Do you need a licence to fish Harvey Dam?

Yes — a South West Freshwater Angling Licence from DPIRD is required to fish for trout and redfin in freshwater south of 29°S, and marron need a separate Recreational Marron Licence on top. Fishing from the bank or a kayak without the freshwater licence is an offence even if you release everything.

What are the marron rules at Harvey Dam?

Harvey Dam is designated trophy waters, so the rules are tighter than standard: 90mm minimum carapace length, a daily bag of five per licensed fisher, and snares are the only legal capture method — no drop nets or scoops. The season is short, running from noon on 8 January to noon on 5 February, and a separate marron licence is required. Check DPIRD's current marron guide before the season.

Can you use a boat on Harvey Dam?

Paddle craft only — kayaks and canoes launch from the ramp and several spots along the southern side, but power boats are prohibited on the dam. That suits the fishing: a kayak is the best way to work the submerged tree lines at the eastern end where the cruising trout hold.

Can you camp at Harvey Dam?

No — the recreation area is day-use only, though it's well set up with toilets, barbecues, picnic shelters, a playground and walking trails. The nearest camping options are in and around Harvey and the wider South West dam circuit, including Potters Gorge at Wellington Dam near Collie.

What lures work for trout at Harvey Dam?

Small minnow-style hard bodies, soft plastics and small vibes on a light 1.8–2.1m spin outfit with 3kg line cover the lure side; fly fishers do the damage with Woolly Buggers and Mrs Simpson streamers around the margins. Dawn, dusk and the warm-afternoon rises of October and November are the windows to plan around, and the eastern timber is where to look for cruising fish.

Do you have to keep redfin at Harvey Dam?

Redfin perch are a declared pest in WA and must not be returned to the water alive — DPIRD asks that they're humanely dispatched and not left on the bank. There's no bag limit on them. The consolation is that redfin are excellent eating, so a bag of Harvey Dam reddies is a feed, not a chore.

Bite Compass

Bite Forecast

Harvey Dam

Sat 17 Oct 2026 · Australia/Perth

Forecast updated 12:01am AWST

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📍 Harvey Dam

first quarter · 33%

Weather: Sunny Wind: NE 41° · 6 km/h Pressure: 1015.5 hPa Sheltered water: wind direction matters less here

★★★☆☆

Medium Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

At the day's peak · 5:30 am

Solunar Major window

Time of day Dawn

Wind NE 7 km/h

Moon first quarter all day

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Activity Forecast

Now

Day Timeline

Major Minor Twilight

First light 5:08 am Last light 6:55 pm

Drag or use arrow keys to explore

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

4:30 am → 6:30 am

Good

5:00 pm → 7:30 pm

2h 30m

First light

5:08 am

Last light

6:55 pm

Sunrise

5:33 am

Sunset

6:30 pm

Moonrise

9:45 am

Moonset

12:00 am

Hourly Wind

High Bite Hours Highlighted

12am

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13°

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41°

6 km/h

Now

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12°

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45°

6 km/h

2am

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12°

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47°

6 km/h

3am

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12°

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47°

6 km/h

4am

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12°

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43°

7 km/h

5am

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12°

↗︎

42°

7 km/h

6am

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12°

↗︎

35°

7 km/h

7am

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15°

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20°

9 km/h

8am

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17°

↑︎

351°

9 km/h

9am

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19°

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331°

10 km/h

10am

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20°

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316°

10 km/h

11am

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20°

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319°

10 km/h

12pm

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20°

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311°

12 km/h

1pm

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20°

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300°

13 km/h

2pm

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20°

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299°

14 km/h

3pm

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20°

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300°

15 km/h

4pm

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20°

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303°

14 km/h

5pm

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19°

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299°

12 km/h

6pm

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17°

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300°

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7pm

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15°

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338°

6 km/h

8pm

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14°

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14°

5 km/h

9pm

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22°

7 km/h

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14°

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12°

7 km/h

11pm

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14°

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9°

9 km/h

Wind Map

Wind data (text)

Now: 6 km/h NE (41°).

Wind map data: ECMWF HRES (operational), updated every 6 hours. Not for navigation.

Open in the full fishing map →

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

4:30 am → 6:30 am

Good

5:00 pm → 7:30 pm

2h 30m

First light

5:08 am

Last light

6:55 pm

Sunrise

5:33 am

Sunset

6:30 pm

Moonrise

9:45 am

Moonset

12:00 am

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