King George Whiting

king george whiting
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit5

 

possession limit10

 

boat limit-

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

35cm
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Stock status

Sustainable

Other names

spotted whiting


Scientific name

Sillaginodes punctata

Grows to


Up to

69cm and 5kg

Identifying features


​The largest of the whitings, easily recognised by the dark spotted pattern, often in rows, along the long, slender body. Light brown to brownish black above and silvery belly. The scales are small and the tail fin yellow.

​Habitat

Found around Australia’s southern coast, including in lower numbers in Tasmania, mainly in north and north-eastern waters. Young fish are found around shallow, sheltered areas in large estuaries close to seagrass beds and adults in deeper offshore waters up to 25 metres, often near reefs.

Fishing information

King George whiting are often caught during the day, indicating that they are visual feeders. They have small mouths used to feeding on worms and small crustaceans, so readily take baits such as pipis, marine worms, mussels or squid. Larger fish tend to congregate in sand holes or channels or drop-off areas into deeper water where fish will pass with the tide.

Handling

Release into the water using a dehooker or pliers to remove the hook. Handle carefully using wet hands or cloth as they can lose scales easily.

Cooking

Excellent eating. Easy to scale and they fillet and freeze well. Whiting has low oil content, a delicate flavour and white flesh which flakes easily. Use as fillets or whole fish. Suitable to bake, barbecue, grill, foil bake or shallow fry.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au