FLEURIEU PENINSULA

Goolwa Fishing

Goolwa, South Australia

Overview

Goolwa sits where the River Murray meets the sea - the Goolwa beaches are famous mulloway country, the river mouth and barrages produce mullet and salmon, and the Coorong holds bream (bream fishing is currently closed in the Lakes and Coorong).

Local Rules & Closures

SOUTHERN ROCK LOBSTER CLOSED SEASON — SOUTHERN ZONE

Rock Lobster must not be taken from the Southern Zone from 6:00 pm 31 May to 6:00 am 1 October.

BLACK BREAM CLOSURE — LAKES AND COORONG

The taking and possession of Black Bream from Lakes and Coorong waters is not permitted from 1 August to 31 January.

Quick Info

BEST FOR

Mullet, Mulloway, Australian Salmon

FISHING TYPES

Shore, Surf

ENVIRONMENT

River mouth, barrage structures and long ocean surf beaches backed by the Coorong lagoon

DIFFICULTY

Mixed

BEST SEASON

Summer - Autumn for mulloway

ACCESS

Easy to Moderate

What Can I Catch?

Mullet

COMMON

Mullet are the reliable South Australian everyday fish — found in bays, estuaries, beaches and rivers throughout the state. They school in shallow water, are easy to catch on light gear with fresh baits, and make a great first fish for kids, especially yellow-eye mullet that run up SA estuaries in numbers.

Mulloway

COMMON

Best: Summer - Autumn

Australian Salmon

SEASONAL

Best: Autumn - Winter

Black Bream

UNCOMMON

Closed in Lakes and Coorong waters 1 August to 31 January annually (PIRSA).

Where to Fish

Goolwa Beach

SURF BEACH

Long open beach south of the Murray Mouth - famous mulloway country in summer and autumn, with salmon and mullet through winter. Fish the gutters on the run-in tide.

SurfAccess: Easy (4WD on marked sections)

TARGETS: Mulloway, Australian Salmon, Mullet

Murray Mouth

ESTUARY

Where the River Murray meets the sea - mullet, salmon and mulloway in the channels. Strong currents and shifting sandbars; observe any restrictions near the barrages.

ShoreAccess: Moderate (4WD or long walk)

TARGETS: Mullet, Australian Salmon, Mulloway

Strong currents and shifting sandbars; never wade the channels. Check access restrictions near the barrages.

How to Fish Here — Rigs

Gang Hook Pilchard Rig

A whole pilchard threaded onto a string of ganged hooks — the classic rig for presenting a natural, fish-shaped bait that hooks salmon, mulloway and sharks wherever they strike the bait along its length.

Surf Paternoster Rig

A heavy-duty paternoster built for the surf — a star or grapnel sinker holds the bottom in the wash while one or two baits sit up off the sand in the gutter. The standard rig for salmon, mulloway and gummy sharks off South Australian beaches.

Best Baits & Lures

Pilchard

The classic saltwater baitfish - a staple for salmon, mulloway, snapper and gummy sharks, fished whole or in strips.

Pipi / Goolwa Cockle

The number one King George Whiting bait in South Australia.

Fishing Environments

ShoreSurf

Best Seasons

Mulloway peak in summer and autumn around the mouth and surf beaches.

Local Notices

PIPI (GOOLWA COCKLE) COLLECTION REGULATED - COORONG

Pipi (Goolwa cockle) collection in the Coorong area is separately regulated by PIRSA. Check the current pipi collection rules before collecting bait.

Official source: PIRSA

Access & Facilities

LOCAL RESTRICTIONS

Black bream fishing is closed in the Lakes and Coorong waters. Pipi (Goolwa cockle) collection is separately regulated - check current PIRSA pipi rules before collecting bait.

Fishing Rules

Size, bag and possession limits apply to every species here — each species page carries the current verified SA rules from PIRSA. Marine park sanctuary zones are no-take areas. Always check current regulations before fishing.

View SA Fishing Rules

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