Australian Salmon
Shore / SurfAustralian salmon fishing in WA — a hard-fighting pelagic, not a true salmon and nothing like the pink farmed fish of the same name. Schools migrate north along Perth and South West beaches and rock walls through the autumn run (March–June), smashing baitfish in the wash. Cast metals or ganged pilchards into the white water. Strong, oily flesh that's best smoked rather than eaten fresh.
Overview
Australian salmon are among the hardest-fighting fish you can hook from a Perth or South West beach. They migrate northward along the coast from March through June in huge schools, smashing baitfish in the surf zone. They're not a true salmon — the name is borrowed — and the dark, strong flesh isn't prized fresh, but they fight above their weight and make excellent smoked fish.
How to Catch
Whole pilchards (on ganged hooks), mulies, garfish
Chrome slugs, Halco Twisty, metal slices, large spoons
Ganged hook rig (three 4/0 hooks) for whole pilchards, or a heavy spinning setup for casting metals. Use 15–20lb leader — salmon fight hard and will test light gear.
Cast metals or ganged pilchards into the wash along surf beaches and rock walls. Salmon often feed in the same areas as tailor, so target the white water at dawn and dusk. A fast, erratic retrieve on metals works best. When schools are running, you'll see birds working bait — cast into the action.
Dawn and dusk during the autumn run (March–June). Best on moderate swell with an incoming tide pushing bait against the shore. Overcast days often produce all-day bites.
Up to 9kg, commonly 2–5kg
Mar–Jun
Honest answer: average fresh, very good smoked. The flesh is dark, strong-flavoured and on the oily side, and most people find it underwhelming eaten as plain fillets. Bleed it the moment it's landed and ice it down, then either hot-smoke it — where it genuinely shines — or use it as cut bait for mulloway and tailor. If you do cook it fresh, do it the day of capture and lean into bold flavours.
Bag limit: 4, counting within the statewide nearshore and estuarine finfish mixed-species daily limit of 16. Minimum size: 300mm. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
Perth Tips
Point Peron, Penguin Island beach, and the Dawesville Cut south wall are top salmon spots. Light gear works but it's a challenge — use the waves to bring the fish in, or have a net handy if you're on a jetty or rocks. You may pick up tailor as a by-catch while targeting salmon.