Fishing Port Melbourne – Overview
Port Melbourne fishing is a great experience. It is also the closest Port Phillip Bay fishing near Melbourne.
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 Pier closes when the Spirit of Tasmania is docked (currently permanently closed to fishing).
Other nearby piers, that are always open for fishing, include Kerford Road Pier, Gem Pier and Lagoon Pier.
Like many fishing spots nearby to Melbourne and suburbs the area is fairly heavily fished. However, there are many days when things are very quiet. Giving you a better chance. Early mornings are a particularly good time.
That’s not to say good catches aren’t taken at other times. When the fish are on these spots can be excellent.
Much of the area is adjacent to the Yarra River estuary system, which includes the Maribyrnong river.
Despite commercial usage of the area. Even though it’s been heavily fished since European settlement. The Port Melbourne area still produces large numbers of fish!
Plus – it’s relatively easy to fish. While there is the odd snag, a few rocky drop-offs etc for the most part it is fairly clear of obstacles.
It produces some good-sized bream, mullet and flathead. While the odd mulloway can be targeted by those prepared to do the hard work needed to catch these monsters.
In the lower reaches of the Yarra estuary, pinky snapper is quite common, too. Plus, on occasion, larger adult snapper is taken.
Expect the unexpected catch. Some surprising species make their way into the area at times.
For example – I’ve caught immature 7 Gill Sharks in the Yarra River right opposite Port Melbourne on a Whiting Paternoster rig. Baited up with chicken.
The occasional gummy shark is hauled in, too. Even inside the Yarra estuary.
Kerferd Road Pier Fishing
Fishing Kerferd Road Pier gets land-based anglers out into some great action with snapper, flathead and bream being a few of the target fish species.
It is not a huge pier, compared say Station Pier, but it produces some great catches year after year.
At times you may be lucky enough to bag some good garfish and squid, too. Though the latter is less common.
Lagoon Pier Fishing
Fishing Lagoon Pier is a great way to target a large variety of saltwater fish so close to Melbourne year-round.
While there’s often a lot of smaller pinkies, flathead and mullet around there are some good-sized flathead numbers and snapper taken each year.
Lagoon Pier fishing for garfish can also be productive.
I’ve always found the best fishing to be when there’s a bit of a south westerly blow.
Fishermen's Bend
Fishing Fishermans Bend – on the Yarra River Estuary – is a great place for families.
It produces pinky snapper, mullet and bream, often small in size and big in numbers. Perfect for some catch and release fishing with the kids.
On occasion, it produces some much larger models of snapper, flathead and bream. As well as the highly sought after Mulloway.
Often referred to as Fishermans Bend, the area is best known for being the home of the now-closed GMH car factory.
Station Pier
Fishing Station Pier Port Melbourne offers the land-based angler opportunity to target some great fish species.
Just keep in mind that at times it’s closed to fishing. This is due to the fact that large ships, such as the Spirit of Tasmania dock there.
** Currently This Pier is Closed Completely To Fishing. **
While this can be frustrating its the price we have to pay to target some great fish species including: Pinky Snapper, Adult Snapper, Flathead, Bream, Mullet, Garfish and Squid.
Recent Reports indicate Station Pier is currently closed to the public. If you have an update on this then please let us know using the Contact Form.
Port Melbourne Kayak Fishing
It’s possible to launch a kayak and do some great kayak fishing from several places around the Port Melbourne region.
The easiest place would be the Williamstown Boat Ramp in Newport. Near The Warmies.
Alternatively, you can launch from the beaches and make your way up into the Port Melbourne Area and Yarra Estuary.
Finally, you could start upstream of the Yarra or Maribyrnong and work your way down to the ports.
Just keep in mind you are sharing this port with some enormous ships. Huge cargo vessels, tugboats, cruise ships even naval vessels on occasion.
They cannot avoid you – you must avoid them. They are too big to stop quickly and far to large to turn safely (if it’s possible at all!!)
Their wakes, especially for small craft, can be enormous. A small tinny, for example, could be easily swamped without due care, obviously a kayak faces the same issues.
Port Melbourne Fish Species
| Fish Species | Quick Info |
|---|---|
 Pinky Snapper (Juvenile Snapper)Mugilidae sp | Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 SnapperMugilidae sp | Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 FlatheadPlatycephalus sp | But much more prevalent during warmer months.. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 Australian SalmonArripis trutta | Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 WhitingSp | Generic Name for a number of Whiting Species found in Australia. Bait: |
 MulletMugilidae sp | Can sometimes be the only game in town during cooler weather. Bait: luebait, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Squid Tentacles |
 Southern Black BreamAcanthopagrus butcheri | Can become less active during Winter. Activity picking up in late August. Active during warmer months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Crabs, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait |
Port Melbourne Fishing Review Summary
Port Melbourne fishing is one of those experiences that many lifetime fishos from Melbourne are likely to hold fondly. I know I certainly do.
For over a century fishing in Port Melbourne has been one of the most popular pastimes in the area.
There’s a wealth of hotspots to choose from. Both piers, river banks and beaches.
As well as a wonderful range of fish species to target.
If you live in Melbourne and have never enjoyed a Port Melbourne fishing session, I suggest you try.
Pros
- 5.0 km from Melbourne CBD
- Accessible from most Melbourne suburbs by car and public transport
- Produces some great fishing all year round
- Wide variety of habitats from piers, river banks, bays and estuary fishing
Cons
- Can be busy commuting during peak hour
- Parking can be expensive in some places
- Toilet facilities, in some spots, non-existent
- The loss of Station Pier for fishing is a real loss to land-based fishos.
