Overview
Western rock lobster live in limestone reef holes and ledges along the WA coast from Augusta to Exmouth, moving inshore as they mature.
Recreational fishers take them by pot and by diving, both under a licence with strict pot, size and season rules.
The whites run — a mass migration of pale, freshly moulted lobsters — is the traditional peak of the recreational season.
Where to find them
- ▸Limestone reef ledges and holes in 3–30 m.
- ▸Reef edges adjacent to sand patches.
- ▸Inshore reef lines close to the coast in summer.
- ▸Deeper reef in the cooler months.
Tackle
- ▸Gear: licensed rock lobster pots with escape gaps, or dive gear with a snare.
- ▸A measure gauge is legally required and must be carried.
- ▸Marker floats must be correctly labelled.
Tips from the water
- ▸A recreational rock lobster licence is compulsory — check current season dates.
- ▸Measure every lobster and return berried females immediately.
- ▸Set pots on the edge of reef and sand, not deep in the reef.
Regulations
Size, bag and possession limits differ between states and can change each season. Check the current rules with your state fisheries authority before keeping a fish.