Fishing, Outdoor and adventure, Victoria, Australia

Overview

Victoria brims with freshwater rivers and lakes, estuaries, inlets, bays and beaches where you can cast a line, year-round. One go and you'll be hooked.

Freshwater fishing

Freshwater streams, lakes and reservoirs provide good catches from the shore or boat. The most commonly caught species are trout, redfin, golden perch and Australia's largest freshwater fish: the Murray cod.

Rivers
Cast a line on the mighty Murray for the eponymous cod. In Gippsland, the Tarwin River is brimming with bream, and the Aron River is home to trout and redfin. Bait your best on the Wimmera River at competition time, and head to the High Country's Goulburn River for an almost guaranteed trout catch.

In the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, the meeting point of the Steavenson, Archer and Little Archer Rivers is popular with locals (and fish). Even closer to Melbourne, the Werribee and Lerderderg Rivers are ideal for reeling in trout, redfin and blackfish.

Lakes
Angle for a top spot at the Murray region's twin lakes of Hume and Mulwala, home of the Cod Classic, one of Australia's most popular fishing competitions. In Gippsland, Blue Rock Lake is famous for its fly-fishing.

Victoria's High Country is home to lush Lake Eildon, a fishing haven frequently used for fresh-water fishing sports events. In the Grampians, local favourites include Lake Toolondo, Taylors Lake and Lake Bellfield.

Try your hand at trout fishing in the Goldfields, home to more than 1000 public and private trout lakes, and popular Lake Wendouree, Lake Eppalock and Cairn Curran Reservoir.

In Daylesford and Macedon Ranges cast a line at Hepburn Lagoon and the Newlyn, Malmsbury, Lauriston and Coliban reservoirs.

On the Mornington Peninsula, a trip to Devilbend Reservoir is just the ticket, where rainbow trout, brown trout and estuary perch are in abundant supply.

Farms
If your patience sinks, these farms will guarantee a catch (and will even cook it to your liking): Tuki Trout Farm near Daylesford, Harrietville's Mountain Fresh Trout and Salmon Farm, and the Buxton Trout and Salmon Farm.

Saltwater fishing

Victoria's bays and beaches and offshore fishing grounds offer opportunities to hook into everything from snapper, King George whiting, flathead and kingfish to salmon, squid, tuna and shark – if you're game.

Pier fishing
Drop a line from Rosebud and Mornington piers on the Mornington Peninsula. Both are popular spots for locals and visitors. On the Great Ocean Road, while away some time at Lorne and Apollo Bay. On the Bellarine Peninsula have a right royal time at Queenscliff, and in Gippsland set yourself up at Lakes Entrance. On Phillip Island, compete with pelicans on the piers at Cowes, Newhaven, Rhyll and San Remo.

Surf fishing
Head down to Gippsland for excellent surf fishing at spots from the renowned Pearl Point Cape at Cape Conran Coastal Park to Loch Sport Beach, Inverloch and the wild waters at Corinella.

On the Great Ocean Road try your hand at surf fishing around Portland and nearby Narrawong Beach, or take a game-fishing charter if that's more to your tuna.

Snapper-up the best catch on the Mornington Peninsula on a Port Phillip Bay fishing charter during the Crimson Tide, the annual snapper migration. Other bay beauties include whiting, gummy shark, school shark, squid, salmon, garfish, rock cod, flathead and elephant fish.