Fishing & Aquaculture

A Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria
River Basins Map | Angling Waters A-Z | East Gippsland Basin

Angling Waters of the East Gipplsand Basin 21

Barracouta Lake, Mallacoota O 7
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242ha. 16,200ML. Also called Freshwater Lake.

A shallow lake surrounded by forest and only 400m from the beach, mud and sand bottom. Access is difficult and local knowledge and a 4WD is required. Contains very large sea mullet to 2.4kg, long-finned eels, tupong, Australian bass to 1.9kg, estuary perch, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt and common galaxias. Seldom fished.

Shrimp

Bemm River, Bemm River C 9
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Flows through dense forest, with a few small cleared areas, mostly sand substrate. Channel width is 15m. It has extensive runs to 100cm deep and pools to 2.5m. The lower reaches are heavily silted, with sand being deposited into the pools. Accessible only from the Club Terrace Road. Contains some brown trout to 1.4kg, (av. 400g), both species of eels, some Australian bass although much of their habitat has been lost, Gippsland spiny crayfish, numerous river blackfish, Australian grayling and occasional rainbow trout. Other species are tupong, southern pygmy perch, abundant short-headed lamprey, common galaxias and Australian smelt. The estuary section, below ‘the rocks’, carries good numbers of black bream and estuary perch.

Betka River, Mallacoota L 8
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A rock-ramp fishway has been installed at the pump weir.

Flows through forest and tea-tree. Width is 2-11m with narrow riffles 25-50cm deep, and pools to 110cm. The substrate is mostly soft, unstable sand with deeper gutters in the riffles, associated with instream debris, and some exposed bedrock. Boulders, aquatic vegetation and abundant debris provide fish habitat.

Accessible at various places through Crown land and from the Aerodrome Road which crosses the river 3km west of Mallacoota. Freshwater fish are both species of eel, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, common galaxias, tupong, broad-finned galaxias, short-headed lamprey, southern pygmy perch, Cox's gudgeon and striped gudgeon. Most fishing occurs in the estuary.

This has a gravel and sand substrate and a depth of 220-350cm. Sedimentation is occurring resulting in some areas becoming shallower. Contains both species of eel, black bream to 1kg, (av. 400g), yellow-fin bream, abundant sea mullet to 1.4kg, abundant estuary perch, yellow-eye mullet, trevally, luderick to 800g and dusky flathead to 700g, although there are larger fish at times. Best fishing is from late winter to early spring.

Cann River, Cann River F 8
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A wide, (9-16m) shallow river, flowing through forest in the upper reaches and farmland downstream, sand bottom. Riffle depths are 20-95cm with pools to 110cm. Severe bank erosion and sedimentation in some stream sections, particularly downstream, have resulted in very extensive areas of shallow water over a soft, unstable, sand substrate with little habitat present. At other locations fallen timber is the predominant type of fish cover.

Carries Australian bass, both eel species, Australian smelt, common galaxias, mountain galaxias, goldfish, some Australian grayling, and very occasional brown trout to 500g. The estuary is 200-600cm deep where it flows into Tamboon Inlet. Mud substrate. It contains black bream, luderick, estuary perch and mullet.

Combienbar River, Errinundra D 6
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Flows through forest and grazing land, mostly gravel and rubble substrate with some sand. Width varies from 2-10m. Water is a mixture of pools and riffles. Although there is low flow during summer, with average water depths of 20-30cm, there are numerous deep pools to 2m. In moderate environmental condition.

Carries predominantly small brown trout average 200g, (max. 600g), both species of eel, river blackfish, Australian grayling, Australian smelt, common galaxias, tupong and abundant short-headed lamprey. No accommodation and only limited camping sites along the river. A lightly fished trout stream, best fished in late summer and autumn by spinning, bait casting and floating live baits such as grasshoppers and crickets.

Errinundra River, Errinundra C 5
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Flows mostly through forest. Gravel, rubble and some rock and sand substrate. Width is from 10-18m. Water is mostly riffles and runs (20-50cm deep) with some pools to 2m deep. Low summer flow, but some deep pools persist. Carries few fish for such a pristine water. Contains abundant river blackfish, short-finned eel, some brown trout to 600g, tupong, abundant short-headed lamprey, and common galaxias. No accommodation and few places to camp by the river. Best angling in late summer to early autumn using floating baits.

