Can I bring my fishing gear on the Rottnest ferry?

Yes — most operators allow rod tubes and tackle bags. Check size and weight limits with your specific operator. Bait can usually be brought; some operators have restrictions, so verify before you board.

Where are the best Rottnest fishing spots?

Thomson Bay (jetties, family-friendly, herring), Geordie Bay (reef edges, mixed species), Ricey Beach and Cathedral Rocks (tailor and squid on the ledges), Little Armstrong Bay (KGW with berley in shallow water), south-side beaches (autumn salmon migration). Avoid the marine park sanctuary zones.

What can't I fish at Rottnest?

Five marine sanctuary zones — Kingston (Thomson Bay shipwrecks), Parker Point, Green Island, Armstrong Bay and West End Demersal — are no-take. The Basin, Little Parakeet Bay and Pinky Beach are evening fishing only. No spear fishing, no nets, no taking of marine life from inter-tidal zones outside permitted areas.

Do I need a fishing licence for Rottnest?

No fishing licence required for shore-based recreational fishing. Bag and size limits set by DPIRD apply. Boat-based recreational demersal fishing in the West Coast Bioregion is in extended recovery closure to September 2027 — verify current land-based rules and species closures with DPIRD before targeting pink snapper or dhufish. Check Rottnest Island Authority for any island-specific rules.

Bite Compass

Fish Activity

Rottnest Island (Shore Fishing)

Thu 18 Jun 2026 · Australia/Perth

Change spot

←

18 Jun

tap to pick date

→

Today Tomorrow Sat 13 Jun

📍 Rottnest Island (Shore Fishing)

waxing crescent · 9%

Weather: Sunny Wind: E 74° · 26 km/h Water: 19.9 °C

★★★★☆

Medium Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

Wind E 26 km/h — Moderate

Solunar Major window active

Water Temp 19.9°C

Moon Phase waxing crescent — 9%

Learn how the score works →

Activity Forecast

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

3:30 pm → 7:30 pm

Good

9:30 pm → 11:00 pm

1h 30m

Good

10:30 am → 12:00 pm

1h 30m

Good

7:30 am → 9:00 am

1h 30m

Sunrise

8:17 am

Sunset

6:20 pm

Moonrise

11:13 am

Moonset

9:54 pm

High tide

11:00 am

Low tide

9:00 pm

Hourly Wind

High Bite Hours Highlighted