Fishing Rules

South Australia does not currently require a general recreational fishing licence for most marine and freshwater fishing. Some activities are different — for example, taking rock lobster requires registration, and charter operators need their own licensing. Check PIRSA for anything outside normal rod-and-line fishing.

Most species have a minimum legal size, a daily personal bag limit, and a boat limit shared by everyone on board. Some species also have possession limits that apply once you take your catch home. Open any species guide to see its current SA rules, and always measure your fish before deciding to keep it.

Rules can differ by zone — the same species may have different sizes and bag limits east and west of longitude 136°E, and separate limits for the gulfs. The zones currently used on A4GW Fishing:

• Other SA waters — All other South Australian waters.
• Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island — Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island waters as defined by PIRSA.
• Spencer Gulf — Spencer Gulf waters as defined by PIRSA.
• West of longitude 136°E — All SA waters west of longitude 136°E.
• East of longitude 136°E (including Gulf waters) — All SA waters east of longitude 136°E, including Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.

Current closures from the fishing database:

• False Bay cephalopod closure (Whyalla)
  Always – Always — False Bay, Spencer Gulf (near Whyalla)
  The targeting and taking of all cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus) is prohibited at all times in the waters of False Bay, Spencer Gulf, near Whyalla.
• Southern Rock Lobster closed season — Southern Zone
  31 May (6 pm) – 1 October (6 am) (annually) — Southern Zone (east of longitude 139°E to the VIC border)
  Rock Lobster must not be taken from the Southern Zone from 6:00 pm 31 May to 6:00 am 1 October.
• Southern Rock Lobster closed season — Northern Zone
  31 May (6 pm) – 1 November (12 noon) (annually) — Northern Zone (west of longitude 139°E to the WA border)
  Rock Lobster must not be taken from the Northern Zone from 6:00 pm 31 May to 12 noon 1 November.
• Bream closure — Onkaparinga River
  1 September – 30 November (annually) — Onkaparinga River (upstream of Main South Road Bridge, Noarlunga)
  Fishing for Bream is prohibited in the Onkaparinga River upstream of the Main South Road Bridge at Noarlunga from 1 September to 30 November.
• Black Bream closure — Lakes and Coorong
  1 August – 31 January (annually) — Lakes and Coorong waters
  The taking and possession of Black Bream from Lakes and Coorong waters is not permitted from 1 August to 31 January.
• Southern Garfish closure — Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island
  1 May 2026 – Ongoing — Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island
  A closure in place since 1 May 2026 prohibits the targeting, take and possession of Southern Garfish in the Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island fishing zone for recreational and charter boat fishing.
• Southern Calamari closure — Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island
  1 May 2026 – Ongoing — Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island
  A total closure from 1 May 2026 prohibits the targeting, take and possession of Southern Calamari in the Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island fishing zone for recreational and charter boat fishing.
• Southern Calamari closure — Spencer Gulf
  1 May 2026 – Ongoing — Spencer Gulf
  A total closure from 1 May 2026 prohibits the targeting, take and possession of Southern Calamari in Spencer Gulf for recreational and charter boat fishing.
• Snapper closure — West Coast, Spencer Gulf & Gulf St Vincent/KI
  In place – 30 June 2027 — West Coast; Spencer Gulf; Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island
  Snapper fishing is closed until 30 June 2027: targeting, take and catch-and-release fishing are strictly prohibited. Do not transit through a closure area with Snapper on board — bringing Snapper back to any boat ramp in a closed area (including Cape Jervis, Wirrina and Penneshaw) is prohibited.
• King George Whiting spawning closure
  1 March – 30 June (annually) — Spencer Gulf; Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island
  The targeting, take and possession of King George Whiting is prohibited in Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf during the annual spawning closure (1 March – 30 June).

Gear rules vary by water and species — including how many lines or rods you may use, net restrictions and prohibited apparatus. Check PIRSA's current gear rules for the water you plan to fish.

Some species are fully protected — they cannot be targeted, taken or possessed at any time, and must be returned to the water carefully if caught. Species marked Protected in our directory carry their own rules; check PIRSA's protected species list before your trip.

Marine parks and aquatic reserves can restrict or prohibit fishing in specific areas, and some zones are catch-and-release only. Look for signage on site and check the area you plan to fish before you go.

Berley is legal in most SA waters, but some areas restrict berleying — particularly where sharks may be attracted near swimmers. Collecting some baits (like pipis) is separately regulated, with its own size, bag and closure rules.

Blue swimmer crabs have their own minimum size, bag and boat limits, and there are waters where taking crabs is not allowed. Measure crabs from the shell and return undersized crabs immediately.

Recreational rock lobster fishing in SA requires registration with PIRSA, with pot limits, tag and gear requirements and a defined open season. Check the current requirements before heading out.

Freshwater fishing in SA rivers, reservoirs and lakes has its own species, gear and access rules, and some waters are stocked for family fishing. Check access permissions for private and reserve waters before you cast.