Fishing Swan & Canning River Flats For Bream

The Swan and Canning Rivers in Perth, Western Australia, offer some excellent flats for targeting bream, particularly on light tackle. These productive river systems provide diverse habitats that attract bream, offering plenty of accessible spots for anglers. Here’s a guide to some of the best flats in the Swan and Canning Rivers for bream fishing:


Swan River Flats for Bream Fishing

Point Walter Flats
Located near Bicton, the expansive sand and mud flats at Point Walter are renowned for bream fishing, especially as the tide comes in and fish move into the shallows. Bream are often found patrolling these flats, feeding on crustaceans and small fish that hide in the sand and weed beds. Fishing here can be productive, especially during early morning or late afternoon when bream are more active.

Claremont Flats
The Claremont area offers extensive shallow flats that are productive for bream, particularly in warmer months. This location is ideal for wading anglers who want to get close to feeding fish, with bream often found around weed beds and small sand patches where they forage for food. Soft plastics and small hardbody lures work well here, mimicking the natural prey of the bream in this area.

Applecross Flats
Located near Applecross Jetty, these flats are another prime location for targeting bream in the Swan River. Bream are known to frequent these flats in search of small crustaceans, and fishing around the jetty structure and nearby flats can yield good catches. The area is especially productive during tidal changes when bream are drawn into the shallows.

Pelican Point Flats
Adjacent to Matilda Bay, Pelican Point is popular for anglers seeking bream. The clear waters provide great sight fishing opportunities, allowing anglers to observe fish movement in shallow water. Look for bream near seagrass beds and rocky outcrops, where they search for small shrimp and baitfish. A stealthy approach is essential here, as the clear water can make bream wary of anglers.

Mosman Bay Flats
In the Mosman Park area, these flats offer a diverse habitat for bream, with sandy patches and rocky structures. This area is productive for bream during tidal changes, when fish move onto the flats to feed. Cast along the edges of flats and near any visible structure, as bream tend to use these areas for cover and as ambush points.

Blackwall Reach Flats
Near Blackwall Reach cliffs, these flats are popular for bream fishing, especially along the edges where the flats transition to deeper water. This area is productive during tidal movements, with bream feeding on small baitfish, crustaceans, and other prey that move in with the tide. Cast close to the rock structure or sand patches along the edges for the best results.

Canning River Flats for Bream Fishing

Salter Point Flats
Salter Point offers some productive flats along the Canning River for bream fishing. Bream frequent this area to forage on small crabs and prawns hidden in the mud and sand. These flats are accessible to wading anglers, and targeting the edges during rising and falling tides can produce great results.

Mount Henry Bridge Flats
Near the Mount Henry Bridge, these flats attract bream that forage on the small crustaceans and baitfish near the structure. Fishing here is productive during tidal changes, especially at dawn and dusk. Casting soft plastics or lightly weighted baits close to the bridge structure and nearby flats can yield good catches of bream.

Shelley Foreshore Flats
Located near Shelley Foreshore, these flats provide excellent bream fishing opportunities, particularly for shore-based anglers. The flats are lined with seagrass beds and sandy patches, which provide ideal foraging grounds for bream. The area is best fished during high tides when bream move in closer to the shore.

Riverton Bridge Flats
Around Riverton Bridge, these flats offer access to bream, which are attracted to the abundant food and cover found here. This area is particularly productive in warmer months, as bream move into the shallows to feed. Focus on casting near weed beds and the edges of the flats, especially when the tide is rising.

Bull Creek Flats
Near the Bull Creek area, these flats are known for bream fishing, with plenty of drop-offs and channels that create favorable conditions for the fish. Bream use these channels to move in and out of the flats during tidal movements, and they often hunt along the edges where there’s cover and food. Soft plastics, crab imitations, and small hardbodies work well in this area.


Tips for Targeting Bream on the Flats

- **Timing**: Bream are generally more active during dawn and dusk, but tidal changes can also significantly impact their feeding behavior. Rising and falling tides are ideal times to fish as they bring in fresh food sources, drawing bream into the shallows.

Stealth: Bream are cautious fish, particularly in clear water conditions. When wading, move slowly and quietly to avoid spooking them. Avoid casting large shadows or splashing too much, as bream are quick to detect disturbances.

Tackle: Light tackle is ideal for bream on the flats. Use a 1-3 kg rod and 2000-2500 size reel for an enjoyable fight on light gear. A light fluorocarbon leader (around 6-8 lb) provides abrasion resistance while remaining less visible to the fish.

Lures: Soft plastics, small hardbodies, and crab or prawn imitations are effective on the flats. Natural colors like brown, olive, and clear are ideal, as they mimic the bream’s natural prey in these habitats.

Presentations: Slow, steady retrieves with occasional pauses or subtle twitches are often effective for enticing bream on the flats. Bottom-hopping soft plastics or suspending hardbody lures near structure can also trigger strikes.




Fishing the flats of the Swan and Canning Rivers for bream provides anglers with an exciting and accessible experience, combining light tackle with the thrill of catching cautious, hard-fighting fish in shallow water. By understanding the unique habitats and behaviors of bream on these flats, anglers can enjoy productive days on the water while connecting with Western Australia’s beautiful river systems.