Salt water depth chart
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118,164-acre Spencer Gulf. Sector 71 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 71 trip-scale surveyed footprint within Spencer Gulf. Australia's long western gulf, divided from upper tidal flats through major bays and channels to its offshore-facing mouth. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 113 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The drawn water covers 118,164 acres wrapped in 54.2 miles of bank. Nearly circular (index 1.1), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. 1% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 21.9 mi of water from one end to the other, 11.7 mi at the beam. If the bite dies, Spencer Gulf - Sector 78 is 12 mi to the southwest.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| sand flathead (Sand Flathead) | official species listing | — |
| gummy shark (Gummy Shark) | official species listing | — |
| mulloway (Mulloway) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Come spring, look for sand flathead tight to the bank in 8 to 35 ft. Expect a summer slide to 16 to 80 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 35 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 77 ft of water and rates good come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 16 to 80 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (77 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Winter | 8 to 35 ft | dawn | open water | see map |
In spring, gummy shark run shallow here, mostly 8 to 40 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 17 to 113 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 40 ft. Deepest basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 113 ft, rated prime for summer gummy shark. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 17 to 113 ft | dawn & dusk | Deepest basin (113 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 84 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (77 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | see map |
Spring mulloway on Spencer Gulf - Sector 71 hold shallow, usually 5 to 30 ft. By summer they slide out to 14 to 100 ft, and by winter most fish are in 18 to 100 ft. The chart's best answer is Sharp break — drop-off, 91 ft, good for summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 14 to 100 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (91 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 5 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (77 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 100 ft | midday | Sharp break (91 ft) | see map |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deepest basin, sits near 113 ft.
No facility from the cited South Australian boat ramps and marine facilities 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://www.sa.gov.au/topics/boating-and-marine/boat-ramps-and-marine-facilities
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for South Australia waters are set by the PIRSA (current recreational species limits) — and special regulations can apply to Spencer Gulf - Sector 71 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check PIRSA's live species lookup, closures and SA Fishing app before every trip. Snapper remains absent from these page rosters because the current management closure prohibits targeting and catch-and-release in the affected South Australian waters through the stated closure period. Verify all size, boat and possession limits, protected areas, gear controls and local access directions. A contour, spot or access lead never grants fishing, retention, entry, parking or launching permission.
Check the official South Australia fishing regulations →
PIRSA SA Fishing app and live rules →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Spencer Gulf - Sector 71 is about 113 ft (34 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 Primary Industries and Regions South Australia regional evidence informs the sand flathead, gummy shark, mulloway roster for Spencer Gulf - Sector 71. 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.
Deepest basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 113 ft of water that rates prime for gummy shark in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For sand flathead, 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 Spencer Gulf - Sector 71 is regulated by the PIRSA (current recreational species limits). Check the official South Australia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Spencer Gulf - Sector 78 12 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 64 12 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 72 15 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 65 22 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 73 28 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 66 35 mi · Boston Bay - Northwest 44 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 59 45 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 52 55 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 60 55 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 53 61 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 61 67 mi
Browse all South 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.