King George Whiting
King George whiting is the largest whiting species in the world and the backbone of southern Australia's inshore recreational fishery.
Endemic to the southern coast from Jurien Bay in WA across to Botany Bay in NSW, including northern Tasmania, it's a fish that rewards patience and local knowledge — and one of the best eating fish in the country.
Scientific Name: Sillaginodes punctatus
Also known as KG, KGW, Spotted whiting, Spotted sillago, Australian whiting, South Australian whiting, Black whiting, Pussies
- Long, slender body with a distinctive pattern of small rusty-brown spots and wavy lines along the upper side, fading to silvery-white on the belly — unlike any other Australian whiting.
- Pale golden-brown to greenish on top; small scales, long pointed snout, and a noticeably yellow tail fin help confirm the ID in hand.
- Common catches run 30–45 cm; fish over 50 cm are genuinely large, and the species can reach 72 cm and close to 5 kg.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Endemic to southern Australia — found from Jurien Bay, WA, east along the coast to Botany Bay, NSW, including northern Tasmania where numbers are lower and increasing.
- Juveniles live in shallow seagrass beds in sheltered bays and estuaries; adults move into deeper channels, gutters, and offshore reef areas as they grow.
- Key recreational fisheries are centred on South Australia's Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, Victoria's Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, and coastal WA around Cockburn Sound and Parmelia Bank.
- Depth range is roughly 2–200 m, but most fish are caught in 3–18 m; adults can push to 25 m near offshore reefs.
Key Locations
- Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, SA — the heartland of the KGW fishery, with large schools in channels and seagrass flats.
- Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, VIC — major nursery and feeding grounds that draw large numbers of recreational anglers each season.
- Yorke Peninsula, SA — a dedicated destination fishery with consistent access to quality fish from both boat and shore.
- Cockburn Sound and Parmelia Bank, WA — productive boat fishing over sand patches in weed, with good-sized fish available.
- Northern Tasmania — lower numbers but a growing population; north and north-eastern waters are the most productive areas on the island.
Specific Spots
- Sand holes and bare patches within or between seagrass beds are the prime feeding zones — fish root through the sand for worms and crustaceans, so target the open sand, not the weed itself.
- Channel edges, gutters, and drop-offs into deeper water concentrate fish, especially larger adults moving with the tide.
- In summer, fish push into very shallow bays (1–4 m) on the high tide, including at night when they feed more freely in the shallows.
- In full sun, whiting sit a little deeper and are easily spooked — low-light periods and overcast days bring them shallower and make them less wary.
King George Whiting FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for King George Whiting?
Fresh bait dominates: pipi, beachworm, bloodworm, mussel, and fresh squid tentacle are the go-to options across all states, fresh always outperforms frozen for whiting.
When is the best time to fish for King George Whiting?
Summer (December–February): fish move into shallow bays and are accessible from shore; popular season for land-based anglers across VIC and SA. Autumn–winter (May–August): fish school heavily in channels and sand holes ahead of spawning; boat fishing peaks in SA, with July–September particularly productive.
How do you catch King George Whiting?
Most anglers target KGW from boats or kayaks, drifting over sand holes and channel edges in sheltered bays with fresh bait on light running sinker rigs. Land-based fishing from beaches and bay foreshores is productive in summer when fish move into shallow water, particularly around dawn, dusk, and the high tide.
What do King George Whiting eat?
Primary forage is polychaete worms, small crustaceans (prawns, amphipods), pipis, and molluscs found in and around sandy substrate, match this with pipi, marine worm (bloodworm or beachworm), mussel, or fresh squid tentacle on a small hook.
Where do King George Whiting live?
Endemic to southern Australia, found from Jurien Bay, WA, east along the coast to Botany Bay, NSW, including northern Tasmania where numbers are lower and increasing.
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