Melbourne has a lot to offer when it comes to fishing. There are so many rivers, creeks, beaches, and rockpools to enjoy across the city and beyond. We’ve reeled in the best fishing spots around Melbourne so you never come home empty-handed.

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How to find the best fishing spots in Melbourne?

There are heaps of fishing spots in and around Melbourne, some of which have BBQ facilities where you can cook up your catch (snapper, whiting or trout, anyone?) and enjoy a day out with mates.

However, with so many places to go and so much delicious fish to catch you’ll need a quick list of the best places to go fishing around Victoria’s most populous area. You also need to know when’s the best time to try your luck at each spot and whether you’re better off fishing from the shore, or from a kayak or boat. It’s also super important to make sure you’re on the right side of the law with permits and check Parks Victoria’s Change of Conditions Listings for park alerts that may impact your chosen location before you head out.

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I feel like a holiday! Best fishing spots in other cities:

Best Fishing Spots Melbourne

1. Albert Lake

Location: Middle Park
Time from CBD: 20 minutes
Type of fish: Rainbow trout, Golden perch
Rules or hazards: European Carp (a noxious fish) must be removed from the lake once caught.

Spanning 5km along the golf course and the famous Grand Prix track, Albert Park Lake is a grossly underrated fishing location. It’s also only 3km away from the Melbourne CBD area. This is the perfect place for inner-city dwellers who want to fish Rainbow trout and Golden perch without having to go far.

 

2. Altona Pier

Location: Altona
Time from CBD: 45 minutes
Type of fish: Flathead, pinkies, snapper
Rules or hazards: Watch out for the Pokemon!

In recent years, Altona Pier has jumped into the limelight for the fact that it is home to some rare Pokemon.

However, back in the real world, the recent addition of the artificial reef about 50m from the end of the pier makes this a great location for catching actual fish too. It’s also close to a natural reef and rocks that provide fishers with a huge number of snapper during the warmer months.

You’re likely to seize the largest number of fish when there’s a tide change. Pinkies are caught when there’s a huge tide coming in while flatheads are caught when the tide’s low. Be careful not to drop any of your gear off the pier!

3. Yarra Bend Park

Location: Kew
Time from CBD: 25 minutes
Type of fish: Murray cod, redfin, Macquarie perch, carp
Rules or hazards: Always carry your Victorian fishing licence.

You’ll find great fishing experiences around the bend. Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural vegetation near the Melbourne CBD area with over 16km of riverfront bushland. In this area, you’ll get more than just get a great fishing ground as there’s also a superb view of the international fly-casting pool and the city skyline.

There’s a BBQ area where you and your family can enjoy cooking and eating your catch for the day. It’s also a great place to get away from the noise and commotion of the city, without having to venture too far.

 

Best Fishing Spots Near Melbourne

4. Anglesea Beach & Estuary

Location: Anglesea
Time from CBD: 1 hr 50 minutes
Type of fish: Snapper, salmon, leather jacket, whiting, trevally
Rules or hazards: Make sure to check the size of your catch!

You’ll find great fishing spots at Angelsea, right by the entrance to the Great Ocean Road. There are clean, scenic beaches and a splendid estuary. It offers you the widest variety of fish species, both at the estuary and beach. Perfect for a day of fly fishing!

Read more: Best Fly Fishing Spots Near Melbourne

Even those who aren’t fishing fans can still have fun basking in the sun and swimming in the water. You can also hire a boat at the estuary entrance.

 

5. Blue Lake at Plenty Gorge Park

Location: Bundoora
Time from CBD: 40 minutes
Type of fish: Tench, redfin
Rules or hazards: Bring your own bait and current fishing licence.

Plenty Gorge Park is a great fishing area near Melbourne and the best place to throw your line in is the Blue Lake, which offers a variety of fish to reel in.

Being 20km from Melbourne CBD, this secluded spot is a home away from home. It’s quiet with fresh air that’ll make you feel like you’re further away from town than you actually are.

You’ll be surrounded by native landscape and beautiful wildlife, in addition to an old quarry where you can fish as well.

