Fish, Protect, Belong
Connecting Western Australians with trout and freshwater fishing, while protecting the waters and wild places that make it possible.
Join The Club
Our Values
Respect for the fish and the fishery
handling fish well, fishing within the rules, and thinking long-term about the resource.
Respect for land and water
leaving places better than we found them, whether on public land or private property.
Respect for community
welcoming beginners, supporting juniors and families, and sharing what we’ve learned over nearly a century of trout fishing in WA.
Western Australia’s Home of Trout & Freshwater Angling
The Western Australian Trout & Freshwater Angling Association (WATFAA) is a not-for-profit club dedicated to everything freshwater – from family trips to the dams to chasing wild trout in the South West’s forest streams.
For decades we’ve been a key voice for inland anglers in WA, working alongside government, Recfishwest and other partners to grow and protect our trout and freshwater fisheries.
Whether you’re into fly, lure, bait or just watching the kids land their first fish, you’re welcome here.
Our Gallery
blackwood river
waroona dam
capel river
upper warren river
lefroy brook
club dam stillwater fishing
collie river
warren river
small stream
murray river
rainbow trout
carey brook
club dam
bigbrown southwest trophy
wild rainbow
Why Join WATFAA?
Joining WATFAA plugs you into a statewide network of freshwater anglers who care about good fishing and healthy waterways.
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Shared knowledge & support
Learn from experienced anglers, pick up new techniques, and discover spots you might never have found on your own. -
Trips, events & social days
Enjoy organised club outings, social fish-ups and family-friendly events like Troutfest and the Southern Forests trout festivals. -
Have a say in WA’s freshwater future
WATFAA is recognised as a major stakeholder for freshwater fishing in Western Australia, giving members a meaningful voice in decisions that affect our dams and streams. -
Support habitat and stocking work
Membership helps us keep contributing to projects like stream rehabilitation, weed removal and on-ground habitat works that benefit trout and native species alike.
Our Freshwater Fisheries
From karri country streams to stillwater dams
WA’s trout story started in the Pemberton area in the early 1930s, when Cyril “Sticky” Glew and others began experimenting with introducing trout into South West streams. Those early efforts led to the establishment of the Pemberton Trout Hatchery and the modern fishery we enjoy today.
Today, rainbow and brown trout – along with redfin perch – are stocked into selected rivers, streams and dams across the South West, supported by the Pemberton hatchery and community events where families help release fish by hand.
WATFAA members fish:
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Forest streams like Lefroy and East Brook
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Iconic stillwaters such as Drakesbrook Weir, Waroona and Big Brook Dam
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A growing list of private and public waters developed in partnership with landholders and agencies
Conservation & Care for Country
Fishing with a conscience
Good fishing depends on healthy water. WATFAA members take pride in being careful, respectful users of the land and water we access.
As a club, we:
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Support habitat restoration projects, including bank stabilisation and weed removal in key trout waters
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Promote responsible catch-and-release and good fish handling
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Encourage pack-it-in, pack-it-out ethics at all our events and trips
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Work constructively with landowners and managers to maintain access while protecting drinking water catchments and sensitive areas
Joining WATFAA means you’re backing a style of fishing that looks after the fishery for the next generation.