Can you really catch trout in WA?

Yes — the south-west forest streams around Pemberton are the heart of the WA trout fishery. DPIRD stocks rainbow and brown trout into specific waters including the upper Donnelly, Warren tributaries and Lefroy Brook, and a small brook-trout population persists in the colder headwaters. It is the only meaningful freshwater trout fishery in the state.

Do I need a separate licence for trout?

Yes — WA's freshwater trout fishery has its own licence requirement under DPIRD, separate from the saltwater rules that cover most of the rest of this site. Read the current season dates, open waters and bag limits before fishing; they change year to year and are not the same as marine.

How do I fish the Donnelly River mouth?

The mouth is 11km downstream of Donnelly Boat Landing and most reliably accessed by small boat or kayak from there. The surf beach at the mouth fires for Australian salmon and tailor through autumn on ganged-hook mulies and metals, and mulloway on whole baits after dark. Direct vehicle access to the beach itself is limited and seasonally restricted.

What's the best time of year to fish around Pemberton?

Spring and early summer for trout in the forest streams, autumn for salmon and tailor at the Donnelly mouth, and year-round for black bream in the lower Donnelly and Warren. Mid-winter is cold and wet but holds bream for those who like quiet water; mid-summer needs care around fire restrictions and forest closures.

Bite Compass

Fish Activity

Pemberton / Donnelly River

Sat 04 Apr 2026 · Australia/Perth

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📍 Pemberton / Donnelly River

full · 97%

Weather: Sunny Wind: NE 39° · 12 km/h

★★★☆☆

Low Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

Wind NE 12 km/h — Light

Solunar Minor windows

Water Temp —

Moon Phase full — 97%

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Activity Forecast

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

7:00 pm → 9:00 pm

Good

7:00 am → 8:00 am

Sunrise

7:30 am

Sunset

7:07 pm

Moonrise

8:00 pm

Moonset

9:25 am

Hourly Wind

High Bite Hours Highlighted