Irwin Inlet
- Saltwater
- Estuary
Irwin Inlet
- Saltwater
- Estuary
- Sq. miles
- 5.3
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 4
Irwin Inlet, also respectfully known by its Aboriginal dual name Quarram, is a wave-dominated estuary in the Shire of Denmark, Western Australia. This shallow, 13 to 14 square kilometre inlet is fed by the Kent (Gnowerumbup) and Bow (Waalitchup) rivers and discharges into the Southern Ocean at Foul Bay, bisecting Peaceful Bay (Kwallup) beach. A dynamic sandbar at the ocean entrance is often breached during winter, connecting the brackish inlet to the sea. The water body is characterized by its very shallow depth, mostly less than 2 metres, and supports extensive seagrass meadows. It is slowly infilling with sediment but remains a productive commercial and recreational fishery. The inlet is situated approximately 20 kilometres east of Walpole and 30 kilometres west of Denmark, with the South Coast Highway running about 3 kilometres to the north.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Irwin Inlet and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Irwin Inlet. 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 confluence areas where the Kent and Bow rivers meet the main estuarine basin are likely productive spots, as are the edges of the extensive seagrass meadows. The entrance channel near Foul Bay and the ocean side of the dynamic sandbar at Peaceful Bay can be productive when the inlet is open, attracting species moving between habitats. The structure provided by the sand dunes and the channel bisecting Peaceful Bay beach also creates surf fishing opportunities.
Know where you can legally fish on Irwin Inlet
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.
Western Australia licenses and regulations
Western Australia Boating Regulations
Official WA Department of Transport page for recreational boating rules, including vessel registration, safety equipment and lifejacket requirements, speed limits, and marine alcohol and drug laws under the WA Marine Act 1982.
Western Australia Fishing License
Official WA DPIRD page for recreational fishing licences. WA has activity-specific licences rather than one general licence, including a South-West Freshwater Angling licence for inland fishing, plus separate licences for boat fishing, net fishing, rock lobster, abalone, and marron.
Western Australia Fishing Regulations
Official DPIRD page for WA recreational fishing rules, covering bag, size and possession limits, closed seasons, and gear restrictions. Links to the searchable rules database for limits by species and location.
Western Australia Stream Access Laws
WA has no dedicated public stream-access page; this is the closest official page, covering WA's water resources legislation, primarily the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, which vests water in the Crown.
Take Irwin Inlet 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 Irwin Inlet to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)
On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Irwin Inlet and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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