Fishing Guide Rottnest Island

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ExperienceRottnest IslandFishing Guide

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Rottnest Island, Western Australias very own Islandgetaway is a popular family holiday destinationand a fantastic place to wet a line. Fishing is afavourite pastime for many visitors to RottnestIsland with opportunities for anglers of any skill

level or experience. Shore based angling offersexciting shing opportunities. Alternatively, if youhave a boat you can head offshore to sh from thedeepwater reefs surrounding the Island.

Marine Sanctuary ZonesThe new Rottnest Island Marine Management Strategy(RIMMS) came into effect in July 2007. As part of thisstrategy, 2 previous sanctuary zone areas were expandedand 3 additional sanctuary zones created. The sanctuaryzones are aimed at protecting representative samples of

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from vessels is permitted targeting pelagic speciesof sh. Taking of marine ora and fauna by all other

means is prohibited. See map 1 for GPS points.2. Kingston Reef Sanctuary Zone

This sanctuary zone is located off-shore in ThomsonBay. The area has been expanded on the south-western boundary to incorporate more of the reef environment. Taking of any marine ora or fauna byany means is prohibited. See map 2 for GPS points.

3. Armstrong Bay Sanctuary ZoneThis sanctuary zone area encompasses the coastalwaters from the eastern end of Catherine Bay toParakeet Island. Shore-based shing is permittedby means of a rod and line or line held in the handin certain areas which are sign posted. Taking of any marine ora and fauna by all other means isprohibited. See map 3 for GPS points.

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Key Fishing Rules1 R i l hi i bj i d i

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Coastal HazardsThe coastal area is fragile. Beware of unstable rockslopes, cliffs and overhangs. Stay well back from cliff edges and do not enter caves or walk under overhangs.Please exercise caution in natural environments.

Fishing From ShoreThe numerous rock platforms, headlands and beautiful

beaches of Rottnest Island offer excellent year-roundshing opportunities for every angler - from the noviceto the experienced. One of the great advantages of shing on an island is that you can always nd a shorelinesheltered from the wind.

On Rottnest Island, many shing spots are only a shortbike ride from Thomson Bay and Geordie Bay. Jetties inthese bays also offer good shing opportunities. For the

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Boat FishingBoat shing around Rottnest Island can be veryrewarding; Some of Western Australias best knownspecies of sh including dhush, breaksea cod, pinksnapper, sampson sh, and baldchin grouper inhabit the

rocky reef areas. These reef sh are most often found inthe moderately deep waters surrounding Rottnest Island.During spring and summer, however, some individualsmove into shallower waters and are occasionally caughtfrom shore.

Just a few kilometres off the West End of Rottnest Island,the continental shelf drops away rapidly to great depthsand it is in this area that apex predators can be found.

Offshore anglers target pelagic species such as billshand various species of shark. Various amateur shing clubshave installed a series of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)in this area. These devices are very successful at attracting

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Sustainable FishingPractices1. Always remember to take your rubbish and discarded

shing tackle home with you. Hooks, line, bait bags andother rubbish can endanger wildlife and other visitors.

2. Take only what you need and adhere to all daily bagand size limits.

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Fishing Supplies and

Further InformationFishing tackle can be purchased from Rottnest IslandDive and Snorkel, Rottnest General Store and GeordieBay Store. All three outlets stock a range of tackle for shing around Rottnest Island. Pre-made rigs are alsoavailable for all target species. Rottnest Island Dive andSnorkel has shing rods available for hire and the staff are very knowledgeable about the local shing spots.Staff at the Visitor Centre can provide information onshing, boating and marine activities, and directions of how to get to popular shing spots. Bikes can be hiredfrom Rottnest Island Bike Hire. You can also catch the

Bayseeker Bus to go shing but please be mindfulof other passengers whilst carrying your shing rods.

It is a good idea to take plenty of drinking water with you, check the local weather forecast( b l d ) d

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Rottnest Island

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