Land-Based Fishing around Melbourne offers you the chance to fish without a boat – or when using a boat is risky or too much hassle.
Both freshwater rivers, creeks and lakes to the saltwater bays, estuaries and surf beaches. There’s a range of easy and challenging environments to get out there and GetFished!
You can choose to fish light for smaller species like Mullet, Bream, Flathead or Redfin or set yourself up for bigger targets like Snapper, Mulloway and Murray Cod.
You can even finesse fish for species like Trout and Chinook Salmon.
Land-based Locations
Gem Pier Fishing – Just 5 km From Melbourne CBD
Gem Pier in Williamstown is steeped in history. So if you’d like to try an awesome experience of mixing fishing along with some fantastic Melbourne history – give Gem…
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Portarlington – Fantastic 4 Seasons Fishing
Portarlington fishing goes right back to the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Where people would come by ferry to the township to take a holiday.…
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Pier Fishing Victoria
10 Best Pier Fishing Locations In Melbourne & Victoria Victorian Piers Map Piers: Fishing Melbourne & Victoria FAQ
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Sandringham Fishing – The Rock Wall & Anchorage
Sandringham fishing largely centres around the rock wall and the Anchorage. The area has proven to be very successful for me. Sandringham is a bayside suburb located…
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Wyndham Harbour Fishing The Rock Wall
Wyndham Harbour Rock Wall fishing is a relatively new option as it’s a pretty part of Werribee South. The rock wall, however, is certainly producing fish. It allows you…
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Diamond Creek
Diamond Creek fishing is largely overlooked by locals when it comes to locals, let alone people from other areas of Melbourne. While large sections are difficult to access…
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The Warmies Fishing
The Warmies fishing hotspot is considered to be one of the finest spots for fishing in Melbourne, by many. I’ve got to admit I love fishing…
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Werribee River Fishing
Fishing Werribee River has increasingly become a better option in recent years. The efforts by the Victorian Fisheries Authority to stock the river with species like…
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Werribee South Fishing – River Entrance
Werribee South fishing offers the Werribee South Pier on the estuary, Werribee South Boat Ramp, and more fishing at the Werribee South beach. As well as the adjacent Wyndham Harbour rock wall. One…
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Sugarloaf Reservoir Fishing
Sugarloaf Reservoir isn’t too far from Melbourne, Victoria. Located in the outer North East near Christmas Hills. In fact, it is quite near me, being only…
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Sweeneys Flats Fishing – Eltham
Fishing Sweeneys Flats Eltham is a well-known hotspot to locals. With its bushland setting sitting on the Yarra River it offers a number of freshwater habitats for…
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Plenty River Fishing
Plenty River fishing can be challenging. The banks can be steep. The water is often very shallow. The Plenty River stretches from the Great Dividing Range as a stream.…
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Powlett River Fishing
The Powlett River Estuary, five minutes from the township of Kilcunda, is often blocked to the sea. Causing it to form a wide, shallow lake. The estuary, however, is…
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Werribee South Beach
The Werribee South Beach extends from the Werribee River mouth north to the rock wall at Wyndham Harbour. The beaches to the south of the river are off-limits due to Melbourne Water boards usage. The…
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Kilcunda Fishing
Fishing Kilcunda and surf fishing are synonymous. I’ve fished here for Australian Salmon, Tailor and even Gummy Sharks since 1979! It’s well worth a visit. There’s some…
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Portarlington Beach Fishing
For the purposes of fishing Portarlington beach, we can divide it up into several sections. South of the Portarlington Pier and Portarlington rock wall. I’ve not fished this beach, focussing…
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St Kilda Pier Fishing
St Kilda Pier Fishing on a warm summers night was how I started targetting flathead and pinkies as a teenager. St Kilda Pier has seen…
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Fishermans Bend Fishing
The Yarra Estuary on the Port Melbourne side of the river is often known as “Fishermans Bend.” As you might suspect from the name it’s a good spot to…
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Lagoon Pier Fishing
Lagoon Pier fishing is considered to be all year round. Because it’s so close to the city it can get busy at times. I’ve tended…
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Kerferd Road Pier Fishing
Kerferd Road Pier fishing offers a simple, easy to access pier that produces the usual fishing species on Port Phillip Bay. Snapper, Flathead, Flounder, Trevally, Mullet…
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Station Pier Fishing
Station Pier is currently closed to the public for fishing. It is not known if they pier will reopen for this purpose. Station Pier is…
Find Out MoreMelbourne Land-Based Fishing Review Summary
Melbourne’s Land-Based fishing is probably the most common way to wet a line.
Popular choices include Piers, Beaches, Rivers, Creeks and lakes. Most of which can be fished from the land.
Common saltwater species caught include flathead, pinky snapper, silver trevally and black bream.
While in freshwater Murray Cod, Trout, Redfin and even European Carp are popular target species that can be found in many rivers such as the Yarra.
