Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Drone fishing in Western Australia sits under both federal aviation rules and WA-specific land, wildlife and fishing rules. The practical answer can change from one beach or reserve to the next, so treat this as a planning framework and always verify the exact site before every session.
WA drone fishing rules at a glance
| Issue | WA position |
|---|---|
| CASA flight rules | Apply everywhere: visual line of sight (VLOS), 120 m maximum height, 30 m separation from people, daylight-only flying and standard airspace checks |
| DBCA parks | Recreational drone users generally do not need DBCA approval, but site-specific restrictions and all other laws still apply |
| Swan and Canning Riverpark | A permit is required for drone use — confirm the current process on the DBCA site before you fly |
| Marine mammals | DBCA requires 60 m separation from whale sharks, whales, killer whales, dolphins, dugongs and seals (a WA state minimum — some situations call for more distance) |
| Perth metro wire trace | Wire trace is banned within 800 m of shore across Perth metro beaches and the Swan Canning Estuary, which affects shark-targeting drone rigs |
| Fishing | WA species, gear, season, licence and zone rules apply to the fishing activity itself |
CASA still governs the flight
Being on a remote WA beach doesn't remove the national drone rules — they travel with you wherever you launch. Maintain visual line of sight, stay below 120 m above ground level, remain at least 30 m from other people, never fly over crowds or populous areas, fly in daylight only, and check airspace before take-off. In practice, most bait drops happen well under the 120 m ceiling anyway, so height is rarely the limiting factor — it's more about staying disciplined on people separation and line of sight once your attention shifts to the fish.
Flying in WA parks and reserves
WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is clear that park visitors do not need an approval from the department to use drones recreationally in parks, but that doesn't mean every park is automatically open. You still need to comply with CASA's rules, keep well clear of other visitors, avoid disturbing wildlife, avoid creating danger or nuisance, obey any local signage, and check the specific park page before you go. Some locations can be drone-free, so a quick check saves you turning up with gear you can't legally use.
The Swan and Canning Riverpark is a notable exception to the general "no approval needed" position: a permit is required for drone use there. That matters if you're eyeing river and estuary spots around Perth, because it's easy to assume the same relaxed approach applies everywhere metro-adjacent. Check the current permit process with DBCA before you plan a session.
For Perth-specific planning, see our Drone Fishing Perth guide.
Wildlife separation in WA
DBCA states that there is a required separation distance of 60m between a drone and whale sharks, whales, killer whales, dolphins, dugongs and seals. Treat wildlife presence as a genuine go/no-go factor rather than something to fly around — whale migration season along the WA coast is a real planning consideration. Keep in mind that 60 m is the WA state minimum, not a universal figure: in Commonwealth-managed marine areas, or around particular species and situations, greater separation can be required.
Perth metro wire-trace ban and shark-surveillance drones
If you're drone fishing around Perth and chasing sharks or big mackerel, there's a gear rule that catches a lot of anglers out. Since 3 November 2023, restrictions under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 have prohibited the use of wire trace within 800 metres of the shore at all Perth metropolitan beaches — from Tim's Thicket Beach south of Mandurah to 5 km north of Two Rocks Marina, including the Swan Canning Estuary. Wire trace is what lets you land a shark without the mono parting at the gill plate, so in practice this rule takes shark-specific rigs off the table across that whole metro stretch. Mono trace for species like tailor, mulloway, herring, whiting and snapper is unaffected. The ban is gear-based rather than method-based, so using a drone to deliver the bait doesn't get you around it. Similar wire-trace restrictions have since been extended to some regional locations, including the Busselton and Esperance jetty areas, so check the current rules for wherever you're fishing rather than assuming it's a Perth-only issue.
Worth knowing too: Surf Life Saving WA runs shark-surveillance drone operations at patrolled Perth metro beaches. When their drones are working, the sensible move is to keep your own aircraft on the sand — partly courtesy, partly airspace common sense. And it's a firm CASA rule, not just etiquette, that you must not fly your drone over or near an area that would get in the way of a rescue or other emergency operation.
WA fishing rules still control the rig in the water
Use the current WA recreational fishing rules for the exact species, region, season and area you're targeting. Drone deployment doesn't bypass bag limits, protected-species rules, closures, gear restrictions or marine-park zoning — the drone just gets your bait further out; everything else about the catch is governed exactly as if you'd cast it from the sand.
WA pre-flight checklist
- Open a CASA-approved airspace app and check the launch area.
- Check the exact DBCA park or reserve page if you're launching from one.
- If you're in the Swan and Canning Riverpark, sort the required permit first.
- Scan for wildlife and maintain the required separation.
- If you're in the Perth metro zone and targeting sharks, remember the wire-trace ban.
- Check whether SLSWA shark-surveillance drones are operating at your beach.
- Open the current WA fishing rules for your target species and zone.
- Check marine-park zoning and any closures.
- Confirm you can hold VLOS for the full bait-delivery flight.
- Keep the launch area clear of other beach users.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to fly a fishing drone in WA?
Not for recreational flying. Flying purely for fun doesn't require a CASA remote pilot licence (RePL) or operator certificate — you just have to follow the standard operating conditions: VLOS, below 120 m, at least 30 m from people, daylight only, and no flying near emergency operations or in restricted airspace. A mandatory registration scheme for heavier recreational drones has been announced by government in the past but repeatedly deferred, so confirm the current position on casa.gov.au before you rely on it. If there's any payment, sponsorship or business use attached, you move into commercial territory, where drone registration and operator accreditation do apply.
Is drone fishing legal in Western Australia?
Yes. There's no blanket ban on drone fishing in WA — you just need to layer CASA's national flight rules on top of WA's park, wildlife and fishing rules for wherever you're launching from and whatever you're targeting.
Can I fly a drone in WA national parks to go fishing?
Generally yes, without prior DBCA approval, but always check the specific park page first — some reserves carry extra restrictions or drone-free areas, and the Swan and Canning Riverpark requires a permit.
How close can a drone fly to whales or dolphins in WA?
DBCA requires drones to stay at least 60 m away from whale sharks, whales, killer whales, dolphins, dugongs and seals. Treat any sighting as a reason to move your flight path or pack it in, not just to fly around it — and remember greater distances can apply in Commonwealth-managed waters.
Do WA fishing licence rules apply to drone fishing?
Yes, in the sense that all the usual rules apply regardless of how the bait got out there. Bag limits, size limits, closures and gear rules — including the Perth metro wire-trace ban — apply the same whether you cast by hand, by rod or by drone.
Official WA sources
Also read the national Australian drone fishing laws guide and our fishing drones with bait release guide.