Lake Bonney S.E
Lake Bonney S.E
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 1
Lake Bonney SE, also known locally as Coonunda or Canunda, is a large coastal freshwater lake situated in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia, approximately 450 km southeast of Adelaide and just 13 km southwest of Millicent. Covering a surface area of 79 square kilometres, it ranks among the largest freshwater bodies in the country, stretching roughly 23 km in length and up to 4 km wide. The lake sits within the gazetted locality of Canunda and is bordered by the Canunda National Park along its shores, creating a scenic and ecologically rich setting for anglers and nature enthusiasts alike. With an average depth of around 3 metres, the lake is relatively shallow throughout, characteristic of the low-lying limestone coastal landscape of the region. The lake is classified as brackish freshwater, fed by natural inflows from a catchment area of approximately 430 square kilometres, with water ultimately draining toward the Southern Ocean through evaporation and outflow.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Lake Bonney S.E and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Lake Bonney S.E. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
The lake's extensive 23 km length and 4 km width offer a wide variety of fishing locations. The shoreline areas adjacent to the Canunda National Park boundary provide natural, undisturbed habitat that can concentrate fish. The shallow margins and any areas of submerged structure or weed growth are productive zones to target, particularly during early morning and evening periods. The lake's broad, open nature also makes it suitable for trolling from a boat across its length.
Know where you can legally fish on Lake Bonney S.E
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
South Australia licenses and regulations
South Australia Boating Regulations
Official Marine Safety SA page on recreational boating rules, covering boat operator licensing, navigation rules, speed and waterway zones, and required safety equipment under the Harbors and Navigation Regulations 2009.
South Australia Fishing License
South Australia has no general recreational fishing licence - most recreational fishing is open without a permit or fee. Registration is only needed for specific cases (e.g. a registered net or rock lobster pot). This official PIRSA Fisheries Licensing page explains when registration applies.
South Australia Fishing Regulations
Official PIRSA recreational fishing rules covering size, bag, boat and possession limits for marine and freshwater species, applied per 24-hour period. See the page for current limits.
South Australia Stream Access Laws
South Australia has no dedicated recreational stream-access statute page; this is the closest official coverage - the Law Handbook SA Water chapter explaining the legal framework for watercourses, water access and adjoining land rights.
Take Lake Bonney S.E with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Bonney S.E to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Bonney S.E to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Lake Bonney S.E and check the forecast before you go.
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