 

7 Best fishing spots in and around Melbourne

Photo thanks to Julie McLennan

Nearby Accommodation

6. Barwon Heads Beach

Location: Barwon Heads
Time from CBD: 1 hr 45 minutes
Type of fish: Whiting, trevally, squid, salmon, mulloway, snapper, flathead
Rules or hazards: Barwon Heads Bluff is now part of a marine sanctuary. Remember to check with authorities before fishing as some areas are restricted.

If you’re in Melbourne and in need of something fun to do during the cold months, consider fishing at Barwon Heads. This place has numerous fishing spots to cast a line, from the boat ramp to the golf course.

For those with families, this is an ideal spot for children. As a parent, you can fish directly on the beach so that you can keep an eye on your kids as they play around in the sand.

 

7. Jubilee Lake

Location: Daylesford
Time from CBD: 1 hr 40 minutes
Type of fish: Trout, redfin, tench
Rules or hazards: Always carry your fishing licence.

This one is for those wanting to well and truly get out of the city! Located near the gorgeous Daylesford, getting to Jubilee Lake requires a bit of a drive but is well worth it. There are numerous activities to get involved in (including canoeing and hiking) and cabins to rent.

The lake is frequently stocked with trout, redfin and tench and there are BBQ facilities on offer too.

 

8. Mordialloc Pier

Location: Mordialloc
Time from CBD: 50 minutes
Type of fish: Salmon, flathead, bream, whiting, trevally, squid, snapper
Rules or hazards: The pier is very slippery when wet. Do not consume fish caught from Mordialloc Creek.

The best fishing at Mordialloc is found at the very end of the pier – and the locals know it, so you’ll need to get in early if you’d like prime position. The Mordialloc Creek entrance is adjacent to the pier but it has high pollution so if you’re catching from the creek, or close to the entrance, catch and release is recommended and consumption not advised.

In the cooler months of the year, schools of salmon are known to frequent the pier, making for an easy catch. In the warmer months snapper are most common and you’ll want to be positioned at the end of the pier. Flatheads are common all year and are easily caught off the bottom either from the pier or by boat.

 

Best Fishing Spots In Sydney, photo by Mathieu Le Roux (unsplash), fishing rod, ocean

Photo by Mathieu Le Roux

9. Karkarook Park Lake

Location: Heatherton
Time from CBD: 40 minutes
Type of fish: Rainbow trout, Murray cod, Redfin perch, eels
Rules or hazards: Fishing is allowed in designated areas only so be sure to check the signs.

A fantastic lake for freshwater fishing, Karkarook Park is a reliable spot to snag an easy catch. It has a large amount of free parking too, which makes it a stress-free trip for the family, especially during school holidays. A picnic ground, walking trails, and playground make this an ideal place to bring the family with something for everyone to enjoy.

Redfin and trout are the most commonly caught fish here, both on land and if you venture out in a kayak or boat. If you’re chasing the Murray cod, remember that they like to hide and will congregate around sunken logs and water debris. They’re most active at sunrise and sunset so the time of day should be an important consideration for your visit here.

 

10. Rye Pier

Location: Rye
Time from CBD:  1 hr 20 minutes
Type of fish: Salmon, squid, whiting, mullet, flathead, trevally, gummy shark
Rules or hazards: Water is very deep with strong currents, and boating restrictions apply.

You’ll quickly discover that this is a very popular spot – no matter how dicey the weather, there’ll be more than one line in the water and plenty of hopefuls bundled up in coats and gloves. But there’s a good reason – fishing here is plentiful and you’ll never know what might appear on the other end of the line.

With some of the warmest water in Port Phillip Bay, fish are common around the Rye Pier. For the same reason, snorkelling is a popular activity here too so be considerate of others enjoying the area.

 

Top Fishing Tips

  • Fresh bait is best
  • Fish as light as possible (jighead/sinker and line) – heavier gear doesn’t always mean heavier fish
  • Use a rod, reel, and line that are compatible with each other
  • Fish during turning tides – check the tides before you head out with the Tides Near Me app or the VIC tide tables
  • Burley, burley, burley!
  • Bring a net to help secure your fish when reeling it in
  • Time spent perfecting your fishing line is always worth it
  • When pier fishing be mindful that dropping knives and other expensive gear is very easy to do between timber slats!