Australian bass

Genoa River, Mallacoota K

Flows mainly through dense forest, rock and sand bed, heavily silted in lower reaches. Joins the Wallagaraugh River above Gipsy Point. Access is difficult. Contains both eel species, abundant Australian bass, tupong, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, abundant common galaxias, short-headed lamprey, Australian grayling, Cox's gudgeon and striped gudgeon. Survey indications are that this river contains a good population of Australian bass. The estuary has black bream to 800g, estuary perch to 600g and abundant sea mullet in the lower reaches downstream of the Princes Highway.

Goolengook River, Club Terrace C 6
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Tributary of the Bemm River. A small creek (2m wide) with a gravel/sand/mud bottom. Maximum water depth is 40cm. Contains some river blackfish, tupong, both species of eel, Australian smelt, pouched lamprey, short-headed lamprey, Gippsland spiny crayfish and a reasonable number of small-sized brown trout. The East Gippsland spiny crayfish occurs in some small tributaries.

Little River, Sydenham Inlet D 10
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A small creek flowing through dense forest. Access is very difficult. Contains black bream and estuary perch in the lower reaches.

Mallacoota Inlet, Mallacoota N 8
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2,500 ha. Accommodation, caravan, camping, jetties, boat launching.

A large estuary surrounded by forest, mud and sand bottom. Consists of a smaller ‘Top Lake’ joined to a much larger ‘Bottom Lake’ by ‘The Narrows’, a narrow section of drowned river bed. A popular angling and tourist resort with camping facilities and accommodation. Boat launching at Gipsy Point into the river or at Mallacoota into the Bottom Lake.

Most of the perimeter of both lakes is a National Park but there are landing places with toilets and fireplaces (some of these places are also home to populations of goannas, which check out picnic parties for food scraps). Contains black bream, flathead (some very big fish), luderick, mullet, trevally, sand whiting, estuary perch, garfish, tailor and mulloway in some years.

Eastern king prawns usually enter the inlet in February. Fish can be caught throughout the year but June to November is best for black bream and November to March for flathead. The Top Lake is a good spot for larger black bream. The Bottom Lake produces some good-sized flathead. However fishing methods, conditions and success vary considerably and local advice is worth obtaining. The inlet is open to commercial fishing, however four of the eight licences have been bought out through the recent voluntary buy-back scheme funded by recreational angling licence revenue.

Maramingo Creek, Mallacoota L 5
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The small estuary section contains black bream, luderick, estuary perch, and sea mullet. The small in-flowing waterway has both eel species, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, common galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, southern pygmy perch, and striped gudgeon.

Mueller River, Point Hicks H 9
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A small coastal stream (6-8m wide) flowing through forest and tea tree, mud and sand bed. Pools to 100cm deep. Fish cover provided by debris and abundant submerged aquatic vegetation. Access is via the Tamboon and Point Hicks Roads and the Bald Hills Track (turn-off approximately 43km south from Cann River township). The roads can be subject to wet weather closures and the last three kilometres are rough, narrow and steep and not recommended for caravans. There is a small camping area and boat ramp. This area is only a relatively short drive from the Thurra River camping area which is larger and easier to get to.

The river contains both eel species, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, common galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, tupong, spotted galaxias, and pouched lamprey. There are angler reports of some Australian bass being taken. The estuary is 120-550cm deep and the substrate is sand and mud. A sand bar is often present during summer with only a trickle-flow to the sea. Contains black bream, yellow-eye mullet, sea mullet, luderick, abundant estuary perch and a variety of other estuary species. It is a relatively pristine area and, despite access limitations, is popular during the holiday season. Small boats can be launched from the bank.

Swan Lake, Sydenham Inlet E 10
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162ha. 1,970ML.

A small deep (100-450cm) lake with mud substrate, sand beaches and submerged aquatic vegetation. Contains black bream, long-finned eel, yellow-eye mullet, luderick, abundant estuary perch, sea mullet, tupong, yellow-fin bream, common galaxias and flat-headed gudgeon. Accessible by the Swan Lake Track but is reported to provide poor fishing.

