Patterson River

Patterson River Fishing

Patterson River Fishing Guide

Patterson River is a short, man-made waterway that begins where the Eumemmerring and Dandenong Creeks meet at the National Water Sports Centre and flows out to Port Phillip at Carrum. It’s a popular spot for boating in Melbourne. The main access is Launching Way, which has plenty of parking for cars and trailers, plus several boat ramps. If you prefer fishing from the shore, you’ll find good spots along the riverbank, near the river mouth, or on nearby paths. Some of the best places are by the McLeod Road bridge, just upstream of the National Water Sports Centre, and the rocky banks closer to the river mouth near Bonbeach and Carrum. The jetty at Launching Way and the fishing platforms near Carrum Station are also great, especially if you’re targeting bream or estuary perch. There’s a flat 6km trail that makes it easy to reach the estuary and saltwater sections. Carrum Station is close to the river mouth, and you can park off Launching Way.

Boat Traffic, Busy Multilane Boat Ramps

Fishing is popular here because the river connects the inland waterways to Port Phillip. There’s often a lot of boat traffic, especially near the ramps and during warmer months. If you’re fishing from the bank, choose a spot with enough room to cast and avoid the launching areas. Snapper season is busiest in spring, from September to March, and you’ll see more charter boats and activity then. In spring and summer, soft plastics and fresh pilchard baits work well for snapper and salmon around the river mouth and lower sections, especially when the tide is rising. In autumn, bream and estuary perch become more active as the water cools, and natural baits like prawns, mussels, and sandworms work best, especially near structure. In winter, people often fish for mulloway along the banks at night using live mullet, pilchards, or soft vibes in deeper holes. Bream can be caught with cut baits or crab lures around bridge pylons and rocky banks. Other common fish here include bream, flathead, trevally, salmon, and estuary perch. Knowing which fish are around each season can help you pick the right tackle and get ready for your trip. You need a Victorian fishing licence to fish here, and dogs are allowed as long as they’re on a lead.

Cranka Crab lures work well here for bream, as do other realistic crab lures like Crusty Crab and Manic Crab. Fish them slowly. Let them rest on the bottom, give them a twitch now and then, reel in a bit, and let them settle again.

Fish The Structure

Focus on the river’s structure and current rather than fishing anywhere. Around bridges, pylons, shoreline edges, and the lower river, lighter tackle works well because the current can move your bait. Letting the current carry your bait into place often works better than using too much weight to keep it still. For bream and estuary perch, soft plastic lures like minnow or grub styles in natural colours are effective, especially near structure. Fresh baits like prawns, mussels, and sandworms are good for bream and flathead. For mulloway, try live mullet, pilchards, or soft vibes near deeper holes at night. Silver trevally and salmon are often caught on small metal lures and pilchard pieces. The river mouth is sometimes dredged as part of the Port Phillip and Western Port dredging program, so boaters should check local updates and learn what the dredge lights and signals mean when work is happening. Watch for posted signs about work zones and warnings. Sudden changes in current can happen, especially after heavy rain or during dredging, so always pay attention to water conditions. The banks can be slippery, especially near the edges and around rocks, so wear sturdy shoes and be careful when moving around. Paddlers also use the river to reach Port Phillip, so always watch for other traffic and be careful where you cast.

Land-Based Fishing

For mFor most bank fishing here, simple estuary gear is enough. A 7-foot rod rated for 2-4kg with a 2500-size reel is a good starting point. Use heavier 3-5kg gear only if you need more strength. Light line, a 6-8lb leader, small hooks, and the lightest sinker that still keeps your bait in place work best for the river’s tricky bites and changing current. Both running sinker and paternoster rigs work well here. For a typical running sinker rig, use a size 2-4 long-shank hook with a small, pea-sized ball sinker running directly above the swivel. This allows your bait to drift naturally in the current. For a paternoster rig, use two size 4 baitholder hooks on short dropper loops with a small bean or bomb sinker tied to the bottom. This setup keeps your baits just off the bottom and works well in stronger current. Adjust your sinker size so your bait stays near the bottom but still looks natural.