Fish Species

Coastal species, occurring in Victoria eastwards from Wilsons Promontory, but rarely reported west of the Promontory.  Also stocked in selected impoundments in East Gippsland.

Commonly taken in Victoria between 750 g and 1 kg but can be larger.

Moves from freshwater to estuaries to breed, with a spawning season from June to September.

Common in many Victorian lakes and streams and dams. Distribution appears to be limited by an upper water temperature of about 31°C. Can be very abundant when schooling.

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An introduced species, Redfin are now known to carry a lethal virus which in certain conditions can be transferred to other introduced fish, such as trout, and to native fish.

Found in rivers and impoundments, the brown trout fishery in Victoria is roughly divided into two parts; the eastern half of Victoria has largely self-supporting populations whilst most suitable waters in the western half of the State depend on stocking with hatchery-produced fish.

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Subject to a closed season from June long- weekend to beginning of September.

Generally found across northern inland regions, Golden perch accepts a variety of environments, but occurs most frequently in warm, turbid, inland waters and associated backwaters and billabongs.

A tolerant fish able to withstand water temperatures of 4 to 37°C.

Generally caught less than 3 kg but can be larger.

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Found in streams and lakes throughout Victoria.  Prefers highly oxygenated waters. Populations may be self-supporting where suitable habitat exists.

Some lake and reservoir populations are maintained by regular releases of hatchery-produced fish.

Whilst specimens can reach 9kg in weight, more commonly taken 500gm to 2kg.

Subject to a closed season from June long-weekend to beginning of September.

The offshore waters of Gippsland offer exceptional opportunities to catch gummy sharks, which are delicious to eat and more commonly encountered as flake from fish and chip shops.

A significant population of gummy sharks reside off Ninety Mile Beach, which is home to numerous sand crabs, a favourite food of gummies.

Even when kingfish are about, they can be there for one tide and not the next, so persistence is required if you are committed to catching one.

The water doesn’t need to be deep, and fishers regularly catch kingfish from 30 metres deep all the way up to 2 – 3 metres.

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Flounder are camouflaged ambush predators that rely on tidal and current movements to bring prey directly to them.

Often found in shallow water, the most popular way to target flounder is at sundown or at night during low tide wading with a floodlight and spear.

Walk very calmly not to spook them away.

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Handle with Care

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There are several different species of Gurnard that can be caught in Victoria.

The Red Gurnard is a beautiful looking fish with colourful wings like a butterfly. You also have the common Gurnard Perch, a quite dull fish but with venomous spines that can inflict a lot of pain if stung.  

Yelloweye Mullet  are abundant in Victorian coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, commonly caught around piers, mangroves, and shallow beaches.

They are a popular, accessible recreational catch, often targeted in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, and tidal rivers using light gear and baits like sandworms or bread

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The hard-fighting Australian salmon is a year-round target, with the winter surf run in Bass Strait producing fish to 2 kilograms or more.

Salmon will eagerly take lures and baits.  In the surf, salmon congregate in deeper water searching for baitfish that are washed in by the pounding waves.

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Silver Trevally are frequently found in estuaries and entrances of the bay and ocean.

They love clear water and locally will reside in areas with structures like boat wharves, bridge pylons, and rock walls.

You will also find them in sandy flats, shallow reefs, and along the edge of drop-offs.

Bluethroat Wrasse are a very colourful fish that can attain a total length of up to 50 centimetres and live for up to 23 years.

They are generally be found on reef or rubble grounds in deep water, or in the vicinity of rocky headlands or coastline.

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Yellowtail Scad are common in Victorian coastal waters. They can often be found in both deep water or around structures such as headlands, wharfs and jetties.

They will take a variety of baits and small lures. Often targeted for food or bait.

An estuarine fish that occur in a variety of habitats: over sand-gravel bottoms, soft mud flats and in weedy areas of rivers, and coastal lakes. Often found holding in river snags.

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Can reach 60 cm in length and 4 kg, although commonly smaller. Black bream becomes sexually mature at 3-4 years of age.

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Coastal stream systems along the entire Victorian coast.

Less common in Western Port and Port Phillip Bay though historically abundant. Often mistaken for Australian Bass.  

Estuary Perch can be caught using a variety of methods, both bait and lures. 

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Murray River and tributaries as far as Echuca. Introduced into the Wimmera River at Horsham and Victoria Lake, Maryborough.

Recently reported in the Yarra River in the Eltham area. Common in some areas, but not as abundant as in the past. Will take a range of baits.

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Murray cod can attain a length of 1.8 metres but commonly reaches 55-65 cm and weights of 2-5 kg.

Subject to a size restriction (from 55cm to a maximum of 75cm), and a closed season (1 September to 30 November inclusive).

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Carnivorous, taking a wide variety of food from molluscs and crustaceans, as well as  other fish, including invasive species such as Carp.​​

In Victoria, Silver Perch have been recorded in 12 river basins including eight where populations occur naturally.

Found predominantly northern parts of Victoria.

This species can grow up to 8 kg and 610 mm in length; however, more commonly reach 2.5 kg and 410 mm. Silver Perch are omnivorous, with algae becoming increasingly important in the diet with age.

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Flathead are masters of ambush.

Hiding under sand and mud in spots where they can wait for the current to bring food to them and then strike quickly at passing prey. Also found in deeper water.

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Focusing on the edges of channels, drop-offs, and weed-beds around sandbanks on a run-out tide can be quite productive.

A seasonal pelagic fish, Tuna are found along the Victorian coast when water surface temperatures are suitable.

Often found near rocky headlands and islands, they provide  a challenge to dedicated fishermen. Although bait can be used, most fishermen will troll a mixture of skirts and deep diving lures.

Garfish love shallow weedy areas. This provides them with good shelter and food.

In Victoria, the colder winter months are the prime time to target garfish, particularly under lights in the dark. Berley is an important tool when targeting garfish and they respond well to it.

When fishing for gars with a float watch the float carefully.

Victoria has a wide range of Leather Jackets species. They are a unique-looking fish, with beautifully coloured and marked patterns.

Sometimes difficult to catch as their sharp teeth can easily cut through the line and crush hooks. They can be found around shallow reefs and weedy areas throughout Port Philip and Westernport Bays, and along the coast.

Snook, also known as shortfin pike, are toothy critters that like shallow weedy areas.

These long and fast silverfish are often a bycatch for those in Port Phillip bay targeting snapper, whiting, and flathead.

They’re not considered good table fish but are a lot of fun to catch on light spinning gear.

Tailor are ferocious hunters that school up in big numbers. They love clear and warm water conditions often following large schools of baitfish.

They are generally targeted in Gippsland areas including Marlo, Lake Tyers & Mallacoota. They will actively feed during peak tide changes, and on sunrise and sundown.

These top table fish with fun fighting qualities make them one of the most popular fish species targeted in Victoria.

They come in a few different forms but the most sought is the King George Whiting.

They are found in good numbers in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port in shallow weedy areas, as well as estuary systems. 

Blue / Slimy Mackerel are common in Victorian coastal waters.

They can often be found in both deep water or around structures such as headlands, wharfs and jetties. They will take a variety of baits and small lures. Often targeted for food or bait.