Sydenham Inlet, Bemm River D 11
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930ha. Accommodation, caravan, camping, a jetty and boat launching facilities.

A shallow estuary (50 to 260cm deep at low tide) surrounded by forest and tea tree, mud and sand bottom. There is a good sealed access road from the Princes Highway. Entrance to the sea closes at times, resulting in a considerable rise in water level. Carries black bream to 1.6kg, abundant estuary perch to 1.2kg, abundant yellow-eye mullet, tailor, luderick, tupong and various other estuarine fish species. An occasional brown trout to 1kg but usually much smaller, is taken below ‘the falls’ the limit of freshwater in the system.

Estuary perch are common and the weed beds in the lower channel often provide good results for estuary perch. Best taken with live bait. The fish species present and their number and size varies widely with water conditions. A large number of small-sized black bream are often a nuisance requiring a move to a new fishing location. Local bait is usually available, as is local information. Both are recommended.

Tamboon Inlet, South of Cann River F 11
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1,155ha.

Bream

An estuary surrounded by forest and tea-tree, mud and sand bottom. Water depth varies from 1.5-10m with a sand substrate. Accessible via the Tamboon Road from Cann River township. There is a boat ramp at Furnells Landing and a basic camping area at the end of Fishermans Track, off the Point Hicks Road.

Small boats can be launched from the camping area. Camping is possible at a number of sites around the inlet (north of Pelican Point, south of Old Man Point on the south-western shore and near Peters Rocks on the south-eastern shore of the Inlet) but there are no facilities at these places. Carries black bream to 2kg, estuary perch to 1.5kg in the river, trevally, luderick, flathead, yellow-eye mullet, sea mullet, yellow-fin bream, sole and occasionally snapper.

The entrance closes periodically resulting in an increase in water level and changes in the composition of the fish population. Bait can be difficult to obtain and local knowledge is needed to find the best fishing areas. Commercial fishing is permitted in this inlet. However three of the four licences have been bought out through the recent voluntary buy-back scheme funded by angling licence revenue.

Thurra River, Point Hicks M 6
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Flows through dense forest, predominantly sand bottom. River width is from 7-16m. Riffles average 53cm deep and pools are 110cm deep. Fish cover provided from debris and bank vegetation. The estuary is very small and only 40-110cm deep and can be silted up. Substrate is sand.

Accessible via the Tamboon Road (15km) and Point Hicks Road (24km) from Cann River township. Roads are narrow, winding and unsealed and can be closed after rain. There is an extensive basic camping area near the mouth of the river, which is often used as a base by those fishing the Mueller River. Carries both eel species, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, common galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, tupong, short-headed lamprey, Australian grayling and pouched lamprey. Australian bass are reported to occur in the Thurra Swamp 15km upstream from the entrance but departmental surveys have taken no Australian bass in the river.

Tonghi Creek, Club Terrace E 7
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Tributary of Cann River.

A small shallow stream with a sand bottom and good bank vegetation. Accessible from the Princess Highway and the Old Coast Road. Contains long-finned eel, tupong, Australian smelt, common galaxias, short-headed lamprey and goldfish.

Wallagaraugh River, Mallacoota M 6
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Flows from New South Wales through dense forest to join the Genoa River just above Gipsy Point. Sand and mud substrate. Road access is via a turn-off from the Princes Highway near the NSW border and there is boat access from Mallacoota Inlet.

There are extensive sand and silt banks and care needs to be taken at times of low flow. Carries good black bream to 700g at ‘the Rocks’, which under normal conditions is the upstream limit for access by boats. Several small sand banks in the area provide opportunities for bank fishing. Black bream fishing is patchy but there are usually some fish to be taken on live baits. There are also numerous estuary perch, luderick, and sea mullet in the upper river. The freshwater section contains both eel species, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, common galaxias, Australian bass, striped gudgeon, and Cox's gudgeon.