Melbourne Land-based Target Fish Species
| Fish Species | Quick Info |
|---|---|
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Percalates novemaculeata |
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Arripis trutta |
All Year Round Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. |
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Acanthopagrus butcheri |
All Year Round. But much more prevalent during warmer months. |
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Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus |
All Year Round More commonly caught in warmer months. But can be caught year round in many places. |
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Carcharhinus brachyurus |
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Salmo trutta |
Season: All Year Round. Has a Closed Season in Some States of Australia. Victoria’s Trout Season can be checked here. Seasonal Note: More active during cooler months. Suggested Bait: Bardi Grub, Earthworms, Soft Plastic Lures, Spinners, Spoons, Flys |
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Platycephalus fuscus |
All Year Round More commonly caught in warmer months. But can be caught year round in many places. |
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M. colonorum |
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Cyprinus carpio |
Season: All Year Round – Noxious Imported Species. Must *not* be returned to waterways alive. Help our freshwater systems – actively target carp. Seasonal Note: Suggested Bait: Earthworms, Corn, Chicken |
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Platycephalus sp |
All Year Round |
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Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Suggested Bait: |
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Hemiramphidae sp* |
Season: All Year Round – More common in cooler months. Seasonal Note: 40 or More Species found in Victorian Waters Suggested Bait: Small pieces of fish, bread, pippis or chicken suspended beneath either a float or feeder float are popular garfish rigs. |
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Macquaria ambigua |
Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Suggested Bait: Bardi Grub, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Scrub Worms, Yabbies |
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crassius Auratus |
Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Invasive Imported Pest species. Do Not return to water. Suggested Bait: Bardi Grub, Chicken Breast, Corn, Earthworms, Scrub Worms |
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Carcharias taurus |
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Mustelus antarcticus |
All Year Round Larger species are caught in Port Phillip & Western Port during April to July. With the Peak Month considered too be May. |
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Sillaginodes punctata |
November to April Known to migrate from Victoria to South Australian waters during cooler months. |
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Macquaria australasica |
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Mugilidae sp |
All Year Round Can sometimes be the only game in town during cooler weather. |
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Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Suggested Bait: Squid, Pilchards, Whitebait, Bluebait, Pippis, Prawn, Chicken, Fish Fillets |
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M. peelii |
Season: Fishing Season Closed 1st Sept to 30 Nov Inclusive. Some Exceptions Apply (eg: Lake Eildon Exception) Seasonal Note: More active during warmer months. December through to April and early May Suggested Bait: Bardi Grub, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Yabbies |
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Chrysophrys auratus |
All Year Round. But much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper |
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Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Has a Closed Season in Some States of Australia. Victoria’s Trout Season can be checked here. Suggested Bait: Bardi Grub, Earthworms, Scrub Worms,Soft Plastic Lures, Spinners, Spoons, Flys |
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Perca fluviatilis |
Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Sometimes known as English Perch. Can be less active in warmer weather. Suggested Bait: Bardi Grub, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Scrub Worms, Yabbies. Soft plastics. Spinners – love dashes of Red and even a bit of green colour on lures |
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Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Invasive Imported Pest species. Do Not return to water. Suggested Bait: Earthworms |
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Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Blood sucking species. Attach themselves to other fish like a parasite. Suggested Bait: None |
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Bidyanus bidyanus |
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Chrysophrys auratus |
All Year Round. But much more prevalent during warmer months. Adult specimens often come closer towards shore to feed on reefs during rougher weather in warmer months. |
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Sepioteuthis australis |
All Year Round. Best fished when waters are clear with little turbulence. Top times can be during June to September. |
Melbourne Land-based Fishing Map
Landbased Fishing FAQ
What Are The Best Land Based Fishing Spots In Melbourne?
The best spots depend largely on what type of fishing you want to enjoy.
If you prefer saltwater fishing to target species like flathead, some of Melbourne’s piers are an excellent choice. You can also target snapper, whiting, bream, garfish and squid from piers. Another great saltwater spot in Melbourne’s Yarra River Estuary and the ever-popular Warmies.
Top Land Based Freshwater spots include the Yarra River, Goulburn River and Murray River.
Close to Melbourne, you might like to try Mordialloc Pier and Werribee South.
Winter Land Based Fishing In Melbourne
Winter land-based fishing in Melbourne can be slower due to the very cold water temperatures. However, it is a great time to focus on Garfish, Squid, and Australian Salmon species.
In Freshwater European Carp are still present, though a little sluggish. As are Redfin and of course Trout (except during the seasonal closure.)
Spring Land Based Fishing In Melbourne
As the water starts to warm in Spring species such as larger Snapper start to move into the bays. Usually from late September. Flathead becomes less sluggish and bream start to bite.
In freshwater Murray Cod season is usually closed until early December. However, species such as Trout, Redfin and even European Carp can be targeted.
Summer Land Based Fishing In Melbourne
Summer is considered the peak season for fishing in Melbourne. Land based opportunities include Snapper, Pinky Snapper, Flathead, Bream, Squid, Mullet, Mulloway and Gummy Sharks.
In freshwater species like Murray Cod, Redfin, Trout, Yellow Belly and European Carp are very active.
Autumn Land Based Fishing In Melbourne
Autumn land based fishing in Melbourne starts with most of the summer species still active in March. Like Snapper, Whiting and Flathead. As the temperatures start to decline so does the fish activity. With species such as Whiting migrating to South Australia.
In freshwater Murray Cod fishing starts to slow down as the fish become more sluggish. Redfin, Trout and European carp activity continue through Autumn. Starting to taper for most species with the onset of winter temperatures.
