Western Australian Salmon
Western Australian Salmon aren't salmon at all — they belong to the family Arripidae, found only in Australia and New Zealand.
What they are is one of the most accessible surf fishing targets on the southern and southwestern Australian coast: schooling, hard-running fish that show up in massive numbers each autumn along beaches from Perth to the South West, drawing thousands of anglers to the sand every Easter.
Scientific Name: Arripis truttacea
Also known as Aussie salmon, WA salmon
- Streamlined, fusiform body with a powerful forked tail; blue-green back fading to silver sides, with small dark spots scattered across the upper body.
- Single dorsal fin with a noticeable notch between the spiny front section (higher) and the longer soft rear section — a useful ID feature in hand.
- Mouth is large and terminal with bands of small, sharp teeth; eyes have a transparent adipose rim in larger fish.
- Typical catch runs 1–4 kg; fish over 7 kg are genuine specimens, with the species reaching at least 96 cm and over 9 kg.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to southern Australia — distributed from Kalbarri in WA south and east through SA, VIC, and the west coast of TAS.
- Adults school along exposed surf beaches and rocky reefs; juveniles use shallow bays and estuaries as nursery areas.
- The species spawns in WA waters between Cape Leeuwin and Busselton, with larvae carried east by the Leeuwin Current to grow up along the southern coast.
- Mature fish migrate back westward toward WA to spawn, making the South West coast the focal point of the recreational fishery each autumn.
Key Locations
- South West WA coast (Cape Leeuwin to Busselton) — the spawning aggregation ground and the most reliable place to intercept large schools in autumn.
- Rottnest Island, WA — schools reliably around the island, accessible by boat from Perth.
- Perth metropolitan beaches — fish move through in numbers during the autumn migration, within reach of shore-based anglers.
- South Australian and Victorian southern coasts — immature fish are present year-round, caught by beach and rock anglers across the region.
Specific Spots
- Gutters and troughs running parallel to surf beaches concentrate feeding fish — look for darker water between sandbars where baitfish get pushed by wave action.
- Rocky headlands and reef edges adjacent to sandy beaches are natural pinch points where schools move along the coast and stack up.
- Rottnest Island holds schools reliably, and a boat lets you reach fish that stay just beyond surf-casting range from shore.
- During the spawning run, the stretch of coast between Cape Leeuwin and Busselton is the most consistent area to intercept large aggregations.
Western Australian Salmon FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Western Australian Salmon?
Metal slices and chrome slugs in the 20–60 g range are the standard beach lure, cast long, retrieve fast, and vary the cadence until fish commit. Brands like the Halco Twisty and similar metal lures have a long track record on WA beaches.
What flies work for Western Australian Salmon?
Clouser Minnows (which imitate small baitfish) in white/chartreuse or white/blue on a size 2–1/0 hook are the most versatile fly, they sink fast, cast well in wind, and match the whitebait and anchovy these fish are chasing.
When is the best time to fish for Western Australian Salmon?
Autumn (March–May) is the peak season as adult fish migrate west along the southern coast toward their WA spawning grounds, the Easter period draws the largest crowds of anglers to South West beaches.
How do you catch Western Australian Salmon?
Most WA Salmon are caught by surf anglers casting metal lures or bait into beach gutters from the sand, particularly along the South West coast during the autumn run. Boat anglers working Rottnest Island and offshore reefs have the advantage of reaching schools holding beyond surf-casting range.
What do Western Australian Salmon eat?
WA Salmon feed primarily on small baitfish, whitebait, anchovies, and juvenile fish pushed into gutters and against structure by surf. Metal slices and chrome slugs cast into feeding schools directly imitate this forage and are the go-to lure for most beach anglers.
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