September 5, 2025
With a change of season and the school holidays upon us, we’ve compiled five great fishing spots to cast your line as the weather warms up across the state.
Rocklands Reservoir
Rocklands Reservoir, located near the Grampians, is known for its fantastic fishing. Fishers can target redfin, Australian bass, golden perch, yabbies, trout, Murray cod and carp. While freshwater fishers know spring is the Murray cod closed season, when we let them rest on the nest, Rocklands is a year-round Murray cod fishery.
With six free campgrounds, a caravan park, boat ramps and all within easy reach to the Grampians National Park it’s easy to see why Rocklands is a popular fishing and camping destination for the whole family. For more information, visit the Visit Greater Hamilton website.
Earlier this year, Better Boating Victoria extended the boat ramp at Hynes Reserve, which is one of several ramps around the reservoir.
Cairn Curran Reservoir
Cairn Curran is a top fishing destination located between Bendigo and Maryborough. It’s well-stocked with Murray cod, golden perch and brown trout, and fishers can also target redfin and carp. Spring is prime time for golden perch, and the reservoir’s numerous picnic areas and boat ramps also provide excellent bank fishing for families and casual anglers. Like Rocklands Reservoir above, Cairn Curran is also a year-round Murray cod fishery.
Last year, Better Boating Victoria upgraded facilities at Cairn Curran Reservoir’s Picnic Point. The upgrades included a new concrete boat ramp, resurfaced carpark, and new signage for boaters. It also has an adjacent amenities block that features two unisex cubicles and a third big enough to be accessed by people in wheelchairs.
Blue Rock Lake
Blue Rock Lake, near Willow Grove, boasts good shore fishing access and clear waters, and is especially popular for targeting Australian bass, estuary perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, and redfin during spring. In 2024, it was stocked with over 200,000 fish. The lake is great for kayakers and boaters alike and anglers often have luck with bait or spinning lures.
Better Boating Victoria are currently improving access to the lake through installing a new pontoon at the lake and the Old Tanjil Road ramp which is partially closed. While works are in progress, boaters can launch at the Spillway Road ramp without disruption.
Lake Eildon
Lake Eildon is a favourite for many and for good reason. It teems with brown trout, rainbow trout, redfin, Murray cod and yellowbelly in the springtime. The extensive shoreline of the lake means plenty of opportunities for accessible bank fishing, suited to all skill levels. And with multiple boat ramps, it’s a great spot for boating as well. Lake Eildon is also a year-round Murray cod fishery.
Western Port Bay
Whether casting from a pier or exploring the channels by boat, Western Port offers one of Victoria’s richest fishing experiences, enhanced by its stunning coastal scenery and vibrant marine life.
Both boat and land-based anglers are well catered for in Western Port Bay, with numerous boat ramps, piers, and land-based spots distributed throughout the region. Recreational anglers can target hundreds of species in Western Port including snapper, King George whiting, gummy shark, flathead, calamari and Australian salmon, to name a few.
There are several piers that provide access to Western Port including Flinders Pier, Corinella Jetty, San Remo Pier, Cowes Jetty, and more.
Tips for Fishing Success
- Plan Ahead: Research your chosen fishing spot, including any regulations and access points, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
- Focus on Structure: Look for underwater structures such as rocks, fallen trees, and weed beds where fish are likely to seek shelter and ambush prey.
- Check the Regulations: Before heading out, familiarise yourself with the Victorian fishing regulations via the Victorian Fisheries Authority and any seasonal closures in your chosen fishing spot to ensure you’re fishing by the rules.
- VRFish Code of Conduct: VRFish has developed this VRFish Code of Conduct for recreational boat, shore, river, stream and jetty fishers in Victoria. We have a responsibility to look after our fisheries resources for the benefit of the environment and future generations of fishers and show respect for other users of the aquatic environment. We love fishing and encourage all fishers to adopt the guidelines.
FAMILY FISHING LAKES
For those after a family-friendly day out, you can’t go wrong with taking your family to a family fishing lake. These lakes are located throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. When stocking the lakes prior to the school holidays, the Victorian Fisheries Authority stock ready-to-catch rainbow trout as they typically respond to a variety of baits and lures making it easy to reel in a fish. The lakes bode good access making them a great option for families looking to wet a line.
For more information on family fishing lakes, including where they are and what’s been stocked, visit school holiday trout stocking. The Victorian Fisheries Authority have also developed a handy Family Fishing Guide with further tips and tricks for fishing in Family Fishing Lakes.
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.
