St Kilda Boat Ramp is part of the extensive St Kilda … Read More.. about St Kilda Boat Ramp
Victoria, Australia offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Both native and introduced species.
While a lot of saltwater fishing takes place in and around Port Phillip and Western Port Bays there are many other coastal and freshwater fishing spots worth investigating.
Browse the Victorian fishing resources below – and you can also check out our Victorian Fishing FAQ.
Altona Boat Ramp Fishing Tips Altona boat ramp is a great place to launch a boat, be it a fishing boat, tinny or even kayak. Excellent bay access to some equally excellent fishing areas. As of October 2019 boat ramp launching and car parking is free. Launching from Altona boat ramp gives you access to [...]
Note, that I have not personally used Blueys Boat Hire services. As such I cannot make any specific personal recommendations one way or the other. I have observed the Bluey’s hire boats operating while I’ve been fishing on the Mordialloc Pier. Their customers seem cheery enough. The Google reviews for this service are nearly all positive. Billed [...]
Ferguson Street Pier, being close to the city of Melbourne, means it can get crowded – especially weekends. However, during the week and cooler weather, it can be a great spot. You’ll see a lot of kids targeting mullet at times. But don’t be fooled by that. Some sizeable snapper and even gummy sharks are [...]
Altona Pier Fishing Tips Altona Pier, in recent times, had an artificial reef placed just off the end of the pier. That’s the facing south end looking out into Port Phillip Bay. The reef is designed to improve fish stocks in the locality of the pier by providing a structural habitat. The deepest part of the [...]
Mordialloc Pier is a beautiful long pier extending 174 metres (570.86 feet).
Port Melbourne is the closest Port Phillip Bay fishing to the city. Many of the local fishing spots are shared with commercial activity. Being Melbourne’s principal port the navy, ferry service to Tasmania and container ships use the area. As such some areas are off-limits permanently, while others close according to usage. For example, Station [...]
Fishing Portarlington Pier Fishing Tips Portarlington Pier is a great, comfortable pier to fish. Good water depth. A nice reef just off the far end. Portarlington is located just on the within Corio Bay, which is a part of Port Phillip Bay and not that far from Port Phillip Heads. It can be busy during the summer [...]
Fishing Sandringham has proven to be very successful for me. Sandringham is a bayside suburb located on Melbourne’s beautiful Port Phillip Bay. In the right conditions, the fishing has been good if not excellent at times. It’s easy to overlook as it’s not visible from the road. Home of the Sandringham Yacht club. It sports [...]
St Kilda Pier has seen some pretty major modifications in the last 20 years. It’s still a major icon on Port Phillip Bay and is rich in history. Going back to 1853! The addition of a rock wall and the harbour adjoining it significantly altered the longshore drift. That’s to say – the currents that deposit sand and [...]
Fishing Werribee River Entrance Fishing Tips Werribee River Entrance, located in Werribee South, offers a pier on the estuary, a boat ramp and beach fishing. Bream is the target most often sought by shore-based anglers on the pier. Flathead from the beach – and the pier – and whiting being the other species of interest. [...]
As of October 1st 2019, all public boat ramps and associated trailer parking areas are free in Victoria.
Some private boat ramps will charge a fee at their discretion.
One of the most popular saltwater species is Snapper. Both excellent fighting and table fish. After that, there’s several species of flathead and whiting. As well as gummy shark, snook, blue-fin tuna, Australian Salmon and Tailor.
In the saltwater targeting Squid (Calamari) is popular.
In freshwater anglers often target introduced species such as Brown and Rainbow Trout, Redfin (English Perch) and the perennial pest – the European Carp.
Native freshwater species include the ubiquitous Murray Cod, Yellow Belly and native catfish.
Some anglers target the elusive river Blackfish. Many seek freshwater crayfish and their distant, smaller cousins, Yabbies (similar to the Crawfish found in the USA).
A current fishing license is required in order to fish in Victoria. There are some exceptions such as persons under 18, persons over 70, aged and disability pensioners and indigenous persons.
For complete details – and/or to obtain a license online please see the VFA website.
Some Victorian waters contain species that are considered dangerous – or require care when handling.
Certain shark species such as White Pointers occur in some waters, particularly in areas with seal populations and many ocean beaches. They are not often seen in Port Phillip or Western Port bays. Smaller shark species can, however, pose a threat, so care should be taken.
Shark species such as gummy sharks are harmless.
Many of the stingray species can inflict serious and fatal injuries.
Many target species have sharp spines that can cause significant damage. Species such as flathead have spines on their gill plates that contain a mild venom – so care should be taken handling them. Flathead is, however, perfectly safe to eat – and are very tasty.
The toad-fish – or pufferfish – is extremely toxic to eat.
The blue-ringed octopus, while very small in size, has a bite that contains a powerful venom and is extremely dangerous.
Note that while many of these creatures – such as pufferfish – may be undesirable by-catches they are in fact all protected species and must be left unharmed. If caught they are required by law to be returned safely and as quickly as possible to the water.