Fishing – Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

For a river so close to a city the size of Melbourne, the Yarra has a surprisingly healthy population of brown and rainbow trout. The river around Warburton is the best starting point for any trout fishing enthusiasts. Past Marysville you’ll find a number of delightful trout streams such as the Taggerty, Steavenson, Acheron and Rubicon. The easiest access points tend to be where roads cross a stream, with the bridges providing good starting points for fishing one’s way along the river.

If you plan to cast a line you will need an amateur fishing license. Licenses are available for approximately AUD$20 from most local tackle shops, which are also the best place to get information about where the fish are biting, and how to get there. Check out season and size restrictions while you are there.

Here are some of the best spots:

Marysville:

• Vic Oak Picnic Area on Steavenson River
  Three kilometres north of Marysville beside the road to Buxton (C508).
  Melways 510 T11
• Rest area on Steavenson River
  Six kilometres north of Marysville beside the road to Buxton (C508).
  Melways 510 T11
• Buxton Recreation Reserve on Steavenson River
  Maroondah Highway near Buxton
  Melways 510 T10
• Reserve where Acheron, Steavenson and Little Steavenson rivers meet
  Turn off Maroondah Highway, then follow Mareeba Avenue for 1.4 kilometres.
  Melways 510 T9
• Reserve where Glendale Lane crosses the Acheron River
  One kilometre down Glendale Lane off the Maroondah Highway.
  Melways 510 T9
• Picnic area on the Acheron River
  Seven kilometres from Marysville along the Melbourne Road C512 towards Melbourne and Narbethong.
  Melways T12
• Picnic area on the Acheron River
  Maroondah Highway or North Creek Road, north of Narbethong.
  Melways T12
• Picnic area on the Acheron River
  Acheron Way or Granton Road
  Follow the Melbourne Road from Marysville (C512) back to Narbethong for 10 kilometres to just before the Maroondah Highway and turn left along the Acheron Way for 4 kilometres to Granton Road and then travel 200 metres down Granton Road.
• Picnic area on the Acheron River
  Acheron Way/Upper Acheron
  Follow the Melbourne Road from Marysville (C512) back to Narbethong for 10 kilometres to just before the Maroondah Highway and turn left along the Acheron Way for 8 kilometres. From this point for the next 6 kilometres there are many fishing spots.

Warburton:

• Yarra River at Warburton
  A good spot for catching brown trout.
  Warburton – Reefton Road
  Melways 290 3C
• Little Peninsula Tunnel on Yarra River
  A good spot for catching brown trout. Woods Point Road, 7 kilometres north-east of Warburton.
  Melways 292 J1

Healesville:

• Woori Yallock Bridge on the Yarra River
  A good spot for trout, eel and blackfish.
  Healesville-KooWee Rup Road
  Melways 286 G8
• Everard Park on the Yarra River
  A good spot for trout, eel, blackfish and redfin.
  Maroondah Highway, Healesville
  Melways 277 G7
• Picnic Ground, Yarra Glen on the Yarra River
  A good spot for trout.
  Off the Melba Highway, Yarra Glen
  Melways 275 A2
• Don Road Bridge, Launching Place on the Yarra River
  A good spot for trout and blackfish.
  Don Road, off the Warburton Highway
  Melways 288 H6

Kinglake:

• Picnic areas along King Parrot Creek
  A good spot for trout.
  Wittlesea-Yea Road
  Melways 510 P10
• Devlins Bridge on the Yea River
  A good spot for trout.
  Melba Highway
  Melways 510 Q10
• Picnic areas along Murrindindi River
  A good spot for trout.
  Murrindindi Scenic Reserve
  Melways 510 R9