The Port River is Adelaide’s largest estuary system in Adelaide’s North-West 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 days fishing land-based at the Port 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 sections to ‘break up’ the general areas to fish in the Port 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 highest reaches of the Port River. Spot 1’s terrain is mostly rock and is quite slippery at low tide. This spot is also the West Lakes Outlet, where water pours into the Port River a few hours either side of low tide. Spots 2 and 3 are very terrain friendly as it is concreted. Parking is available within 50m of all spots.

Spot 1: Bower Road

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter

Bream – Year-round

Mulloway – Year-round

Garfish - Autumn

Spot 2: Jervois Bridge

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring

Bream – Year-round

Mulloway – Summer, Night

Kingfish - Spring

Spot 3: Birkenhead Bridge

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring

Bream – Year-round

Mulloway – Summer, Night

Magenta:

The Magenta Section is close to the centre of Port Adelaide. Spot 4 is an ideal place for children to fish with good quantities of small species to target on the hard sandy terrain. Spot 5 is high in relation to the water and it is quite deep. The current can be strong.

Spot 4: Birkenhead Beach

Bream – Summer, Autumn

Mullet – Autumn

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring - incoming tide

Spot 5: Tom ‘Diver’ Derrick Bridge

Mulloway – Summer, Autumn - Night, Low-tide

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring

Bream – Year-round

Dark Blue:

The Dark Blue Section includes some of the most popular spots in the Port River. Spot 6 is much like spot 4 as it has hard sandy terrain with plenty of small species on offer during an incoming tide. You can fish out of your car at the Torrens Island Fisherman’s Wharf (Spot 7).

Spot 6: Snowdens Beach

Mullet – Autumn, Winter – incoming tide

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring - incoming tide

Bream – Summer, Autumn - incoming tide

Spot 7: Torrens Island Wharf

Bream – Year-round

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring

Red:

The Red Section includes the Torrens Island Hot Water Outlet (Spot 8) which pumps out hot water into the river and it can fire up the fishing, particularly in the cooler months. The current races at Spot 9 which is ideal for Salmon Trout and the occasional Kingfish. Both spots 8 and 9 are rocky terrain. Spot 10 is the Garden Island Jetty which is easy to access for all.

Spot 8: Torrens Island Hot Water Outlet / Power Station

Mulloway – Autumn, Winter, Spring - Low tide

Bream – Year-round

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring

Spot 9: Torrens Island Bridge

Bream – Year-round

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring - Incoming tide

Mulloway – Summer, Autumn – Low-tide

Kingfish – Spring

Spot 10: Garden Island Jetty

Bream – Year-round

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring - incoming tide

Mullet - Summer, Autumn

Yellow:

The spots in the Yellow Section are all similar as they are part of the main channel in the lower reaches of the Port River. Spot 11 and 12 are within 20m of nearest parking. Spot 13 has a few hundred metres of access to the left of the nearest car park. Spot 13 is best accessed by car with reasonable clearance as it is a dirt road riddled with pot-holes.

Spot 11: Veitch Road

Bream – Spring, Summer, Autumn

Mullet – Autumn

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring – incoming tide

Spot 12: Mutton Cove

Bream – Spring, Summer, Autumn

Mullet – Autumn

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter – Incoming tide

Spot 13: Snapper Point

Bream – Summer

Mullet – Autumn

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring – Incoming tide

Green:

The Green Section covers Outer Harbor. *Spot 14 is now inaccessible. Spot 15 has the huge rock wall and some fishing platforms which are safe, and easy to access.

Spot 14: Outer Harbor Boat Ramp (inaccessible, 2020)

Spot 15: Outer Harbor

Squid – Year-round - Early morning, Late afternoon – Clear water

Salmon Trout – Autumn, Winter, Spring

Blue Swimmer Crabs – Spring, Summer, Autumn

Flathead – Year-round

Bream – Year-round

Tommies – Year-round

Snook - Summer

Mulloway – Summer

Hopefully, this location guide for fishing land-based in the Port 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 Port 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:

- Onkaparinga River: https://tackleworldadelaide.com.au/social/blog/onkaparinga-river-fishing-location-guide/
- West Lakes: https://tackleworldadelaide.com.au/social/blog/west-lakes-fishing-location-guide/