Ovens River

Ovens River Fishing Guide

In the Wangaratta and Ovens River area, many people go fishing, and most of the fish caught are Murray Cod and European Carp.

Although the Ovens River is often ignored when it comes to fishing since it is close to the Murray, it is still worth attempting.

The Ovens River is a lengthy freshwater river which originates in the Victorian Alps and passes through the towns of Bright, Myrtleford and Wangaratta; fishing is available in the town reserves, or it is possible to go to more isolated areas accessible by highway divergences and dry-weather tracks.

To reach the lower section of the river, leave Wangaratta by taking the Murray Valley Highway or the Wangaratta-Yarrawonga Road heading north.

The upper areas are accessible via the Great Alpine Highway or by taking the side roads close to Myrtleford, Germantown, Smoko, and Harrietville. Although most of the sites are suitable for 2WD vehicles when the weather is good, certain parking spaces, tracks, and ramps require dry conditions or the use of a 4WD vehicle.

Access to the riverbank varies greatly: in some places there are flat banks and sandy beaches when the water level is low, whereas in other areas the banks are steep and there is little room for fishing. This is a more important consideration than viewing the river as a single, uniform fishing area; the sections near Bright and above have clearer, faster-flowing alpine water and are therefore more suitable for trout-style fishing.

Near Myrtleford and Wangaratta, the river is deeper and flows more slowly, and there is farmland and pine plantations in the vicinity. This kind of location is more suitable for catching larger native freshwater fish. At some places there is not much water, for example where sand is exposed at low water levels and where it is difficult to reach the banks when they are steep. As seasonal closures have a significant effect on cod and trout cod, it is necessary to check the current Victorian regulations before going fishing.

When you are fishing, seek out features such as logs, submerged trees, undercut banks, deep holes, and rock ledges, particularly in the lower part of the river. Although certain areas have good tree cover and informal tracks, the track system, including Frosts Track, can be confusing. Although Parola’s Bend has steep banks, it is still possible to get to the water. There is only a small section available for fishing on Peechelba Road.

There is a small jetty and a concrete ramp at the Bundalong Caravan Park, but both the ramp and the parking are best used when the weather is dry. In some parts of the lower Ovens it is possible to reach the area by boat or kayak, but the ramp conditions are not steady.

The dirt ramp at site 2 of Parola’s Bend is in a poor state and can only be used by 4WD vehicles when it is dry.

Tackle Options

When fishing in clear water and in areas with redfin, use lighter spinning gear; around timber, in deep holes, and for larger cod, heavier gear is more effective. The tackle you select should be based on the section of the river where you are fishing, not just on using the same kit for the entire river.