Changes to the recreational fishing rules in WA came into effect from 1 February 2023.
Following extensive community and industry consultation management changes were introduced to boost the recovery of demersal scalefish stocks from Kalbarri to Augusta.
Our Recreational Fishing Calendars can be found here:
A3 Printable Recreational Fishing Calendar
A4 Printable Recreational Fishing Calendar
Changes for recreational fishers
On 1 February 2023, the following changes commenced:
- The current two-month demersal closure is extended to a total of six months for recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion from Kalbarri to Augusta.
- New seasonal dates - Catching demersal scalefish from a boat will be prohibited from:
- 1 February to 31 March (inclusive);
- 1 August to the beginning of the September/October school holidays; and
- end of the September/October school holidays to 15 December (inclusive).
- *Note this does not apply to land based recreational line fishers, and persons on a fishing charter.
- A boat limit of four demersal scalefish per vessel.
- The removal of the WA dhufish boat limit, so an individual angler can catch up to two WA dhufish.
- A maximum of one bait or lure per line when fishing from a boat for demersal scalefish.
- Removal of size limits for WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod to limit baro-trauma.
- Abrolhos Islands changes:
- reduced bag limit of one demersal scalefish;
- reduced finfish possession limit of:
- 5 kg of fillets from any species, plus 5 kg of fillets from large pelagic finfish (must have skin attached for identification purposes); OR
- one day’s bag limit of whole fish.
- Shifting the timing of the Abrolhos Islands baldchin groper spawning closure to be 1 October to 31 December (inclusive).
- Extending the timing of the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds pink snapper spawning closure to be 1 August to 31 January (inclusive).
Changes for charter fishers
On 1 February 2023, the following changes commenced for charter fishers:
- Removal of size limits for WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod to limit baro-trauma.
- The removal of the WA dhufish boat limit, so an individual angler can catch up to two WA dhufish
- Abrolhos Islands changes:
- reduced bag limit of one demersal scalefish;
- reduced finfish possession limit of:
- 5 kg of fillets from any species, plus 5 kg of fillets from large pelagic finfish (must have skin attached for identification purposes); OR
- one day’s bag limit of whole fish.
- Shifting the timing of the Abrolhos Islands baldchin groper spawning closure to 1 October to 31 December (inclusive).
- Extending the timing of the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds pink snapper spawning closure to 1 August to 31 January (inclusive).
From 1 July 2023, the following changes will commence for charter fishers:
- A demersal scalefish catch quota system for the charter fishery.
- Charter fishery open 12 months of the year (excluding existing spawning closures).
Changes for commercial fishers
On 1 January 2023, the following changes commenced:
- Available fishing hours in the West Coast Demersal Scalefish (Line) Fishery reduced to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in total allowable catch.
On 1 February 2023, the following changes commenced:
- Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme to buy back West Coast Demersal Scalefish (Line) Fishery permits and entitlement.
- Removal of size limits for WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod to limit baro-trauma
- Extending the timing of the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds pink snapper spawning closure to 1 August to 31 January (inclusive).
- Shifting the timing of the Abrolhos Islands baldchin groper spawning closure to 1 October to 31 December (inclusive).
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Recreational fishing rules
To help keep our fish resources sustainable, we have developed a comprehensive set of rules for recreational fishers.
By following the rules you will help maintain the fantastic fishing opportunities here in WA, ensuring there are fish for the future for you and the generations to come.
Most of the key Statewide fishing rules can be found online and in our 
Recreational fishing guide, which includes bag and size limits tables for the main species you are likely to catch throughout WA.
A number of rules also apply to licensed fisheries and some rules apply to specific biological regions, known as 'bioregions' – click on the relevant section in the map below for more details.
You should also be aware of rules for Marine Protected Areas and for individual species.
The rules form part of our management strategies, which are based on ongoing research monitoring of our fish and aquatic resources.
Summary of key changes to WA recreational fishing rules which came into effect on 1 July 2021:
Introduction of trip limits. While on a fishing trip you may accumulate up to 10kg of finfish fillets of any species, no skin required, plus an additional 10kg of fillets of large pelagic fish with skin on. The existing possession limit of 20kg of fillets of any species will continue to apply at a person's principal place of residence.
Removal of the 30cm minimum fillet length for filleting at sea.
Update to the definition of whole fish, which can now be cut in two pieces and still be considered as one fish. (For both filleting and whole fish rules, skin will need to be attached while still at sea.)
Release weights will be required for the master of all fishing boats fishing by line for demersal finfish, anywhere in WA, not just in the West Coast Region.
For more information, read our FAQ and media release.