Fishing Hillarys
Fisheries management across Hillarys strictly enforces DPIRD regulations and Marmion Marine Park zoning, including specific sanctuary zones where line fishing is strictly prohibited. Boat-based fishers targeting demersal species must observe the West Coast Demersal Scalefish closure running through September 2027, though shore-based anglers remain exempt and can legally target Pink Snapper from outer breakwalls. Protecting marine park nursery zones ensures healthy local fish populations.
Land-based anglers enjoy excellent infrastructure along the Hillarys Boat Harbour outer breakwalls, Ocean Reef seawall, and Mindarie Marina rocks. Casting heavy patternoster rigs or whole pilchards off Hillarys north breakwall during winter storms produces heavy Pink Snapper, Samson Fish, and Australian Salmon. Family anglers inside Hillarys harbour target Herring, Silver Trevally, and Southern Calamari from paved boardwalks.
Boating fishers launching from Hillarys Boat Harbour, Ocean Reef, or Mindarie Keys gain direct access to Marmion Marine Park and offshore reefs. Drifting shallow weed-and-sand patches in 10 to 20 metres depth accounts for heavy catches of Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Offshore craft targeting Little Island bommies or Centaur Reef in 25 to 40 metres depth troll for Samson Fish, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Southern Rock Lobster.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- HILLARYS HARBOUR NORTH BREAKWALL: Massive granite rock wall protecting Hillarys Boat Harbour, offering deep-water access for Pink Snapper and Australian Salmon. Cast long-distance patternoster rigs baited with whole squid or pilchards into ocean waters on a rising tide. Sturdy footwear with rubber soles is mandatory when negotiating large granite boulders.
- HILLARYS HARBOUR BOARDWALK JETTIES: Sheltered inner harbour platform offering comfortable family fishing for Herring, Silver Trevally, and Southern Calamari. Fish fine monofilament lines with small running sinker rigs baited with fresh squid or tube worms near pylon bases. Late afternoon periods produce steady action on squid using size 2.5 jigs.
- OCEAN REEF SEAWALL ROCKS: Granite breakwater protecting Ocean Reef harbour, providing productive casting for Tailor, Tarwhine, and Herring. Work 30g to 40g metal casting spoons into white-water foam during early morning hours. Watch for heavy ocean swells breaking across low rock platforms during winter storms.
- MINDARIE MARINA BREAKWALL: Rugged rock wall located north of Hillarys, offering deep-water access for Pink Snapper, Australian Salmon, and Calamari. Cast baited float rigs or small metal lures into deep water channels on an incoming tide. Observe harbour security signage and stay on designated walking pathways.
- TRIGG BEACH SURF GUTTERS: Ocean beach flanked by natural limestone reef platforms, famous for autumn Australian Salmon and summer Tailor. Cast 12-foot surf rods with 3-way patternoster rigs baited with fresh pilchard blocks into deep blue water holes at dusk. Always check swell heights before fishing near exposed reef platforms.
Offshore
- MARMION MARINE PARK LIMESTONE REEFS: Extensive offshore limestone reef system sitting 2 to 5 nautical miles off Hillarys in 12 to 25 metres depth. Prolific bottom fishing territory for drifting light tackle rigs for King George Whiting, Tarwhine, and setting crayfish pots for Southern Rock Lobster. Respect designated marine sanctuary zones where fishing is prohibited.
- LITTLE ISLAND BOMMIES: Prominent underwater rock reef situated 2 nautical miles off Hillarys harbour mouth in 15 metres depth. Vertical jigging 150g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures triggers aggressive strikes from Samson Fish and Yellowtail Kingfish. Anchor upwind and establish a continuous berley trail to raise pelagics.
- CENTAUR REEF SYSTEM: Outer limestone reef ledge sitting in 25 to 35 metres depth west of Ocean Reef. Outstanding ground for drifting whole squid baits for Silver Trevally and Pink Snapper during open fishing windows. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions before sea breezes chop up return runs.
- THREE MILE REEF RIDGE: Long offshore limestone ridge running parallel to the northern suburbs coastline in 18 to 28 metres depth. Prolific territory for drifting light tackle rigs for trophy King George Whiting and large Southern Calamari. Use a drift chute to slow vessel speed during breezy conditions.
- MINDARIE OUTER BOMMIES: High-energy ocean pinnacles situated 4 nautical miles off Mindarie Marina in 20 to 30 metres depth. Trolling high-speed minnow lures or surface poppers along current lines triggers chaotic strikes from Samson Fish and Yellowtail Kingfish. Ocean swells break heavily over shallow outer ledges.
