Can you fish at Scarborough Beach?

Yes. Beach fishing is allowed, but fish away from swimmers and surfers, ideally early morning or evening, and follow WA bag and size limits.

What fish can you catch at Scarborough Beach?

Herring, whiting, tailor, Australian salmon in season, and squid over the seagrass beds.

When is the best time to fish at Scarborough?

Dawn and dusk. Herring are best on summer to autumn mornings, and tailor are usually caught from sunset.

Do I need a fishing licence in Perth?

No licence is needed for shore fishing for most species, but a Recreational Boat Fishing Licence is required to fish from a powered boat, and some species need specific licences. Check DPIRD rules.

Where do fishing charters leave from near Scarborough?

Most deep-sea fishing charters leave from Hillarys Boat Harbour, about 8 km north of Scarborough.

Can I fish in Marmion Marine Park?

Line fishing is allowed in most of the park, but sanctuary zones are no-take. Check the current zoning before you fish.

Fishing Scarborough Beach Perth | Beach Fishing Tips, Species & Seasons

Fishing at a glance

Herring: best on summer mornings through to April.
Whiting: year-round, mostly small fish close to shore.
Tailor: usually fished from sunset into the evening.
Squid: drift fishing over seagrass from a kayak or boat, especially in winter.
Rules: follow WA bag and size limits; a Recreational Boat Fishing Licence is needed to fish from a powered boat. Check Marmion Marine Park zoning.

Australian salmon caught fishing from a Perth beach — Australian salmon run along Perth's beaches in autumn.

Beach fishing at Scarborough

Scarborough is one of Perth's great white-sand beaches for beach fishing. About 100 metres offshore are seagrass beds that provide food and shelter for different fish and marine mammals through the seasons. Recreational fishing is hugely popular in Western Australia, and this page records what to fish for and when.

Local fishing tips

Check the swell on the Scarborough surf cam before you go — calm mornings are best.
Fish dawn and dusk, and away from swimmers and surfers, particularly in summer.
Herring bite best in the mornings from mid-summer to April.
Whiting are around all year, though most are small close to shore.
Tailor are usually targeted from sunset.
In winter, try drift bottom fishing from a kayak over the seagrass for squid.
Warm-water species such as flying fish are sometimes seen in late summer.

Deep-sea fishing charters

Game fishing boat off Perth — Charter boats leave Hillarys Boat Harbour for offshore reefs.

Many deep-sea fishing charter boats depart from Hillarys Boat Harbour, about 8 km north of Scarborough — a 25-minute ride along the coastal cycle path. Offshore reefs hold dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper and samson fish.

Marmion Marine Park and fishing rules

Trigg Island near Scarborough Beach, Perth — Trigg Island, at the southern end of Marmion Marine Park.

Marmion Marine Park, from Trigg Island north to Burns Beach, protects reefs, lagoons and seagrass. Line fishing is allowed in most areas, but some sanctuary zones are no-take and spearfishing is restricted. Always check the current park zoning, bag and size limits and licence requirements with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development before fishing. Be aware of ciguatera risk with some tropical reef fish.