Marron
FreshwaterWA's iconic south-west endemic freshwater crayfish, found in dams, rivers, and weirs from Harvey through to the Warren. Targeted in a short licensed open season each summer using drop nets, scoop nets, or snares — never rod and line. The cleanest-tasting freshwater crustacean in the country and the reason a lot of South-West holiday plans get built around early February.
Marron are a smooth-shelled freshwater crayfish endemic to WA's south-west. The smooth marron (Cherax cainii) is the species you'll catch in the dams and rivers from Harvey down to Pemberton — the closely-related hairy marron (Cherax tenuimanus) is critically endangered and restricted to the upper Margaret River system, where they cannot be taken. Pemberton, Wellington Dam, Waroona Dam, and Drakesbrook Weir are the classic public marroning waters, and the season is short by design — a few weeks in midsummer, managed tightly by DPIRD to keep stocks healthy. It's a tradition more than a fishery: families camp out, set pots in the late afternoon, and check them by torchlight after dinner.
Sheep liver, kangaroo meat, fish frames, dog biscuits
Not applicable — marron are not taken on lures or rod and line
Drop nets and scoop nets in waters where they're permitted, or snares (a baited cord with a noose) in snare-only waters like Harvey and Waroona Dams. A standard drop net is a wire frame with mesh dropped vertically; bait sits in the centre and the net is hauled straight up. No rod, no line, no spear — those methods are illegal.
Set drop nets in 1–3m of water along weed edges, submerged timber, or rocky margins where marron forage at night. Soak each net for 10–20 minutes, then haul slowly and steadily — yanking it up loses fish. Snaring is the South-West art form: walk the bank with a torch, spot the marron in the shallows, and ease the noose over its head from behind. Measure the carapace (eye socket to back of shell) on the bank with a dedicated marron gauge and return anything under size or any berried (egg-carrying) female immediately.
After dark is when marron move out of cover to feed. The first few nights of the season are usually the most productive before pressure spreads the population. Warm, still evenings produce better than cold or windy nights.
Up to 400g, commonly 100–250g; carapace 80–120mm
Jan 8 – Feb 5 (open season)
Sweet, clean, delicate flesh — closer to a freshwater lobster than a yabby, and considered by many to be the best-eating crustacean in Australia. Cook live by plunging into boiling salted water for 4–6 minutes depending on size. Excellent split and grilled with garlic butter, but plain boiled is hard to beat.
A separate Recreational Marron Licence is required (this is in addition to the freshwater angling licence). Open season runs noon 8 January to noon 5 February. Daily bag limit 8 marron in general waters, 5 in trophy waters (within 500m of the high-water mark of Harvey Dam, Waroona Dam, and the Hutt River). Minimum size 80mm carapace in general waters, 90mm in trophy waters. Possession limit 16 marron away from your principal residence. Drop nets, scoop nets, and snares only — no spearing, no rod and line. Berried females must be released. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
Buy a marron gauge before the season — eyeballing the size is how people end up with fines. Keep your catch alive in a hessian bag dampened with dam water rather than in a bucket where they'll deplete oxygen and die. Pemberton, Wellington Dam, Waroona Dam, and Drakesbrook Weir are the reliable public-access options; Harvey Dam is snare-only. Check the DPIRD rules every year — bag limits and trophy waters have shifted in recent seasons.