4 best fishing spots in Victoria
Victoria is home to some of the best fishing spots in Australia. Whether its targeting big snapper, or fly fishing for trout in the highlands, here are four exceptional fishing spots, each offering diverse opportunities for recreational anglers.
As always, please adhere to all current Victorian fishing regulations, including size and bag limits. Weather can be highly variable, and it's important to check out the forecast before planning your trip.
Check the change of conditions listing on the Parks Victoria website before leaving home.
1. East Cape – Cape Conran Coastal Park
Located in East Gippsland, East Cape offers some of the best surf fishing opportunities in Victoria. Anglers can target species such as Australian Salmon and Tailor. For Australian Salmon, there is a minimum legal size of 21cm, and the bag limit is 20 per person, per day. Tailor also has a minimum size of 23 cm, with a bag limit of 20.
Gear needed: Recommended tackle includes medium to heavy surf rods with 6 – 10 kg line, using metal lures or pilchard baits.
For more information and where to fish, check out our information guide.
You'll need a strong arm to cast your lure or bait into the surf zone.
Australian salmon school in large groups. If one exists, chances are there are plenty more nearby. Image credit: Fishing World Magazine.
2. Gunnamatta beach – Mornington Peninsula National Park
Stretching from Portsea to Cape Schanck, this park is popular among shore-based anglers. Gunnamatta Beach (located within the stunning Mornington Peninsula National Park) has deep gutters, and the sandy bottom is great for fishing. Species such as Australian salmon, Snapper and King George Whiting are commonly targeted. Snapper has a minimum legal size of 28 cm and a bag limit of 10, with only 3 fish allowed over 40 cm. King George Whiting must be at least 27 cm, with a bag limit of 20.
Gear needed: If targeting King George whiting, light to medium rods with 3 – 6 kg line are suitable, using baits like squid or pipis.
For more information and where to fish, check out our visitor information guide.
It can get choppy, so wear appropriate gear! Image credit: Australiancamping.com.
King George whiting are considered one of the best eating fish in Victoria. Image credit: Museums Victoria
3. Devilbend Reservoir – Devilbend Natural Features Reserve
Situated on the Mornington Peninsula, Devilbend Natural Features Reserve has been stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Estuary Perch making it an ideal inland freshwater fishing area. The reservoir’s fishing areas have designated fishing pontoons and platforms available for keen freshwater anglers. Rainbow and Brown Trout have specific regulations with catch limits and sizes. For more information, check out this link at the VFA.
Gear needed: Light spinning gear with 2 – 4 kg line is recommended, using lures or live baits.
Fishing is permitted only in the designated fishing zones as identified on the map, which can be found here at the VFA website.
There are designated pontoons and areas to fish from here.
Rainbow trout are one of the tastiest fish to catch in freshwater areas. Image credit: Flylife Magazine.
4. Rocky Valley Reservoir – Alpine National Park
Located near Falls Creek in the high country of Alpine National Park, Rocky Valley Reservoir offers high-altitude fishing experiences. Anglers can target Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. For detailed information on size and bag limits, please refer to the Victorian Fisheries Authority's Recreational Fishing Guide.
Gear needed: Fly fishing or light spinning setups with 2 – 4 kg line are effective, using artificial flies or lures.
For more information and where to fish in Rocky Valley, check out this website from the VFA.
Dawn and dusk are some of the best times to flyfish. Image credit: Falls Creek Resort.
Brown trout are regularly stocked in these areas. Image credit: Victorian Fisheries Authority.
These incredible places only represent a tiny fraction of the best fishing spots in Victoria. Other popular fishing locations include Lake Eildon National Park (where more than one million fish were stocked early last year), Ninety Mile Beach (where many different species of sharks can be caught, from Gummy to Broadnose Sevengill sharks) and even the awesome Mitta Mitta river, carving its way through the heart of Alpine National Park.
For more information on fish sizes and bag limits, check out the Victorian Fisheries Authority website.