Open Year-Round

School Mackerel

Scomberomorus queenslandicus

Also known as: Schoolie, Doggy

DPIRD Category Large Pelagic Finfish
Peak Season Year round
Difficulty Easy
Fight Rating ★★★☆☆
School Mackerel

Regulations & Limits

LARGE PELAGIC FINFISH

Limits by Bioregion

West Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
South Coast N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne OPEN
Min Size 500mm
Individual Limit 3 fish
Mixed Limit Within 3 large pelagic total
✓ Open year-round.
Pilbara N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley) OPEN
Min Size 500mm
Individual Limit 3 fish
Mixed Limit Within 3 large pelagic total
✓ Open year-round.

Good to Know

  • Part of 3 fish mixed large pelagic limit

ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au

Size & Weight

Typical Size40 cm
Max Size65 cm
Typical Weight2 kg
Max Weight5 kg

Habitat

Where: Coastal waters, estuaries, around bait

Depth: 0-30m

ID Features: Blue-green back, silver sides, smaller than Spanish

Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak Available Poor

Peak: Year round | Water Temp: 24 – 30°C

How to Catch School Mackerel

1

Trolling

Setup

  • Line: PE1.5-2 / 10-15kg
  • Leader: 40-50lb wire trace

Top Lures

  • Small bibbed minnows
  • Feathers
  • Chrome slices

Best Baits

  • Pilchards
  • Garfish strips

Eating Quality

★★★☆☆ Good

Flesh: White/pink

Best cooked: Grilled, pan fried

The Fight

★★★☆☆ 3/5

Fast, scrappy

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