Salmon schools could be spotted as far north as Perth this Easter with a bumper season forecast.
Each autumn millions of Australian salmon arrive in the annual "salmon run" with fishers spending an estimated $300 million each year chasing the sport fish along the south and south-west coastlines.
This year's run is looking like one of the best in recent years with large schools already spotted on the south coast.
Recfishwest operations manager Matt Gillett said more numbers were expected along the west coast this season.
"Some of the factors that drive a good salmon season are really strong capes current, a northward-flowing current that comes from the Southern Ocean and pushes up the west coast," he said.
"And what we're seeing this year has us predicting quite a good season up the west coast … but I'm expecting some good numbers up as far as Perth this year.
"I think this season is going to be better than the past couple of seasons.
"We've had strong Leeuwin currents that push south — they push warm water south, which inhibits the progress of salmon up the west coast, but not this year."
Sport fish fun to catch
The lure of salmon fishing was that the fish are fun to catch, according to Mr Gillett.
"I've had the pleasure of fishing throughout the world and I can tell you that salmon are right up there for me as one of the best sport fish that I can target reasonably. They're very accessible," he said.
"You don't have to have specialist gear. You don't have to own a boat. You can literally buy a cheap rod and reel from your local tackle shop, get a lure or a bag of bait and head down and be in with a great chance."
Ditching 'fishy' reputation
Australian salmon are far less popular than their more sought after relative, Atlantic salmon.
Local salmon can sell for as little as $10 a fish but acclaimed Denmark chef Silas Masih said Australian salmon are delicious when treated right.
"I think salmon has got a bad rap … I think it's fantastic," he said.
"I think it's not as sweet as some other fish that comes out of our beautiful ocean but I love it."
Mr Masih said the taste of salmon was quite strong and needed bleeding out.
He said cutting the bloodline out and freezing quickly was key.
"They're perfect for a green curry … I love it as a ceviche, raw fish salad with some coconut cream, tomato, coriander, chilli, garlic and ginger," he said.
"Fishcakes are brilliant for salmon, making that mixture up and letting all those flavours develop."
Authorities urge salmon fishers to fish from the beach rather than rocks.
Several people have died over the past decade on the state's south coast while rock fishing.
