Question 1

Can I really catch mulloway off the Port Denison breakwall?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The end of the south breakwater is the recognised local mulloway spot, fished after dark with whole mulies, fresh tailor heads or live herring on a 6/0 single. Dawn and dusk in light onshore wind is the working window. The fish are not always there, but when the bait push is in the harbour the breakwall consistently produces.

Question 2

Is the Irwin River mouth always fishable?

Accepted Answer

No. The bar opens after winter rainfall and closes back over a dry summer. When the mouth is open, the channel fishes for tailor, mulloway and bream on the run-out and the lower river bank produces bream regardless. When closed, the mouth is sand and the action shifts to South Beach gutters and the harbour.

Question 3

Does the West Coast demersal closure apply at Dongara?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Port Denison sits in the West Coast Bioregion, so the boat-based recreational demersal closure window to September 2027 applies to pink snapper, dhufish and the wider demersal mixed bag. Land-based rules and species closures are evolving — verify current DPIRD rules before targeting demersals from the rocks or offshore.

Question 4

Where is the boat ramp?

Accepted Answer

Port Denison harbour has two recreational boat ramps inside the breakwaters — a sealed dual-lane Department of Transport ramp on the south side with a catwalk and trailer parking, and the Shire of Irwin ramp accessed from Point Leander Drive. Both fill early on calm weekends through the rock-lobster season.

Dongara / Port Denison (Harbour / Granny's Beach / South Beach / Irwin River Mouth)