Wau Wauka Lake, Mallacoota J 10
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240ha. 5,150ML

An extremely isolated lake surrounded by forest. Accessible by a 19 km walking track. Contains eels, sea mullet, tupong, and is reported to contain good Australian bass.

Wingan Inlet, 26km SW of Mallacoota J 10
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80ha. Camping is permitted but there is no other accommodation. Availability of camping sites should be checked with the Parks Victoria Office at Cann River. Only small boats can be launched at the inlet.

Estuary surrounded by forest and tea-tree, mud and sand bottom with abundant submerged aquatic vegetation. Water depths of 120-340cm. Permanently open to the sea. Accessible via a narrow, rough unsealed road branching off the Princes Highway 24km east of Cann River. The road is not suitable for caravans.

The inlet is in the Croajingalong National Park. The river above the estuary can be reached by boat. The fish population is diverse and varies with season and conditions, but can include luderick, estuary perch, sea mullet, tailor, trevally, black bream, yellow-eye mullet, Australian salmon, flathead, both species of eels, whiting, yellow-fin bream and occasional snapper. The upper reaches of the estuary carry abundant luderick and yellow eye-mullet.

Wingan River, 26km SW of Mallacoota J 8
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Flows through forested country and rainforest into Wingan Inlet, mud and boulder bottom. Deep pools upstream of the estuary. Accessible at the Princes Highway, via a few walking tracks, or by small boat from Wingan Inlet. Only a small area of easily fishable water. Carries Australian bass, both eel species, Australian grayling, mosquitofish and the very occasional brown trout.

Estuary Perch
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Estuary perch

This species of large estuarine fish is widely distributed (78% of waters) in coastal rivers and estuaries in eastern and western Victoria. Fish have been found to be up to 8-9 years old by which time they have reached 45cm in length and up to 1.8kg in weight. They are most abundant, grow fastest and live longest in deep-channeled rivers such as the Glenelg, Hopkins and Curdies in western Victoria and in the Tambo, Mueller, Bemm, Genoa and Wallagaraugh Rivers in Gippsland.

Adults spend all their life in brackish water although young fish (1-3 year old) have been found in fresh water on occasions. Adults usually live in low salinity waters in the upper reaches of estuaries but move into higher saline water (19,000EC) during July to December to spawn. Spawning starts earlier in Gippsland in July but not until mid October to early November in western Victoria. Eggs are laid on submerged rocks and beds of aquatic plants.

The later sites are important ‘nursery areas’ and carry an abundance of fingerling estuary perch. Their food supply is of particular importance to anglers as it gives a clue as to best baits. Fish remains formed 50% of the contents of stomachs examined during a major study by the Department between 1975 and 1980. Other food items were prawns and shrimps, which were found in 41% of all stomachs. It was concluded that estuary perch are mainly surface and mid-water feeders during winter and bottom feeders during summer.

Identified fish remains included 52% yellow-eye mullet and 22% gudgeon, with the remainder being tupong, pygmy perch, common galaxias, brown trout and short-finned eel. The conclusion from a second departmental study, completed in 1986, was that harvesting of this species by anglers was negligible and usually accidental.

Few anglers are adept at fishing for and catching estuary perch. Stocks are greatly under-exploited and provide opportunities for a very rewarding fishing experience. There are good numbers of large fish with mean length of fish captured by the Department being 32cm and averaging 500g in weight. Their eating quality (flavour and texture) are superb. They can be confused with Australian bass but there are several differences. Estuary perch have a deeper body, a dished head and protruding lower jaw.

The location where they are caught will also assist in their identification, as adult estuary perch do not occur in fresh water whereas Australian bass do. Currently the minimum legal size is 25cm and there is a bag and possession limit of 10 fish. Because of the confusion between Australian bass and estuary perch in areas where both species can be caught there is a combined bag limit of 10 fish which can include a maximum of 2 Australian bass.

The following waters in Basins 21 & 22 have significant populations of estuary perch ranked in order of largest mean length of fish caught: Mallacoota Inlet, Brodribb River, Little River (Mallacoota), Snowy River, Bemm River, Wingan Inlet, Swan Lake, Tamboon Inlet, Cann River, Betka River and Mueller River.

© The State of Victoria