Leschenault is Bunbury's long narrow estuary — a protected shallow inlet running north from Koombana Bay up to Australind, and one of the South West's most accessible crabbing grounds. Character is Peel-Harvey-ish but tighter and more walkable: you can access most of it from foreshore paths and boat ramps without needing anything fancier than a bucket and a measure. Bream hold along structure, whiting work the sand flats in summer, and mulloway haunt the deeper holes down near the entrance.

Wade or walk the banks with light gear — soft plastics and small hardbodies around structure for bream, prawn or bloodworm baits on the sand for whiting on a rising tide. Drop nets off the foreshore or a boat ramp for blue swimmer crabs in the season. For mulloway, fish the deeper holes closer to Koombana Bay at dusk into dark with whole mulies. Koombana end also fires for squid at dawn and dusk on clear still days — work small jigs through the weed beds.

Black bream (year-round on structure), sand and yellowfin whiting (summer flats), flathead, herring, cobbler after dark, tailor in autumn, and mulloway in the deeper pockets near the entrance. Squid are a Koombana-end bonus in the cooler months. Blue swimmer crabs are the signature headline from December through to the end of August.

Australind end is quieter and fishes better for wade anglers; Koombana end is busier but closer to pubs and bait shops. Don't drag crab nets across seagrass; lift them clear. Don't fish from the dolphin-watching boardwalks at Koombana Bay.

Multiple sealed car parks along the foreshore from Koombana Bay through Australind, including boat ramps at Pelican Point and Australind. Sealed paths along most of the foreshore — among the more mobility-friendly estuary fisheries in WA. Public toilets at the main reserves. The drive from Perth is around 2 hours; the estuary stretches 20+ km so multiple session points are available. No formal lighting; head torch needed for night sessions.

Long narrow estuary running roughly north-south with limited tidal exchange — water is brackish to salt depending on river flow and rainfall. Water clarity is generally good; reduces during algal bloom periods. Easterly mornings are calmest. The Australind end fishes shallower with cleaner banks; the Koombana end is deeper near the entrance. Heavy winter rain pushes fresh water down and shifts fish into the lower brackish reaches.

Leschenault blue swimmer crab closed season is 1 September – 30 November — crab legally outside that window, minimum 127 mm across the carapace. Stingrays cruise the muddy flats; shuffle when wading. Mosquitoes and sandflies at dawn and dusk are intense; pack repellent. Algal blooms periodically affect the estuary — check DWER/DPIRD advisories before consuming fish. Cobbler spike badly; release with care. Boat traffic is moderate at the boat ramps.

The Leschenault blue swimmer crab closed season is 1 September – 30 November. Crab legally outside that window — December through August — with a minimum size of 127 mm across the carapace. Always check current DPIRD rules and bag limits before setting nets.

Around any structure — boat ramp pylons, fallen timber, rock walls, and weed edges. The Australind end is quieter for wade anglers; the Koombana end has more accessible structure but more boat traffic. Both produce year-round.

Yes — sealed foreshore paths, calm sheltered water, accessible boat ramps for crab netting, and a productive light-tackle fishery suit families. The Australind end is quieter and easier with younger kids.

Periodically yes — DWER and DPIRD issue advisories when blooms affect the estuary. Check current advisories before consuming fish or crabs. The estuary fishes well for catch-and-release; eat-and-keep depends on current advisories.