April 11, 2025
With school holidays here, it’s a cracking time to enjoy time in the great outdoors. With this in mind, fishing is a fantastic activity to get involved in with your family and offers a multitude of benefits beyond simply catching fish.
Victoria has a fantastic range of family-friendly fishing spots suitable for every type of angler. Below, we’ve compiled some great areas in Victoria to cast a line with your family.
Family Fishing Lakes
Victoria boasts over 60 Family Fishing Lakes across Melbourne and regional Victoria. These lakes are regularly stocked by the Victorian Fisheries Authority with rainbow trout, making them perfect for beginners and families. Rainbow trout are a fantastic target for beginners as they typically respond to a variety of baits and lures. These lakes are designed to be accessible and provide a fun and safe environment for kids to learn fishing.
Murray River
The iconic Murray River is a must-visit for families looking to catch Murray cod and other freshwater species like golden perch and redfin. The river offers countless access points, making it easy to find a suitable spot for fishing. For those looking for good land-based access suitable for families, some popular lakes along the Murray include Lake Hume and Lake Mulwala, both are known for their excellent fishing.
If you go fishing in the Murray River or Lake Mulwala, don’t forget that you will require a NSW recreational fishing licence.
Blue Rock Lake
Located near Willow Grove, Blue Rock Lake has become one of Victoria’s notable Australian bass fisheries. Fishers can also target large brown trout, redfin and carp in the lake. It’s particularly popular due to its good accessibility and facilities including two boat ramps at Spillway Road and Old Tanjil Road.
For land-based fishing access, fishers will find good access at Spillway Road or the dam wall at Old Tanjil Road.
Goulburn River
Along the Goulburn River offers fishers a range of fishing opportunities. Depending on where you cast a line you may be able to reel in native fish like Murray cod and golden perch or target trout, redfin and carp.
With good bank access along a lot of the Goulburn River, it’s perfect for kids to practice their casting skills. Murchison has proved to be a popular spot in recent years, along with areas around Nagambie, Eildon Pondage, Thornton and Alexandra.
Port Phillip
For families interested in saltwater fishing, Port Phillip offers a variety of species such as snapper, whiting, and flathead. The bay is home to several piers where families can fish safely from including Mornington, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, St Leonards and Queenscliff.
Tips for Family Fishing
- Check the regulations: Before heading out, ensure you’re aware of Victorian fishing regulations, including bag limits and size restrictions. Visit the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s website.
- Fishing licences: Remember that a recreational fishing license is required in Victoria (unless exempt). Purchase your recreational fishing licence online from Service Victoria.
If you go fishing in the Murray River or Lake Mulwala, don’t forget that you will require a NSW recreational fishing licence. - Plan your trip: Before setting off on the water, it’s crucial to establish a plan to ensure a safe return. Always let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return, just in case something does go wrong.
- Safety first: Lifejackets are always recommended. When fishing from a boat, ensure all children under 12 wear a lifejacket at all times.
- Be prepared: It’s always smart to pack a first aid kit, some extra sunscreen, insect repellent, and a torch, just in case you need them.
- BoatingVic: If you’re planning to take your boat out, check out the Boating Vic website or download the app. They have a comprehensive list of Victorian boat ramps, including some with boat ramp cameras so you can see how busy the ramp is in real time.
- Be ready for the elements: Check the weather forecast via the Bureau of Meteorology before heading out on the water so you can be prepared for the elements.
LET’S MAKE FISHING BETTER
As the peak body for recreational fishing, we’re here to represent the interests of Victorian recfishers. Whether it’s fish habitat, water security and quality, fishing access and infrastructure or best practice, we aim to work in partnership to make sure Victoria’s fishing experiences continue to improve, be sustainable and more enjoyable for all generations of Victorians.
If you have any ideas on how we can make your fishing even better, get in contact with us! Let us know how your fishing is going, what the fishing is like at your favourite waterway, any stocking you’d like to see, and any other suggestions that can make your fishing better. You can send us an email via [email protected]
When you are sharing your photos online, don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Instagram! Use @VRFish and #VRFish so we can see your photos – we just love to see where the fish are biting.
