Want to know where to find the best Melbourne fishing spots?
Well, there are plenty to choose from within its greater metro area, and in this article, we’ll highlight 10 of the most notable of them for you.
Whether you are into pier, beach, fly or boat fishing, there is a freshwater creek, river or ocean area you can head to. Most of which are easy to access via car or public transport.
The kind of fish you can catch at them depends very much on where you go. Head to a saltwater spot and you should find an abundance of snapper, bream, flathead, whiting and salmon. In freshwater areas, perch and trout are plentiful. While at the beach silver trevally, mullet and King George whiting are often the go.
Of the 10 best Melbourne fishing spots outlined below, there is a good chance you will know most of them. But there might be the odd one or two you weren’t familiar with.
So let’s get into it!
Fishing Licences in Victoria
Before we do that, it is important for you to know that if you intend to go fishing in Melbourne, or pretty much anywhere in Victoria for that matter, you will need to procure yourself a recreational fishing licence.
Thankfully they are relatively inexpensive to purchase and you can easily get them either online or at the offices of the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) or the Victorian state government.
Here is a quick guide to how much it will cost you to fish in Victoria.
3-day licence for $10 (same price online)
28-day licence for $21.50 (same price online).
1-year licence for $37.70 ($35.50 if you buy online).
3-year licence for $102.20 ($96.80 if you buy online).
10 Best Melbourne Fishing Spots
All of the fishing spots below will provide you with a fabulous angling experience. If you are interested to find out what species you might catch prior to going to them, it’s a good idea to check
out the Fish Brain app.
This brilliant app allows you to just type in the location you intend to visit and it will automatically come up with images of what other fishermen have caught. Consider it the Instagram of fishing apps!
1. Anglesea
If you are looking for a spot where you can escape the frenetic pace of city life for a while you might want to consider a weekend away at Anglesea.
Situated about 90 minutes away from the Melbourne CBD, you’ll find this picturesque destination just before the entrance to the Great Ocean Road.
It will provide you with pristine beaches and good-sized estuary systems to fish at. This means you can choose to cast a line on a boat or the shoreline – both of which showcase tremendous scenery.
Depending on where you are, you will be able to catch the likes of snapper, salmon, bream, flathead, garfish, leather jackets, mullet and trevally. If you decide to go fishing on the beach at night, you may even catch a gummy shark too!
2. Jells Park Lake
For those into jetty fishing, the Jells Park Lake is the perfect place to cast a line.
Tucked away in the Dandenong Creek Valley, which lies within the Melbourne suburb of Wheelers Hill, this comely waterway actually has three separate jetties. Though you can only fish from a couple of them.
Renowned for hosting some of the best lake fishing in the state, you should have no problem snaring carp, eel or redfin here. Though it is important to note that you can only fish from one of the designated jetties, as fishing from canoeing and boating is permitted. For non-invasive species, catch and release is also encouraged too.
When not fishing, the park is a very popular destination that is visited by over a million people annually. Many of them also come to hike, partake in sporting activities, picnic or enjoy a coffee or bite to eat at its cafes.
3. Bostock Reservoir
Arguably one of the most underrated fishing spots near Melbourne is the Bostock Reservoir.
Situated about 90 km northwest of the CBD, this fabulous bank fishing area is a great place to fish for brown and rainbow trout, tench, carp, eel, roach and redfin. It also offers lots of opportunities for solitude, for those who want to get away from it all.
Fishing here is restricted to the shoreline – you are prohibited from doing so on boats or fishing with waders. You are also not allowed to use berley, while catch and release are preferred when it comes to
all native species. The exception to this is European common carp which you are not obliged to throw back.
Whilst at the park you should also be mindful of the presence of snakes.
4. Albert Park Lake
For many anglers, Albert Park Lake offers the best fishing in the whole of Melbourne.
Incorporating 120 acres, this man-made lake is located fairly near to the CBD and is also close to the golf course and Grand Prix track.
Full of perch, trout and carp, the lake makes for a wonderful urban getaway.
Catch and release are expected for non-invasive species, but if you plonk yourself in the thicket, you should have a successful time of it.
