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)

Sun 21 Jun 2026 · Australia/Perth

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📍 Rottnest Island (Shore Fishing)

first quarter · 35%

Weather: Sunny Wind: NE 48° · 32 km/h

★★★☆☆

Medium Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

Wind NE 32 km/h — Strong

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Water Temp —

Moon Phase first quarter — 35%

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Activity Forecast

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

6:00 pm → 8:00 pm

Sunrise

8:17 am

Sunset

6:21 pm

Moonrise

12:50 pm

Moonset

12:05 am

Hourly Wind

High Bite Hours Highlighted