Recreational Fishing

Fishing in Hardwicke Bay can be by boat or of the land. Boat launching facilities are at:

Hardwicke Bay – beach launch with tractor or 4WD at the south end of township – no charge
Port Minlacowie – concrete boat ramp accessible by 2WD. If staying in Hardwicke Bay it is 6km North of township along Moores Drive - no charge
Point Turton – boat ramp and fish cleaning facilities in front of the Caravan park – fees apply

For fishing off the beach you can drive south along the beach, from the boat launching area, and find a gutter and try your luck. It can be a beautiful day out for families, pack a lunch and take some shade. The kiddies will love paddling in the water while Mum and Dad have a go at fishing. Just remember that this part of the beach is considered as a road and all road rules apply. Make sure you park your car up off the main thoroughfare and you are sure to have a great time.

BAG LIMITS AND EQUIPMENT
We recommend that you check bag limits and legal equipment by using the link www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing. While on the site you may wish to download the ‘Fishwatch’ app which provides a 24/7 service if you need to clarify size, bag limit of a species you catch that you are not familiar with... plus much more.

BOATING
South Australia has almost 5,500km of coastline and a host of opportunities for boating enthusiasts. Our 19 marine parks provide some beautiful scenic locations to enjoy from your boat. The parks have been designed to protect not only our environment for future generations, but also the enjoyment of our unique natural beauty and resources for today.

There are many opportunities to take your boat to locations as diverse as they are beautiful. The state’s two gulfs are filled with seagrass beds, islands and deep water that attract a host of marine mammals. The coastline runs from the endless beaches of the Coorong through to the rugged coastline of the far west.

Boating activities in our marine parks include:

Fishing - Take your boat out into either of South Australia’s two gulfs and try to land a snapper or King George whiting.

Cruising and exploring - One of the advantages for boat owners in a marine park is that at times you can be isolated, allowing a full appreciation of the diverse and beautiful marine environment.

Diving - There’s simply no better way to experience South Australia’s marine parks than exploring the many reefs, shipwrecks and other underwater wonderlands that lie beneath the waves.

Pleasure boating and water sports - Enjoy the open space of open water through a range of water activities from jetskiing through to wakeboarding and skiing.

Boat fishing for King George whiting - one of the best table fish in Australia - in fishing grounds from the West Coast (the West Coast Bays Marine Park) to Lower Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. Visit www.marineparks.sa.gov.au for maps of marine parks.

Make sure you’re aware of any seasonal closures - PIRSA's recreational fishing web page can help www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing

For more information and to ensure your boating trip is safe, fun and unforgettable, view the list of our marine parks or the OnDeck website.

Three things boaties need to know about sanctuary zones:

For general recreational boating you can travel through and even anchor in a sanctuary zone. While you can’t fish in a sanctuary zone from 1 October 2014, you can take fishing gear and fish caught elsewhere through a zone.

Sanctuary zones are about enjoying the marine life in many different ways and are a great place to view the beauty underwater by diving or snorkelling.

The sanctuary zones protect our environment in many ways. If you are in a sanctuary zone in your boat, please don’t leave any rubbish behind. Boats are also required to not pump out bilge water, and you can’t wash down your vessel and leave the wash-down water behind.

FOR ALL BOAT AND MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THIS SA GOVERNMENT WEBSITE.

FISHING
Fishing restrictions in sanctuary zones start on 1 October 2014.

Fishing in South Australia offers an exciting challenge for everyone - from the novice and families through to the seasoned angler. Fishing experiences in marine parks include the raw power of surf beaches, your own closely-held offshore spot, or casually fishing from a jetty or breakwater with the kids.

Fishing in the surf for mulloway from the beach in the Coorong (in the Upper South East Marine Park) or on the Far West Coast beaches (in the Far West Coast Marine Park)
Fishing on the beach for salmon at Waitpinga Beach (in the Encounter Marine Park), Locks Well (near the Investigator Marine Park or Browns Beach (in the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park)
Fishing for squid off the jetty at Second Valley (in the Encounter Marine Park)
Boat fishing for snapper in Backstairs Passage (in the Encounter Marine Park)
Boat fishing for King George whiting - one of the best table fish in Australia - in fishing grounds from the West Coast (the West Coast Bays Marine Park) to Lower Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

When heading out to fish in a marine park, it’s important to be responsible. While there are no licences required to fish in a marine park, you do need to make sure you are fully equipped with the knowledge to make your fishing adventure not only a fun one, but a safe and responsible one.

Five tips for responsible fishing in a marine park:

Be aware of the sanctuary zones. Respect the areas where you can and can’t fish. Sanctuary zones do not allow you to remove any fish and also have regulations about boat cleaning and releasing bilgewater
Be aware of other marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and dolphins and the prolific seabird life
Make sure you know about catch limits and legal lengths for the fish species you are targeting
Teach any children in your group the importance of ocean safety
Make sure you’re aware of any seasonal closures - PIRSA's recreational fishing web page can help.