The Warmies Fishing Times, Tides, Weather & Reports

The Warmies Fishing

The Warmies is a land-based fishing area at Newport

Often treated as part of the Williamstown fishing scene because it sits close to the Williamstown boat ramp. Access is straightforward, with a large car park, public toilets, parkland and BBQ facilities nearby, but the area can become very crowded when the ramp and channel are busy. The fishing area includes the warm-water channel from the Newport power station outflow and, a short walk west, the Yarra River estuary side of the spit, where a low rock wall gives access into the river mouth.

The defining feature is the warmer water that enters the channel when the power station is operating. That temperature change can draw fish into the channel, and surface activity from Australian salmon is worth watching for when it happens. Tide changes are also important because the channel has limited natural fish-holding structure apart from submerged debris. Morning sessions and the period around high tide can be worth prioritising, while mulloway are more of a night target. Spring and summer are useful periods for snapper and warmer-water flathead activity.

This is not a clean, snag-free estuary edge. Both the channel and the Yarra estuary side can claim rigs, so carry enough tackle to re-rig and avoid leaving baits sitting where debris is obvious. The estuary rocks can be useful when the channel is packed, but care is needed on gravel, rocks and edges, and snakes may be present around the spit. The industrial history of the Yarra and Maribyrnong means catch and release is a sensible approach. Fish consumption should stay within EPA-style cautionary advice.

A 7 to 9 foot spinning rod suits most fishing here, with 10 to 20 lb mainline giving useful margin around snags, current, larger snapper and mulloway. Soft plastics and hard-body lures are useful when salmon are busting up; pilchard, whitebait, pipi, prawn, squid and sandworm are all practical bait options.

Why Is It Called Fishing The Warmies or Hotties?

Because the water in the channel is warmer than the water in Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra Estuary.

Essentially, the Newport power station pumps warm water, used to drive its turbines, into the channel via outflow pipes.

That is when the water in the channel rises from as low as 9 degrees to a tropical 22 degrees Celsius.

Unsurprisingly, the fish love this temperature!

In fact, bust-ups of Australian Salmon are pretty common, right inside the channel. Guaranteed to get the pulse pumping.

The fact is that beyond smaller Pinkies, some very large Snapper and Mulloway are caught on occasion.

So the name comes from the water temperature produced when the power station is pumping out water used to cool the turbines. Hence, the Warmies or as some folks know it, the Hotties.

My general preference is not so much the outflow channel of the Newport power station. But the mouth of the Yarra River Estuary is just on the other side of the spit.

The Warmies Fishing Review

The Warmies is a Melbourne land-based fishing hot-spot that has a lot to offer. But I recommend you catch and release. There are historical and occasionally recently released pollutants that reach the Yarra River, settling in the mud where fish feed.

There’s a large car park, public toilets, parkland and BBQ facilities. It’s pretty well serviced. It can also get incredibly overcrowded at times. So it’s important to be respectful of other anglers.

Take care not to cast over lines already out there and crowd other folks out.

Bream, Mullet and the mighty Mulloway can be caught all year round.

Snapper move in during Spring and Summer.

Flathead tends to bite more willingly at the Warmies during the warmer months too.

During the Winter and spring, Australian Salmon and Tailor can be caught.

Some of the best times to fish are when the smokestack at the power station is emitting smoke. That’s when the warmer water is flowing into the channel. This is where the old “When the stacks a blowin’ I know where I’m goin’” quote came from. The area was a real working close factory area. People lived and worked here, and the Newport Power Station pumping warm water was the signal for “fish on.”

Fishing at night is best if you’re targeting Mulloway.

Fish the tide changes in general, as this channel is devoid of fish-friendly structures, beyond submerged debris.

From time to time, some pretty impressive Mulloway and Snapper are taken at the Warmies.

Mulloway is a powerful fish, often growing large in size. Though notoriously challenging to hook and land.

Warmies/Hotties Guide

Pros

-Close and easy access from the City & Western Suburbs

• Family-friendly – children under strict supervision
• Good range of fish habitats and fish species
• In the right conditions, you can target big Snapper
• Big Mulloway at times, particularly at night
• “Reasonable” Unisex Toilets
• Adjoins extensive parkland – so plenty of room for the kids to run

Cons

• Pollution is a real problem in the waterways here.
• Eating fish is not recommended in quantity by the EPA
• Car Parking can be difficult during the Summer season as the boat ramp is extremely popular
• The area can become packed with anglers, particularly when the power station is pumping out water. A lot of snags. Bring plenty of rigs or be prepared to tie new ones.