What Is The Best Time For Australian Salmon Fishing?

There are two broad types of Australian Salmon – Eastern Australian Salmon and Western Australian Salmon. Both are marine fish often found along the southern coast of Australia, and both are popular for fishermen and hobbyists alike.

The best time of the year to catch Eastern Australian Salmon is during the summer months, while the best time to catch Western Australian Salmon is January to October. Both species travel in large schools during their annual “run,” which is when it is easiest to catch them.

In the rest of this article, I’ll explain the annual salmon run, when it occurs, and the different routes taken by Eastern and Western Australian Salmon. I’ll also give you an estimate of the best times to go Australian Salmon fishing in different states. Let’s dive in and find out when you have the best chance to catch salmon in Australia!

The Best Time To Catch Australian Salmon

The Australian Salmon species are part of the Arripis genus of marine fish. They are usually found in large schools in relatively shallow waters. This easy accessibility makes them a favourite for recreational anglers.

Eastern and Western Australian salmon spawn by laying many small eggs. These eggs then float along the ocean currents until the larvae develop fully. Once the young salmons are born, they live in sheltered areas like bays, estuaries, or inlets until they become sexually mature.

They then move into the open sea and travel in schools back to their spawning grounds to continue the cycle.

To know the best time to go Australian Salmon fishing, you need to know their migration paths. So, I’ve detailed the routes of Eastern and Western Australian salmon below.

Eastern Australian Salmon

Eastern Australian Salmon can be found from the southern coast of Queensland to the southern waters around Victoria and Tasmania. They spawn along the coastline between New South Wales and Victoria, and the eggs are carried south by the East Australian Current. The juvenile fish then grow up around Victoria and Tasmania until they reach maturity.

Once the fish grow up, they travel back to the north to spawn. This northward migration along the south-eastern and eastern coasts of Australia is when you should focus on catching them.

Eastern Australian salmon are a cold-water species, which means they thrive in relatively cold temperatures. As a result, the autumn to winter months is the ideal time to go Eastern Australian Salmon fishing. 

According to the Tasmanian Government, the most popular time to catch Australian salmon along the Tasmanian coast is from January to April. However, they can be found further north in New South Wales (NSW), even in the winter months of April and May.

Western Australian Salmon

Western Australian Salmon lay their eggs on the western coasts of Western Australia (WA) and between the regions of Busselton and Albany. The eggs are then carried south and then towards the east via the Leeuwin Current. The juvenile fish then grow up in nurseries near Victoria and Tasmania, where they remain until maturity.

Once the fish reach maturity, they journey westward and collect around Hopetoun and Esperance. This migration route is known as the annual salmon run and is the best recreational salmon fishing time.

March to April is the best time to go Australian Salmon fishing in South-west WA. This time of the year is when the salmon reach the southwest coast and turn towards the north. If you live near Perth or along the western coasts, you can expect the salmon schools to reach by May.

The Best Time To Go Australian Salmon Fishing In Each State

Both the Eastern and Western Australian Salmon species are cold-water species. In simple terms, this means that they thrive in colder temperatures. For recreational anglers, this little fact can help you understand the best time to catch them.

Due to their preference for colder waters, Australian Salmon travel in large schools during the colder months. In the southern hemisphere, this means that the migration takes place between January/February to June/July.

Based on the migration routes of Eastern and Western Australian Salmon, I’ve compiled a quick estimate of the best times of the year to go salmon fishing in each state.

Eastern Australian Salmon

State	Estimated Fishing Season
Victoria	May to September
Tasmania	January to April
New South Wales	November to March

The Eastern Australian Salmon specimens found in the waters between Tasmania and Victoria tend to be juveniles. This is because the nurseries where the juveniles grow up are in this area. However, you can still find some adult specimens at the beginning of the salmon run in January and February.

Due to the large distances the schools cover, you can expect the Australian Salmon schools to arrive on Western Australian coasts by late March or early April.

Note: These times are estimates only. They can be affected by weather conditions, ocean conditions, etc.

Western Australian Salmon

State	Estimated Fishing Season
Tasmania	January to April
Victoria	June to August
South Australia	June to October
Western Australia	March to April

The western salmon run usually begins around late February to early March. This run is when the adult species move westward from the waters near Tasmania and Victoria. Once they reach the southwest coast of Western Australia, they turn towards the north and continue moving up north until they go beyond Perth.

By mid to late April, western salmon move towards the coast of South Australia. In the latter part of their run, in May and June, you can find them along Western Australia’s southwest and west coasts.

Note: These times are estimates only.

Conclusion

Australian Salmon fishing is a popular recreational sport because of the large size and number of fish available. The best time to go Australian Salmon fishing is during the annual salmon run, also known as Australian Salmon season.

For Eastern Australian Salmon, this season lasts throughout the colder months. For Western Australian Salmon, the season lasts from January to October.