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70,463-acre Nickol Bay. Sector 06 Australian saltwater fishing map showing only directly measured AusBathyTopo 2026 cells, source-qualified fishing spots, official regional fish evidence, seasonal forage context, access guidance and current-rule links. Sector 06 trip-scale surveyed footprint within Nickol Bay. A Pilbara bay around Dampier and Karratha, with island channels, reefs, port structure and tidal flats. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 127 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
The outline encloses 70,459 acres, worked by 67.5 miles of shoreline, with a single island in the mix. With a 1.8 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 16% of this chart. Tip to tip the water measures near 19.8 mi with a 10.7-mi widest point. Nickol Bay - Sector 11 sits 12 mi south — the closest neighbouring chart.
Regional occurrence does not mean equal abundance, child-specific catch rate, retention permission or a promised catch. Live state, territory, Commonwealth, protected-area and local rules always control. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| barramundi (Barramundi) | official species listing | — |
| golden snapper (Golden Snapper) | official species listing | — |
| black jewfish (Black Jewfish) | official species listing | — |
| king threadfin (King Threadfin) | official species listing | — |
| queenfish (Queenfish) | official species listing | — |
| giant trevally (Giant Trevally) | official species listing | — |
| mangrove jack (Mangrove Jack) | official species listing | — |
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Spring puts barramundi in skinny water — 2 to 18 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 2 to 18 ft, and winter fish hold in 11 to 35 ft. Sharp break is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 9 ft, rated good for fall barramundi. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (9 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (9 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (9 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (9 ft) | see map |
In spring, golden snapper run shallow here, mostly 8 to 35 ft. Summer keeps them at 8 to 35 ft, and they winter in 21 to 80 ft. Fall golden snapper concentrate at Sharp break, a good-rated drop-off around 47 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (7 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (7 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (78 ft) | see map |
Spring black jewfish on Nickol Bay - Sector 06 hold shallow, usually 8 to 35 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 8 to 35 ft in summer, 21 to 90 ft once it turns cold. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 47 ft that grades good for fall. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (7 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (7 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Sharp break (78 ft) | see map |
Spring puts king threadfin in skinny water — 2 to 16 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 2 to 16 ft, and winter fish hold in 10 to 35 ft. Shallow measured flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring king threadfin. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (7 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (7 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (7 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (9 ft) | see map |
When the water first warms, queenfish slide up into 3 to 25 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 3 to 25 ft, winter 15 to 55 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Sharp break: a drop-off around 9 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (9 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
Spring puts giant trevally in skinny water — 4 to 30 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 4 to 30 ft, and winter fish hold in 18 to 80 ft. Shoreline point is the standout, a point at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring giant trevally. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (47 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (78 ft) | see map |
Nickol Bay - Sector 06 also holds mangrove jack (2 to 18 ft in summer), narrow-barred spanish mackerel (8 to 45 ft in summer), coral trout (8 to 35 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 23 structure features on Nickol Bay - Sector 06; the deepest is Sharp break at about 78 ft.
No facility from the cited Western Australia Department of Transport Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033) source was spatially attached within 3 km of this directly measured map footprint during the 2026-09-08 audit. This is an evidence gap, not a claim that public access is absent. Check the official portal, live site signs, tides, ramp condition, vessel suitability, fees, parking, working-port restrictions and landowner permissions before travel: https://catalogue.data.wa.gov.au/dataset/boat-ramps
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Western Australia waters are set by the WA DPIRD (current recreational-fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to Nickol Bay - Sector 06 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check WA DPIRD's live regional guide, licences, demersal-management measures, species limits, seasonal and spatial closures, marine parks, protected species and permitted gear before every trip. Species available to target can change by bioregion and date; a regional occurrence record is not an open-season signal. A directly measured contour, fishing spot or access lead never grants fishing, retention, port entry, parking or launching permission.
Check the official Western Australia fishing regulations →
WA DPIRD current recreational-fishing guides →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Nickol Bay - Sector 06 is about 127 ft (39 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development regional evidence informs the barramundi, golden snapper, black jewfish, king threadfin, queenfish, giant trevally, mangrove jack, narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Nickol Bay - Sector 06. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
Shallow measured flat is the top-rated area: a feeding flat in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for king threadfin in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For barramundi, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Nickol Bay - Sector 06 is regulated by the WA DPIRD (current recreational-fishing rules). Check the official Western Australia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Nickol Bay - Sector 11 12 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 07 13 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 12 16 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 13 27 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 08 29 mi · Diver Inlet 42 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 09 43 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 14 45 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 10 58 mi · Nickol Bay - Sector 15 58 mi · Claret Bay 66 mi · Forestier Bay 81 mi
See how Nickol Bay - Sector 06 stacks up: best barramundi lakes in Western Australia · best golden snapper lakes in Western Australia · best black jewfish lakes in Western Australia · best king threadfin lakes in Western Australia
Browse all Western Australia fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.