Creeks offer a wide variety of habitats across Melbourne and Victoria.
While we think of them as “freshwater” some are also estuary systems supporting a variety of marine life.
So the variety of species available in creek fishing can be quite broad.
While care should be taken eating fish caught in Melbourne metropolitan creeks the regional and country waterways are usually very clean. Often pristine.
Fish species in our creeks include Trout, Redfin, Eels, European Carp and many smaller native species.
Creek Fishing Locations
Bourne Creek Kilcunda
October 14, 2020
Bourne Creek is shallow, fails to flow to the sea and is not really fishable. However, it is located on the spectacular Kilcunda surf beach
Fishing The Diamond Creek
February 21, 2021
The Diamond Creek is largely overlooked by locals when it comes to fishing. While large sections are difficult to access and it is true that
Mordialloc Creek Fishing
October 29, 2020
For catch and release bream fishing Mordialloc Creek is awesome! However, I would not recommend eating the fish you catch here. The creek has a long history of pollution in the water.
Victorian Creeks: Fishing FAQ
Creeks are nearly always narrow waterways. The exception being where they meet the sea in an estuary system where they can broaden out.
Many are permanent and semi-permanent. Others are dry, with water flowing only after rains. Permanent creeks are more likely to be successful for fishing, for obvious reasons.
Because of this they are often relatively shallow and can have a lot more overhanging branches and scrub.
Generally smaller tackle is appropriate. Shorter rods – 6-foot up to 9-foot being the max. Generally the shorter the better.
In freshwater species include imports such as redfin, European carp and trout.
Native species include Murray Cod, Yellowbelly, Blackfish, eels and catfish.
Eels are surprisingly common in suburban creeks around Melbourne. I used to meet a lot of people, decades ago now, who used to target and eat eels. This seems to be less common now. Frequently they’d pickle their catch. Though extreme care must be taken handling eels as their teeth are razor sharp and they’re not afraid to use them. They are also able to live out of the water for extended periods.
In creek estuaries, bream and mullet are common catches.
While whiting, salmon and even pinky snapper can be caught at times.
