Onkaparinga River Fishing Location Guide
Posted by Tackle World Adelaide Metro on 2nd Jul 2020
The Onkaparinga River is an estuary system in Adelaide’s Southern Suburbs which has great fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
Whether you’re new to fishing or an expert, the solo fisho’ or taking the kids to wet a line; Tackle World Adelaide is here give you the essential shortcuts you need to have a successful day fishing at the Onkaparinga River.
We have got you covered for WHERE to go, WHAT fish species you can catch, and WHEN you can catch them.
The Map:
The map is zoned into coloured sections to ‘break up’ the general areas to fish in the Onkaparinga River.
The terrain changes throughout the river, as do the fish species, and when it is best to target them.
Light Blue:
The Light Blue Section focuses on the lowest reaches of the Onkaparinga River, including the river mouth. Spots 1 and 2 are great places to take kids for bread and butter species and is one of the most easily accessed areas for fishing in the Onkaparinga River.
Spot 1: River Mouth
Salmon - Winter, incoming tide, early morning, late afternoon
Salmon Trout – Year-round, incoming tide
Mullet – Year-round
Bream – Summer
Spot 2: SLSC Footbridge
Salmon Trout – Year-round, incoming tide
Mullet – Year-round
Bream – Year-round
Mulloway – Summer, night
Flathead – Autumn, Winter
Spot 3: Weatherald Terrace
Bream – Summer, Autumn, Winter
Mulloway – Summer, night
Magenta:
The Magenta Section is a great area for fishing during the warmer months. Spots 4 and 5 are also ideal places for children to fish with sandy terrain under foot. Spot 6 requires gumboots or waders as the banks are quite muddy.
Spot 4: Sand Hills
Bream – Summer
Mullet – Spring & Summer
Salmon Trout – Year-round, incoming tide
Spot 5: Saltfleet Bridge
Mulloway – Summer, night, low tide
Salmon Trout – Year-round
Spot 6: Jubilee
Bream – Summer, Autumn
Mulloway - Summer
Dark Blue:
The Dark Blue Section is popular with anglers trying their luck for Mulloway with live bait and soft plastic lures. We recommend gumboots or waders at all 4 spots due to the muddy banks. This area generally fishes best on an incoming tide.
Spot 7: River Road
Mullet – Spring & Summer
Salmon Trout – Year-round, incoming tide
Mulloway – Summer, incoming tide
Spot 8: River Road Bend
Mulloway – Year-round, incoming tide
Bream – Spring, Summer
Spot 9: Seaford Line
Mulloway – Year-round, low tide
Bream – Winter & Spring
Spot 10: Muddy Flats
Bream – Winter, Spring
Red:
The Red Section is another popular stretch of river for Mulloway anglers. Again, the banks are quite muddy, and gumboots or waders are recommended. Spot 11 also has a ramp to launch a Kayak.
Spot 11: Perry’s Bend West Kayak Launch
Mulloway – Spring & Summer, late afternoon
Bream – Year-round
Salmon Trout – Winter & Spring, incoming tide
Mullet - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Spot 12: Perry’s Bend
Mulloway – Spring, Summer, Autumn, night-time
Bream – Year-round
Salmon Trout – Winter & Spring, incoming tide
Mullet - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Spot 13: Perry’s Flats
Mulloway – Spring, Summer, Autumn, low light & night
Bream – Winter, Spring
Salmon Trout – Winter & Spring, incoming tide
Yellow:
The Yellow Section is in the upper reaches of the seawater influenced part of the Onkaparinga River. Lure fishing here is great for Bream and Mulloway. Gumboots or waders are also recommended for this area.
Note: there is a closed season for Bream from the 1st of September to the 30th of November upstream of the South Road Bridge. You may however still chase Mulloway above the South Road Bridge year-round.
Spot 14: Old Rail Bridge
Bream – Year-round
Mullet – Autumn, Spring
Mulloway – Spring, Summer, night
Spot 15: South Road Bridge
Bream – Year-round
Mullet – Autumn, Spring
Mulloway – Spring, Summer, late afternoon, night
Green:
The Green Section covers Old Noarlunga. This area is full of snags and rocks and is notorious for taking fishing rigs and lures.
As touched on previously, there is a closed season for Bream from the 1st of September to the 30th of November upstream of the South Road Bridge which includes the whole of Old Noarlunga. You can still chase Mulloway in Old Noarlunga year-round.
Spot 16: Market Square
Bream - Winter
Mulloway – Summer, night
Spot 17: Old Noarlunga Bridge
Bream – Winter, Summer
Mulloway – Winter, Spring, Summer
Spot 18: Old Noarlunga Football Club
Bream – Winter, Summer
Mulloway – Winter, Spring, Summer
Hopefully, this location guide for fishing in the Onkaparinga River has given you an idea of where to go, what species you can catch, and when to fish for them. If you need further advice, or the right tackle, drop in-store or call us! Our expert staff fish in the Onkaparinga River regularly, and are more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Tackle
World Adelaide Metro
612 Port Road, Allenby Gardens, 5009 SA
(08) 8340 2277
Check out our other Location Guides:
- West Lakes: https://tackleworldadelaide.com.au/social/blog/west-lakes-fishing-location-guide/
- Port River: https://tackleworldadelaide.com.au/social/blog/port-river-land-based-fishing-location-guide/