Recreational fishing

Map of Solitary Islands Marine Park

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Offshore

Anglers can head to prime fishing locations and target pelagics such as kingfish, trevally, dolphin fish and cobia.
Popular catches include snapper, caught inshore in winter and further offshore in summer, and Spanish mackerel in late summer for a short period.
Find out about fish aggregating devices(FADs) in the area. FAD location and status are updated in the FishSmart NSW app.

Estuary

You can wet a line in some of the state's most pristine estuaries, located in the park's north.

The Sandon, Wooli Wooli and Corindi Rivers offer good fishing for bream, flathead and whiting.
Fish from motorised craft and the increasingly popular fishing kayaks.

Rocks and beaches

Choose from many rock and beach fishing locations. For example, find bream, jewfish and whiting near Coffs Harbour.

The rocky headlands can be steep and exposed so caution is advised when fishing from rocky shores.

Spearfishing

Spearfishing is also popular on the Coffs Coast.

Some keen spearfishers brave the open ocean in search of tuna, dolphin fish and even marlin.
The majority prefer waters of 20 m or less, found around the islands and rock outcrops.
Headlands are recommended for those accessing the park from shore or learning to spearfish.

Several charter fishers operate in the park. Find out more at Go Charter Fishing in NSW.

What you need to know

Before you go fishing, download the FishSmart NSW app or pick up a copy of the Solitary Islands Marine Park User Guide (PDF, 3110.31 KB) and Zoning Map (PDF, 1928.17 KB) online or from local bait and tackle stores, tourist information centres or from the Marine Park office
Some species are protected from fishing or collecting in habitat protection zones. Check out which species you can take in habitat protection zones of Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Spearfishing is not allowed in sanctuary zones. NSW Department of Primary Industries restrict spearfishing in some other areas. You can transit through sanctuary zones with stowed fishing gear, but make sure fishing lines aren't baited and no part of the line is immersed in the water.
If you have fishing gear on your boat when you stop in a sanctuary zone for a picnic or a break, you must have your fishing gear in an unrigged state. That means no part of the fishing line is attached to any hook, artificial lure, artificial fly, swivel or other piece of fishing tackle (other than the reel the fishing line was spooled on).
NSW fishing rules and regulations, including bag and size limits, also apply when fishing in marine parks. Most people fishing in NSW waters need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee.
Make sure you fish safely.