5. Barwon Heads
Nestled on the southern fringes of the Bellarine Peninsula, Barwon Heads is well known amongst the angling community for being a wonderful destination for fishing.
Whether you go surf fishing for salmon, or boat fishing in the Bass Strait for salmon, flathead, snook, snapper, squid, barracouta and shark, you should have no trouble snaring a catch.
Just be aware that Barwon Heads Bluff is a marine sanctuary, so restrictions may apply if you are fishing there.
When not casting a line, the charming township is a lovely place to explore.
6. Brimbank Park
If you are looking for a place to catch trout in Melbourne then head on over to Brimbank Park.
You’ll find this picturesque public recreational space within greater Melbourne, on the furthest reaches of the Maribyrnong River.
As it offers kayaking, jetty and bank fishing, you have a very strong chance of hooking bream, salmon, garfish, and eel as well.
If you use live bait you might even catch redfin, or carp as well. Though just be mindful of snakes in the area.
When you have had your fill of fishing, Brimbank Park offers very good cycling and walking trails, as well as plenty of fantastic picnic spots as well.
7. Sorrento Pier
The iconic Sorrento Pier is one of the most historic and best-loved fishing areas in the whole of Melbourne.
Built in 1870, it is a wonderful playground for all kinds of social and recreational activities.
In terms of fishing, the abundant waters below are home to snapper, salmon, whiting, squid, flathead, trevally and leather jackets. It can get a little crowded on the pier, so be aware of those around you. Although once you find your spot, you should have no trouble hooking something.
Another destination that is 90 minutes from the CBD, it is well worth spending a couple of days in the area as there is plenty to see and do.
This includes the likes of kayaking, golfing, boating and nighttime snorkelling, as well as marvelling at the sight of thousands of spider crabs migrating in Autumn.
The Mornington Peninsula is also not far away, as are several lighthouses, wineries, playgrounds, mazes and shops.
8. Patterson River
Located in the suburbs, the Patterson River provides incredible fishing opportunities for the likes of flounder, mullet, bream, salmon, mulloway, flathead, snapper and squid.
You can choose to take a kayak or boat upstream or stay by the river entrance. Either way, you will find yourself in one of the best fishing spots in Melbourne.
The river is close to several parks, many of which have bbq facilities and fishing stations, as well as beautiful gardens, an art centre and a number of trails.
Again, just be wary of snakes, as well as boat traffic too.
9. Altona Pier
Altona Pier is a famous destination where thousands of Pokémon Go enthusiasts once congregated in 2016 in search of the ever-elusive ‘Snorlax’.
Before them, anglers have regularly come here to cast a line off the iconic structure in the hope of snaring mullet, garfish, leather jackets, trevally, mullet, salmon, snapper and flathead. Which is something you can usually do with great regularity.
The pier is extremely busy in the summer months, so you will have to ensure you do not tangle your
lines with other fishermen, and also be careful of young children, on the wetter days, who can easily slip.
It’s also worth arriving early in the day to secure a prime spot.
Once you’ve had your fill of fishing, you can also go for a walk or swim at the nearest beach, take the kids to some of the nearby playgrounds, or get a bit to eat at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area.
10. Yarra River
You didn’t think we had forgotten about the Yarra River, did you?
Probably the most famous and popular spot for fishing in the whole of Victoria, these virulent waters stretch for over 250 km and are home to masses of carp, Murray cod, redfin, mullet, mulloway, bream and estuary perch.
Offering several opportunities for river or bank fishing, some of the most noted places to go include Punt Road Bridge, Yarra Bend Park and Warrandyte State Park.
When fishing in the river, only 2 lines are allowed. Catch and release is also very much encouraged, while certain prohibitions or restrictions may apply if fishing from particular areas.
During your downtime, you will find plenty of parks flanking the river, as well as several opportunities for boat cruises. There is even a casino too, as well as numerous restaurants, events and other nightlife options.
Final Thought
So there you have it, our guide to 10 of the best Melbourne Fishing Spots.
At the end of the day, if you are looking for a fantastic place to cast a line, this list has you well and truly covered.
Melbourne is a terrific city in which to go fishing, and irrespective of which of these places you choose to go to, you will be in for a very pleasant and enjoyable experience.