Fishing licences and where to fish - Perth WA

Parks and Public Spaces Western Australia 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia sits between rivers, estuaries and the Indian Ocean, so many anglers need to understand both state fishing licence rules and local council controls before they fish. This guide explains when a recreational fishing licence is required in WA, common municipal restrictions in Perth parks and foreshore areas, who enforces the rules, and practical steps to obtain licences, permits or to report breaches.

Where to fish in Perth

Permitted public fishing locations include river banks, public jetties and many ocean beaches, subject to marine park rules and local park conditions. Check local signage and any seasonal closures on official pages before you fish. For state licence details and general bag/size rules see the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recreational fishing pages Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development[1].

  • Swan River foreshore areas where public access is allowed.
  • Public jetties such as South Perth or Fremantle jetties, subject to local rules.
  • Ocean beaches along the metropolitan coastline where no local prohibition exists.
  • Designated fishing areas inside some marine parks only where the park rules permit recreational fishing.
Always check both state fisheries rules and City of Perth park permits before you fish.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is shared: state fisheries officers (DPIRD/Fisheries) enforce licence, bag and size limits and protected species rules; City of Perth rangers enforce local park and foreshore bylaws such as prohibited locations, permitted hours and event permit conditions. For City of Perth park permits and local conditions see the council permits page City of Perth - Permits for parks and reserves[2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages for many municipal park offences; state fisheries penalties vary by offence and are set out in fisheries legislation or regulations and may be listed on the DPIRD site.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence handling is not specified on the cited municipal permit page; refer to the enforcing agency for escalation policy.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: officers may issue directions, seize prohibited gear, suspend access or initiate court action; specific powers depend on the enforcing instrument.
  • Enforcers and complaints: report fishing licence breaches to DPIRD/Fisheries and local park breaches to City of Perth Rangers via the council contact page.
  • Appeals and review: formal appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited municipal pages; appeals for fisheries decisions follow the statutory review routes listed by DPIRD or in the relevant legislation.
  • Defences and discretion: exemptions, reasonable excuse defences, or permit variations are dealt with under the applicable instrument and are not comprehensively listed on the cited pages.
If a precise fine or penalty is required for court or compliance action, request the citation or offence notice from the enforcing officer.

Applications & Forms

Recreational fishing licences are available through the state fisheries/licensing system; the DPIRD site covers online purchase, records and payment methods. The City of Perth requires park hire or activity permits for organised events and some commercial fishing activities in reserves; specific application forms and fees are published on the City site or provided on request. Where a form or fee is not listed on an official page the site will often say "not specified on the cited page" for that item.

FAQ

Do I need a fishing licence to fish from a Perth beach?
Yes for most recreational anglers aged 18 or over in Western Australia you need a recreational fishing licence unless an explicit exemption applies; check the DPIRD fisheries pages for exemptions and short-term licences.
Can I fish in City of Perth parks or on jetties?
Often yes, but some parks or jetties have local prohibitions or require a permit for organised activities; check City of Perth permit pages and local signs before fishing.
Who do I contact to report illegal fishing or bait stealing?
Report licence, bag-limit or protected-species breaches to DPIRD/Fisheries and park or foreshore rule breaches to City of Perth Rangers via the council contact page.

How-To

  1. Confirm whether you need a recreational fishing licence (age, residency, exemption).
  2. Purchase or renew the licence online via the DPIRD/fisheries licensing portal or by the methods listed on the official page.
  3. Check local signage and City of Perth permit pages for restrictions, seasonal closures or no-fishing zones.
  4. Follow bag and size limits, use permitted gear, and be ready to show your licence to an authorised officer on request.
  5. If you encounter illegal activity, record details and report to DPIRD/Fisheries or City of Perth Rangers as appropriate.

Key Takeaways

  • Most recreational anglers in Perth need a WA fishing licence and must follow state bag and size limits.
  • City of Perth enforces park and foreshore rules; check permits before organised or commercial activities.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - Recreational fishing and licensing
  2. [2] City of Perth - Permits for parks and reserves

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