Port Lincoln, SA: The fishing capital of Australia
Find out what makes Port Lincoln in South Australia such as an iconic fishing spot, heralded as the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia.’
With just over a month to go until summer, we’re preparing ourselves and readers for a massive boating and fishing season. And what better place to start the season than in Australia’s seafood capital, also home to the largest fishing fleet in the Southern Hemisphere, Port Lincoln in South Australia (SA).
The City of Port Lincoln is home to 16,000 residents, located on the Lower Eyre Peninsula in SA, about 650km west of Adelaide on the highway or 250km west as the crow flies. Famous for both its fishing and seafood industries, Port Lincoln sits on the edge of the Great Australian Bight (on Boston Bay), opening eastward onto the Spencer Gulf and southward onto the Southern Ocean. This incredible geographic location gifts Port Lincoln its famous natural assets which make it the celebrated location it is.
Apart from seafood and fishing, Port Lincoln is popular for its beautiful wines (in the Peninsulas zone region), once-in-a-lifetime ocean adventures, incredible up-close wildlife experiences, award-winning local tours and a plethora of activities both on and off the water. Keep reading to learn more about this stunning location.
What makes Port Lincoln so special?
Mostly due to its blessed geographic location, sitting on Boston Bay, the largest natural harbour in Australia, and its warm-summer Mediterranean climate, Port Lincoln is a mecca for all things water. Opening onto both the Spencer Gulf and the Southern Ocean, the nutrient-rich waters in this region converge to create a unique natural environment perfect for a variety of fish species. Specifically, it is the Great South Australian Coastal Upwelling System that mingles with the waters of the Spencer Gulf that create these fertile fishing grounds.
It is therefore no surprise that fishing, and by extension seafood, is a massive part of the culture in Port Lincoln, which markets itself as the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia.’ The first fishermen of this region were the Barngarla Aboriginal people who lived by the sea in the warmer months and relied on seafood for survival. They were the first recorded to fish in the area and did so by constructing a network of fish traps in many of the local creeks and shallow bays along the coastline - some of which can still be seen today.
The town is internationally renowned for its Southern Bluefin Tuna, which is exported to a number of countries — the biggest customer notably being Japan for its famous tuna sushi and sashimi dishes. Apart from tuna, Port Lincoln is also famous for and exports the following fresh-farmed and wild-caught species worldwide (among others):
- Bluefin tuna
- Yellowtail kingfish
- Southern rock lobster
- Green lip and black lip abalone
- Spencer Gulf king prawns
- Boston Bay blue mussels
- Pacific and Angasi oysters
If you are wondering what else this incredible location offers, the list of natural attractions and marine encounters is second to only a few in the whole country. The region offers unforgettable experiences such as cage diving with Great White Sharks, interactive swimming with Australian sea lions (SA is home to an estimated 75 per cent of the Australian sea lion population), breathtaking tours of the two national parks in the area — Port Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park, and much more.
An angler’s paradise
It is no secret that Port Lincoln is an angler’s paradise — whether you choose to fish from land or boat. If you’re open to any fishing method, consider the locations below as a starting point for your fishing adventure:
Boat fishing — those fishing from a boat can launch their vessels at marinas at both Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay. Other boat ramps are located at Tumby Bay, North Shields, Port Lincoln, Taylor’s Landing, Port Neill, Coffin Bay and Mt. Dutton Bay. Beach launching is also possible at Louth Bay, Avoid Bay and Farm Beach. (Please note that a 4WD vehicle is necessary for reaching some of the locations.)
Jetty (pier) fishing — for jetty-based anglers, there are countless spots from which to fish in the area, but the two most popular are the Port Lincoln town jetty and the Port Lincoln Tourist Park jetty. Also close to Port Lincoln are the popular jetty-based fishing spots of North Shields, Tumby Bay, Coffin Bay and Mt. Dutton Bay.
Surf, beach and rock fishing — most of the popular beach and rock fishing locations are a short drive from Port Lincoln, with the favourites within the national parks. Just keep in mind you will require an entry permit to fish in these areas and they can be obtained from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre.
What’s biting when?
If you’re not sure which species you can expect to catch during what time of the year, we’ve done some research to make it easier for you. Just have a look at the comparison chart below to determine which fish can be caught when — though keep in mind that most of the species can be caught year-round, however they are most prolific during the mentioned months.
| Species | Best time of year |
| Australian herring (tommy ruff) | All year round |
| Bluefin tuna | December–May |
| Blue swimmer crabs | November–April |
| Bronze whaler sharks | October–May |
| Flathead | All year round |
| Garfish | All year round |
| Gummy and school sharks | All year round |
| King George whiting | All year round |
| Nannygai | All year round |
| Salmon | All year round |
| Samson fish | All year round |
| Snapper | All year round |
| Snook | All year round |
| Southern rock lobster | November–May |
| Squid | All year round |
| Yellowfin whiting | All year round |
| Yellowtail kingfish |
The waters around Port Lincoln are open waters which can get extremely rough, so always check local conditions before launching your boat.
Please also be aware that fishing regulations, size limits and bag limits vary for different species, so be sure to carefully check and carry the latest fishing guide.
Looking for a new boat?
Summer is only a handful of short weeks away and now is the perfect time to buy your new vessel so when the first beautiful weekend hits, you’re ready to launch.
If you’re stuck for options, the range on Trade A Boat is extensive and caters to almost every type of boating need. Check out our range of powerboats, sailboats, marine engines, parts and accessories, sport cruisers, trailer boats and more. With a format that makes comparing online ads a visual breeze and with sellers happy to help answer any inquiries you may have about the products advertised for sale, Trade A Boat makes buying your next boat an easy task.