Hot Spots
- HILLARYS BOAT HARBOUR: WA's premier northern marina delivering trophy land-based Pink Snapper, Salmon, and Calamari.
- MARMION MARINE PARK: Protected marine reef network world-renowned for Southern Rock Lobster, Whiting, and Kingfish.
- OCEAN REEF SEAWALL: High-action ocean granite platform holding Tailor, Tarwhine, and Pink Snapper.
- MINDARIE MARINA: Picturesque northern harbour providing easy boat launching and land-based rock casting.
- TRIGG REEF SURF GUTTERS: Iconic ocean beach drop-off famous for autumn Australian Salmon and summer Tailor.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats inside Sorrento and Mullaloo beach shallows. Position the pump over visible air holes in damp sand, pull the plunger rapidly, and empty sediment into a sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper with sea spray to maintain high vitality on the hook.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged granite boulders and timber pylons around Hillarys Boat Harbour and Ocean Reef breakwall at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a heavy putty knife and collect into a bucket lined with damp kelp. Fresh crushed mussels represent lethal bait for King George Whiting and Silver Trevally.
- SEA WORMS: Extracted from damp intertidal sandflats along Mullaloo and Whitfords beaches at low tide using a flat garden fork. Carefully turn over muddy sand near weed margins and gather live worms into shallow sand buckets. Store away from heat to maintain natural wriggling action.
- LIVE OCTOPUS & SQUID: Targeted over shallow seagrass beds in Marmion Marine Park using size 2.5 to 3.0 cloth-wrapped squid jigs. Cast jigs across sand-and-weed junctions on light fluorocarbon trace and retrieve with steady lifts. Live squid rigged whole on twin snelled hooks are unmatched for land-based Pink Snapper off Hillarys breakwall.
Boat Ramps
- Hillarys Boat Harbour Ramp:
Located inside Hillarys Boat Harbour off Ocean Reef Road and Hepburn Avenue, Hillarys WA 6025. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a premier 6-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with central floating universal access pontoon jetties. Protected by massive granite breakwaters, providing effortless launching into Marmion Marine Park across all weather conditions. Facilities include an extensive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public toilet/shower amenities, stainless-steel fish cleaning tables with running water, wash-down bays, marine fuel wharf, service slipway, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public access.
- Ocean Reef Boat Harbour Ramp:
Located off Ocean Reef Road at Ocean Reef Boat Harbour, Ocean Reef WA 6027. Managed by the City of Joondalup and DoT WA. Features an 8-lane concrete boat ramp equipped with central floating pontoon jetties, undergoing major redevelopment under the Ocean Reef Marina Project. Provides direct deep-water launching into the Indian Ocean for northern suburbs anglers targeting offshore limestone reefs and pelagics. Facilities include a sealed bitumen carpark with trailer bays, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, wash-down taps, and lighting. Free public launch access.
- Mindarie Keys Marina Boat Ramp:
Located inside Mindarie Marina off Anchorage Drive, Mindarie WA 6030. Managed by the City of Wanneroo and DoT WA. Features a dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon jetty. Protected by outer marina rock breakwalls, providing safe launching into northern ocean waters and outer bommies. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, marine fuel wharf, and adjacent marina boardwalk dining. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Bluewater Tackle World Hillarys: 3/2 Kingsway, Hillarys WA 6025 - Ph: (08) 9246 3888
- Compleat Angler Nedlands / Joondalup: 1 Layout Rd, Joondalup WA 6027 - Ph: (08) 9300 0000
- BCF Joondalup: 1 Balcatta Rd, Joondalup WA 6027 - Ph: (08) 9301 4200
- 7-Eleven Hillarys (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 112 Hepburn Ave, Hillarys WA 6025 - Ph: (08) 9246 1100
Basecamp & Accom
- Hillarys Harbour Resort: 68 Southside Dr, Hillarys WA 6025 - Ph: (08) 9246 8888
- Quality Resort Sorrento Beach: 1 Padbury Rd, Sorrento WA 6020 - Ph: (08) 9246 8100
- Karrinyup Waters Resort: 467 Karrinyup Rd, Gwelup WA 6018 - Ph: (08) 9447 6665
Emergency & Safety
- Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group (VMR 600): Hillarys Boat Harbour, Hillarys WA 6025 - Ph: (08) 9401 3757 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
