Fishing in the Kimberley Region

No matter the season in Broome there are plenty of fish to challenge even the most weathered of fishermen. To maintain this abundance, please refer to the bag and size limits and additional fishing regulations stipulated by the Department of Fisheries (WA). These regulations are designed to ensure that fish stocks will remain plentiful into the future.

Crocodile Safety

Salt and freshwater crocodiles are present at many locations in the Kimberley Region. Be crocodile aware. Saltwater crocodiles ARE DANGEROUS. Despite their title they can also be found in fresh water. So keep a few things in mind if you are fishing in crocodile country (if you don’t know, assume you are):

• Do not swim or wade in water, or stand in or near the water to fish.
• Do not dangle arms and legs over the sides of a boat
• Do not clean fish from you boat. On shore, clean fish well away from the water’s edge
• Do not camp near the water’s edge
• Do not let pets near the water’s edge
• Do not ‘routinely’ perform any task at the water’s edge

And remember: in the Kimberley, all crocodiles are protected species. 

Pastoral lease protocol

If you are fishing on, or travelling across, a pastoral lease, be sure to adhere to pastoral lease access rules:

• Request permission from the homestead
• Leave gates and fences as you find them
• Do not light fires
• Take your rubbish with you
• Leave the waterholes, tanks and troughs to the cattle – take your own water supplies.
• Do not take dogs or firearms onto the property without the leaseholder’s permission.

Your Safety & the Environment

• If in doubt, don’t go out!
  
• Let someone reliable know where you are going and when to expect you to return. Travel in pairs on any gravel or muddy roads. A quick shower of rain can turn normally good roads into a quagmire.
  
• Please be cautious when heading out in the boat as we can expect some strong Westerly winds during that can really turn the water into a washing machine and put boaters and anglers at risk. Log your journey with Broome Sea Rescue - These voluteers do a great job of looking after marine safety.
  
• The wind around Broome can blow your plastic bags into the water easily and they can easily kill the resident turtles. Stow all rubbish or better still wrap bait in newspaper.
  
• Stow any tangled or excess fishing line as entaglement with fishing line and tackle is a big killer of bird life in Broome and Australia.

By 1 April 2008, every skipper of a registrable recreational vessel powered by a motor greater than 4.5kwp will be required to hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket.

For additional information on recreational boating and safety, visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (WA) website.

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