Melbourne Fishing Report

In Melbourne the most popular fishing environment so far this year, based on calculated reports, has been Freshwater with 41 reports. Of those 85 were Landbased.

The most popular fish species targetted by fishos has been Rainbow Trout with 42 reports.

In saltwater locations Mordialloc Pier was most often recorded. While the most reported freshwater fishing spot was Karkarook Park.



Top 10 Fishing Spots 2023

For Latest Reports, Rather Than The Summaries Please See The Latest Fishing Reports Page.

Fishing Reports

#1 Saltwater Fishing Report Datapoints YTD
SpeciesGarfish20
BaitMaggots25
LureSoft Plastics4
LocationMordialloc Pier11
#1 Freshwater Fishing Report Datapoints YTD
SpeciesRainbow Trout42
BaitMaggots25
LureSoft Plastics4
LocationKarkarook Park36


Species Fishing Reports



Top 5 Bait Reported

Fishing Reports 2023 By Month

Aug is the busiest fishing month so far in 2023 with 54 reports.


Landbased/Boat/Kayak Reports

Landbased, is currently the most popular so far in the last 12 months. With 85, reports.



Top 10 Fish Reported During The Last 12 Months In Melbourne

SpeciesReportsInformationBait/Lures
Rainbow Trout Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
42Season: All Year Round Seasonal Note: Has a Closed Season in Some States of Australia. Victoria’s Trout Season can be checked on the Victorian Fisheries website.
Earthworms, Soft Plastic Lures, Spinners, Spoons, Flys
Garfish Garfish
Hemiramphidae sp
20Season: All Year Round.
Maggots, Whitebait or Bluebait Pieces, Bread Doung, Pipies, Prawn, Squid pieces, Sand worm.
Pinky Snapper Snapper
Mugilidae sp
8Season: All Year Round
Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper.
Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
European Carp Carp
Cyprinus carpio
6Season: All Year Round. Noxious Imported Species. Must *not* be returned to waterways alive. Help our freshwater systems – actively target carp.
Earthworms, Corn, Chicken.
Flathead Flathead
Platycephalus sp
4Season: All Year Round
But much more prevalent during warmer months..
Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Estuary Perch Estuary Perch
M. colonorum
3Season: All Year Round
An Australian native species often re-stocked by fisheries.
Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait
Australian Salmon Australian Salmon
Arripis trutta
1Season: All Year Round
Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months.
Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets

Melbourne Fishing Report Fishing Report Hotspots

Altona Boat Ramp

Altona Boat Ramp

Altona boat ramp is a great place to launch a boat. Be it a fishing boat, tinny or even kayak.

Altona Pier

Altona Pier

This pier is another casualty of a lack of maintenance by the Victorian State Government. It is closed, with no set repair time (if any.

Diamond Creek

Diamond Creek

Diamond Creek fishing is largely overlooked by locals when it comes to locals, let alone people from other areas of Melbourne.

Mordialloc

Mordialloc

Mordialloc Fishing Overview I have a soft spot for Mordialloc fishing. I love fishing off the Pier. It’s one of my favourite Melbourne Piers.

Plenty River

Plenty River

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.

Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne

Fishing Port Melbourne – Overview Port Melbourne fishing is a great experience. It is also the closest Port Phillip Bay fishing near Melbourne.

Sandringham

Sandringham

Sandringham fishing largely centers around the rock wall and the Anchorage. The area has proven to be very successful for me.

St Kilda Boat Ramp

St Kilda Boat Ramp

St Kilda Boat Ramp is part of the extensive St Kilda Marina complex. As far as boat ramps go this one can vary in terms of quality.

St Kilda Pier

St Kilda Pier

St Kilda Pier Fishing on a warm summer’s night was how I started targetting flathead and pinkies as a teenager.

Sugarloaf Reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir

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 a 30-minute drive through a few outer north eastern suburbs and country roads.

Sweeneys Flats

Sweeneys Flats

Fishing Sweeneys Flats Eltham is a well-known hotspot for locals. With its bushland setting sitting on the Yarra River it offers a number of freshwater habitats for fishing.

Werribee

Werribee

Werribee Fishing Werribee Fishing opportunities include the Werribee South Pier, Beach and of course access to the Werribee River via the Boat Ramp.

Williamstown

Williamstown

Williamstown fishing goes back to the early days of Melbourne. Located on Port Phillip Bay right around the corner from the mouth of the Yarra River.




Melbourne Fishing Reports Map




Melbourne Fishing Opportunities

Melbourne Fishing, Victoria Australia

Fishing in Melbourne is a popular pastime for both locals and visitors alike.

Melbourne is surrounded by a diverse range of fishing spots, from freshwater creeks and rivers to the bays and open ocean.

Providing a wide variety of fish species to target.

Melbourne’s Yarra River Fishing

One of the most popular freshwater fishing locations in Melbourne is the Yarra River.

The estuary sees species like bream, pinky snapper, Australian Salmon, small shark species (usually juvenile), mulloway, flathead and mullet.

