian salmon and salmon trout.
It's not just fish. Black squid ink stains many jetties in the area. Delicious calamari lurks in the waters below. Between September and April, the shallow waters between Ardrossan and Stansbury are home to blue swimmer crabs.
Great fishing and crabbing
Blue swimmer crabs also live along the north west coast near Port Hughes, Moonta Bay, Wallaroo and Port Broughton. You just need a rake to find them.
Head to the bottom of the “foot”. It's just a 3 hour drive from Adelaide. The southern beaches near Marion Bay feature some of the best fishing in South Australia. Large mulloway (up to 36 kilograms) lurk here, as well as school sharks and gummy sharks to reward night fishers.
Head offshore
If you like a faster pace, bring your boat or hire one. Boat ramps are dotted around the coast, from right at the top at Port Wakefield, all the way down to Marion Bay and back up the other side to Port Broughton.
There are also two marinas, Port Vincent and Wallaroo. Some of the best fishing locations are out in deeper water. You can find kingfish, nannygai, snapper, morwong, harlequin, trevally and mulloway.
Boat charters
No boat? No problem! Local fishing charters operate from various spots off the coast. These offer the added bonus of taking you right to where the fish are, saving time, effort and money. Take a group of friends or your family for a great day out on the water.
Fish responsibly
It is important to remember that bag, boat and size catch limits apply to most species of fish and seafood caught in South Australian water. Some fish also have closed seasons and others are completely protected. The limits vary, so it is important to make sure you are well aware of what you can catch and how much of it you can take home.
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia look after all of the fishing regulations and the fish stocks. Their website is full of information for recreational fishers, including the all important boat and bag limits and fish sizes. They'll even send you a ruler to measure your catch!
Grab a fishing guide
The Yorke Peninsula Fishing Guide (5.32mb) is a must read if you're planning a fishing trip in the area. It has you covered from start to finish. It also lists where to get bait and tackle, the best marine services and even boat hire locations. There's information on the hottest fishing spots along the coast and offshore. The best news? It's free!
Things to do
Here are some great ideas for you to try while you’re in the area.
What's on
There are plenty of events on in the Yorke Peninsula. Here are some ideas you might like.
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