The Causeway (Swan River)

The Causeway carries traffic across the Swan at the city's eastern edge, and it does so in two spans divided by Heirisson Island — an artificial island reclaimed from six smaller ones by the 1940s and now a City of Perth reserve. That layout hands land-based anglers two sets of bridge pylons plus the whole ring of island foreshore to work, which is why it turns up on every Perth shore-bream shortlist alongside the Narrows and Canning Bridge. Black bream hold on the timber and stone structure year-round, and the shallow banks and pylon shadow lines let you fish lures, bait or even a fly without a boat. It is an after-work session at the edge of the CBD rather than an expedition.

Work the pylon lines and the current seams rather than the open channel — bream sit tight to the structure and the island's rock and timber edges and move with the tide. Flick lightly weighted soft plastics or small hardbodies up-current of a pylon and let them wash back past it, or soak a prawn or fresh river bait on a light running sinker from the banks. The shallow flats around the island suit a fly on a quiet approach, one of the few metro spots where that is genuinely on the cards. Tide changes are the trigger and low light does the rest; the middle of a bright day is the slow shift.

Black bream are the headline — a structure-holding, year-round fish taken on lures around the pylons and island banks, with better models to around 45 cm. Flathead work the sandy edges, tailor push through on the tide, and estuary cobbler come off the bottom after dark and must be handled with care. Mulloway are the reach-level bonus rather than a Causeway specialty — this stretch is only worth a shot for jewfish when there is bait about, and a patient after-dark bait session under a span is a legitimate long shot at one. Blue swimmer crabs are worked from the Causeway downstream through summer.

First presentations count with educated urban bream — a lure that lands softly and swims naturally past a pylon gets eaten; the tenth cast at the same fish gets inspected. Fishing is permitted from the river banks around Heirisson Island but not in the internal lakes on the island itself, so work the outer foreshore and the pylons. The timber and stone take a steady toll on terminal tackle, so carry more jig heads and leader than feels reasonable. Swan-Canning cobbler are subject to size (430 mm min) and bag (8) limits and periodic seasonal closures — verify current DPIRD rules before keeping any.

Reach the island by car across the Causeway heading towards Victoria Park, taking the left offramp down to the island car park; several bus routes stop at the Causeway a short walk away. A flat path rings the reserve, so the walk from car to a fishing bank is short and easy — one of the more mobility-friendly stretches of metro foreshore, though the bank edges themselves require stepping down. The island is a City of Perth reserve with a resident western grey kangaroo mob, picnic tables and BBQs, so a session shares the space with families and walkers, and dogs are not permitted on the island. The Boorloo Bridge, opened in December 2024, links the island foreshore to McCallum Park in Victoria Park and Point Fraser in East Perth for anglers arriving on foot or by bike. Public toilets on the island are limited, so check current facilities before a long session with kids.

This is lower-river saltwater at the eastern edge of the estuary, with tidal current funnelling around the island and under the two spans on every change. Tide changes are the productive windows; slack water in the middle of the tide is slow. The afternoon seabreeze funnels down the river corridor in summer, but the fish hold on structure rather than roaming, so the spot stays workable in most winds. Water clarity is generally reasonable but colours up and tannin-stains for days after heavy winter rain pushes fresh down the Swan.

This is urban foreshore, so the usual city-river hazards apply — broken glass, discarded tackle and litter at the access points, and mosquitoes thick around dawn and dusk in the warmer months. The tidal current around the island and under the spans is genuine on big tides; stay back from undercut bank edges and do not wade. Fishing alone on an unlit foreshore after dark carries the standard risks, so tell someone your plan and pack a head torch. The Swan-Canning has documented toxic algal bloom events — check current DBCA/DPIRD advisories before eating your catch, particularly after heavy rain or summer heat.

Yes. Fishing is permitted from the river banks around Heirisson Island, though not in the internal lakes on the island itself. The outer foreshore and the Causeway bridge pylons hold black bream year-round, along with flathead, tailor, cobbler and the occasional mulloway.

Black bream are the main target, holding on the bridge pylons and island banks year-round and reaching around 45 cm. Flathead work the sandy edges, tailor move through on the autumn run, estuary cobbler come off the bottom after dark, and mulloway are an occasional after-dark bonus when bait is about.

From the foreshore banks around Heirisson Island and tight to the two sets of bridge pylons, casting parallel to the pylon line rather than out into the channel. The island car park is off the Causeway heading toward Victoria Park, and the walk to the water is short and flat.

Yes, within the rules: minimum size 250 mm, a daily bag limit of 6, and no more than 2 black bream over 400 mm from the Swan and Canning rivers, all inside the statewide nearshore/estuarine mixed bag of 16. Check current DPIRD rules before keeping fish.

After dark is when cobbler and the occasional mulloway switch on and foot traffic drops off. It is unlit urban foreshore with tidal current, so pack a head torch, watch the bank edges, and let someone know your plan.