The freshwater sections of the river, above Richmond, is home to a variety of fish species such as rainbow trout, brown trout,redfin carp and even Yellowbelly and Murray Cod above Templestowe.

The best time to fish the Yarra River is during the summer months when the water is warm and the fish are active.

The most popular fishing methods used in the Yarra River are fly fishing, spinning, and bait casting.

Maribyrnong River Fishing

Another popular freshwater and estuary fishing location in Melbourne is the Maribyrnong River.

The lower section of the Maribyrnong River joins the Yarra River Estuary. As such it is brackish and tidal.

Estuary species include bream, pinky snapper and mullet.

The freshwater sections of the Maribyrnong River is known for its large population of carp, making it a popular destination for carp anglers.

The best time to fish the Maribyrnong River is during the spring and autumn months when the water is warm and the fish are active.

The most popular fishing methods used in the Maribyrnong River are bait fishing in the estuary section and carp fishing in the upper reaches.

Melbourne Ocean Fishing

For those looking to fish in the ocean, Melbourne offers a variety of options.

From the bays and their calmer conditions to the nearby beautiful though often violent ocean beaches.

Port Phillip Bay.

The most popular ocean fishing location in Melbourne is Port Phillip Bay.

The bay is home to a variety of fish species such as snapper, gummy shark, and flathead.

The best time to fish in Port Phillip Bay is during the summer months when the water is warm and the fish are active.

The most popular fishing methods used in Port Phillip Bay are bait fishing and casting lures. While soft plastic lures are the most widely used hard body lures are a valuable addition to any Port Phillip Bay tackle box.

. The Mornington Peninsula

Another popular ocean fishing location in Melbourne is the Mornington Peninsula.

The Mornington Peninsula is known for its large population of snapper, making it a popular destination for snapper anglers.

The best time to fish the Mornington Peninsula is during the summer and autumn months when the water is warm and the fish are active.

The most popular fishing methods used in the Mornington Peninsula are bait fishing, casting soft plastic lures and squid jigging.

Melbourne Fishing Overview

When fishing in Melbourne, it is important to be aware of the local fishing regulations and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. It is also important to be aware of the size and bag limits for each species of fish, as well as the closed seasons for certain species.

Overall, fishing in Melbourne offers a diverse range of options for anglers of all skill levels.

From freshwater creeks and rivers to the open ocean, there is a wide variety of fish species to target and fishing methods to use.

With the right knowledge and equipment, a day of fishing in Melbourne can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.


Melbourne FAQ


What Fishing Licenses do I need to go fishing in Melbourne

Most people will need a fishing license. This is available at most tackle stores – or online from the Victorian Fisheries Authority website. There are exceptions to the license requirement including people over 70 or under 18 years of age. Some pensioners including aged and disability. As well as some indigenous people. Always check the VFA website above to see if you meet any exceptions. In addition, you need to familiarise yourself with regulations including catch limits, size, seasons and protected species. If you are using a powerboat you will require a boating license. There are exemptions for interstate boats – providing you have a license in your state of origin.


Are there sharks in the Yarra River, Melbourne?

Yes. At times. Though in most cases they are harmless Gummy Sharks (known as flake when cooked and served with fish and chips) Some smaller Schooling Sharks are present at times. I have personally caught a juvenile 7 Gill shark at the Warmies in Newport. Larger species have been reported and caught in the lower reaches around the docklands but they are extremely rare. In February 2021 I caught (and released) a Broad Nosed Shark in the Yarra River mouth,


What Are The Best Fishing Times In Melbourne?

The best fishing times in Melbourne are usually an before and after dawn and dusk. When those times coincide with a high or low tide then these times are considered to be more ideal. Additionally some people believe the moon plays a factor in selecting fishing times. While this is hotly contested (and has no scientific evidence to support it) it is said a new moon is a peak fishing time. When combined with the tide and sunrise/sunset the day is considered to be the best day that month.


What Fish Are In The Yarra River?

In the Yarra Estuary, common fish species include Pinkies (Immature Snapper) and Adult Snapper during the warmer months. Mullet, Flathead, Mulloway, Bream, Whiting at times throughout the year. Upstream in the freshwater stretches Redfin, European Carp, Eels are quite common. Occasional Murray Cod are present north of Eltham around the Warrandyte area. Trout, both Rainbow and Brown can be caught in the shallower, faster sections from Launching Place upstream past Warburton.


What type of fishing can you do around Melbourne?

From the beautiful Port Phillip Bay. The large tidal flows of Western Port Bay. The estuaries of the Yarra, Maribyrnong, Werribee and other rivers – Melbourne has a lot of fishing variety. You can fish from the beaches for bream, mullet, flathead and whiting. The piers for all of those species – plus snapper, Australian Salmon, Silver Trevally, Calamari (squid) and even gummy shark. You can get out in the estuaries and the bays in a boat, increasing your fishing opportunities and available species. While in the “fresh” you can target freshwater species such as Murray Cod, Redfin, trout, eels and even the insidious European Carp.



Dave Getfished