Melbourne Fishing FAQs

What fish species are biting around Melbourne?

  • Australian Salmon
  • Bream
  • Garfish
  • Leatherjacket
  • Garfish
  • Redfin
  • Cod
  • Trout
  • Whiting
  • Trevally
  • Flathead
  • Mulloway
  • Tench
  • Pinkies

 

 

When’s the best time to fish around Melbourne?

The best part about recreational fishing in Melbourne is that you can fish all year round. However, fishing is much more fun and you get to catch more fish during the warmer months of the year (November to May). It’s a lot nicer sitting on the pier when there isn’t a winter wind whistling around your chair!

Why not make it a camping trip too? Check out: The Best Camping Near Melbourne

 

Do I need a licence to fish in Melbourne?

Before you consider going fishing in Melbourne, it’s likely you’ll need a recreational fishing licence (unless you’re under 18 or over 70 years old).

You can grab a one year recreational fishing licence for $34.95 online or if you’re just looking to fish for the weekend, a three day licence is just $10. 

You can purchase your licence online or from a registered fishing licence outlet. The Victorian recreational fishing licence is not valid in other states or territories. 

Get a Fishing Licence

 

Are there limits on how many fish I can catch around Melbourne?

Absolutely!

When you’re out for a spot of recreational fishing and you catch a fish, its length will determine whether it’s a keeper and will soon become your dinner, or whether it’s just a kiss ‘n’ throwback kinda catch. 

The Victorian Fisheries Authority has specific size and bag limits for each species of fish and they say; 

‘The legal size of fish must be checked at the first available opportunity. Undersize fish must be released immediately. Measure fish from tip of snout with mouth closed, to the end of the tail.’

Don’t forget your ruler!

Freshwater Bag & Size Limits            Marine Bag & Size Limits

Where are the fish biting in Melbourne?

Depending on the time of year and weather conditions you’ll have different luck at each fishing spot. The best places for fishing in Melbourne are: Mordialloc Pier, Albert Lake, Altona Pier, Yarra Bend Park, Anglesea Beach and estuary, Blue Lake at Plenty Gorge Park, Rye Pier, Barwon Heads Beach, Karkarook Park Lake, and Jubilee Lake. 

What’s the best method for beach fishing near Melbourne?

For beach fishing, try Anglesea Beach along the Great Ocean Road. This spot is perfect for casting for snapper, salmon, and leather jackets from the shore. If you’re into bait fishing, you can use fresh bait in the estuary or try fly fishing along the coast for a more adventurous (and challenging!) time.

Where are the best fishing spots in Port Phillip Bay?

Port Phillip Bay offers some of Melbourne’s best fishing spots, with locations like Rye Pier and Mordialloc Pier delivering plenty of action. If you’re after Australian Salmon, Rye Pier’s warm waters make it a prime spot, while Mordialloc is great for catching everything from snapper to flathead.

Can I catch rainbow trout or brown trout near Melbourne?

Yes, you can catch both rainbow trout and brown trout fishing in Melbourne! Albert Park Lake, just 3km from the CBD, is a great spot to reel in rainbow trout. And if you’re up for a bit of a drive, places like Jubilee Lake in Daylesford and Yarra Bend Park are good from brown trout.

Is fly fishing popular in Melbourne?

Fly fishing is gaining popularity around Melbourne, especially in spots like Yarra Bend Park. Whether you’re casting for rainbow trout or Murray cod, this scenic spot offers plenty of opportunities, with the bonus of an international fly-casting pool to practice your technique.

Can I go on a Melbourne fishing charter for a bigger catch?

Absolutely! A Melbourne fishing charter is the best way to go after larger catches, like Australian Salmon and snapper, in deeper waters. These charters will take you out to prime spots in Port Phillip Bay, where you can reel in the big ones and enjoy a full day of fishing on the water.

Where else can I go in Victoria to find decent fishing?

The sky’s the limit! There are so many great places to fish in Victoria. Get started with these top-rated fishing spots in Wangaratta – we hear it’s pretty great! 

 

This article was written by Mark from Kayakguru.com – check his website out for endless kayaking inspiration!

 

Feature photo by @mitchel3uo

Finished fishing but want to keep exploring?

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