Brown Trout Fishing in Melbourne & Victoria: Where to Catch, Tackle & Tips

Introduction

Brown trout are characterized by their brown to golden color with black and often red spots. They typically grow to 30-40 cm in length but can reach up to 80 cm in favorable conditions. These fish prefer cool, well-oxygenated waters and are found in many Victorian rivers, streams, and lakes. Brown trout are known for their intelligence and wariness, making them a challenging catch for anglers. They feed on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fish, and crustaceans. Fishing for brown trout in Victoria is best during cooler months, from autumn through spring. Anglers often find success in early mornings or late evenings when trout are most active. Brown trout respond well to both lure and fly fishing techniques, with many anglers considering them the ultimate freshwater sport fish in Victoria.

What restrictions are in place for Brown Trout fishing in Melbourne?

Fishing for Brown trout in Victoria is subject to specific regulations that vary by water body and river section. There is no universal minimum size limit, but some waters may have size restrictions. Bag limits also vary depending on the location. It’s important to check the current Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide for specific rules. Brown trout cannot be filleted in or on Victorian waters and must be kept whole or in carcass form until away from the water. There is also a closed season for Brown trout in certain rivers, river sections, and streams, during which they cannot be taken or possessed.

How to catch Brown Trout

In Victoria, Brown trout can be caught using various techniques. Fly fishing is popular, especially with wet flies imitating aquatic insects or dry flies during insect hatches. Lure fishing with small spinners, soft plastics, or hard-bodied lures can also be effective. Bait fishing using worms, maggots, or small fish can work well in some areas. Early morning or late evening fishing often yields the best results. Focus on deep pools, undercut banks, and areas with cover in rivers and streams. In lakes, target drop-offs and weed beds.

What should you fish with for Brown Trout?

When it comes to fishing for Brown Trout, your choice of bait or lure can greatly impact your success. Based on the preferred fishing methods for this species, you can find success with nearly anything when fishing for Brown Trout, as both baits and lures are equally effective.

For the best chances of success, try using Live Worms as bait or fishing with a Soft Plastics. Remember to always check local regulations and adjust your fishing strategy based on the specific conditions and seasons in your fishing area.

The Top 8 Baits to Use for Brown Trout

For those who prefer bait fishing, here are the top 8 options that have consistently produced results for Brown Trout:

• Live Worms
• Scrubworms
• Garden Worms
• Maggots
• Minnows
• Small Fish
• Berkley Gulp Baits
• Earthworms

The Top 8 Lures to Use for Brown Trout

For artificial lure enthusiasts, here are the 8 most effective options that have been proven to work wonders for Brown Trout:

• Soft Plastics
• Hard Bodied Lures
• Spinnerbaits
• Surface Lures
• Flies
• Minnow Lures
• Wet Flies
• Dry Flies

Where to catch Brown Trout in Melbourne

Anglers in Melbourne and Victoria have numerous opportunities to catch Brown Trout. We've compiled a diverse list of locations across Melbourne and Victoria where anglers have reported success in catching Brown Trout. From popular fishing spots to lesser-known gems, there's a variety of options to explore.

Below, we've highlighted some of the best places to cast your line for Brown Trout. Each location offers its own unique features and challenges, so be sure to research the specific conditions and best practices for each spot before your visit.

More Great Locations

Because there are so many great places to catch Brown Trout in Victoria, it is hard to give them all the attention they deserve. Here are some more locations where Brown Trout is a primary target species:

• Bostock Reservoir
• Buchan River
• Buckland Bridge
• Bunyip River
• Campaspe River
• Campflat
• Cheshunt Bridge Fishing Area
• Cobungra River
• Colac Colac Bridge
• Cudgewa Creek
• Dargo River
• Deep Creek
• Edi Cutting Camping Grounds
• Eildon Pondage
• Ellis Bridge
• Fyans Lake
• Gellibrand River
• Germans Road Access Point
• Goulburn River (Pondage to Alexandra)
• Hamiltons Bridge Fishing Spot
• Haunted Stream
• Hepburn Lagoon
• Hopkins River
• Jacksons Creek
• Kiewa River at Mount Beauty
• Killara
• King River
• Konong Wootong Reservoir
• La Trobe River
• Lake Bolac
• Lake Bullen Merri
• Lake Dartmouth
• Lake Purrumbete
• Lake Tooliorook
• Lake Wallace
• Lake Wendouree
• Lake William Hovell
• Lal Lal Reservoir
• Lauriston Reservoir
• Lerderderg River
• Lower Merri River
• Macalister River
• Malmsbury Reservoir
• Mitchell River
• Mitta Mitta River
• Moorabool River
• Morwell River
• Moyhu Riverside Park
• Mt Beauty Pondage
• Nariel Creek
• Newlyn Reservoir
• Ovens River
• Peters Bridge
• Snowy River
• Tanjil River
• Tarago River
• Tarra River Headwaters
• Teddington Reservoirs
• The Needles
• Thomson River
• Thornton Beach
• Thowgla Creek
• Timbarra River
• Toolondo Reservoir
• Tronah Lake (Harrietville Dredge Hole)
• Upper Kiewa River
• Wonnangatta River

Other places to catch Brown Trout

While Brown Trout are not the main target at these locations, they can still be caught here. If you're looking for more of a challenge or want to try your luck in different settings, these spots might be worth exploring. Keep in mind that fishing for Brown Trout in these areas may require different techniques or patience, as they're not as abundant as in the primary locations. However, this can add an exciting element of surprise to your fishing experience.

Additional Secondary Locations

For the sake of brevity, we can't provide detailed descriptions for every location where Brown Trout might be found. However, to give you a comprehensive overview, here's a list of additional spots where anglers have reported catching Brown Trout, even though they may not be the primary target species in these areas:

• Lake Eildon
• Lake Hume
• Murchison East
• Pigs Point
• Rocklands Reservoir
• Tarwin River - West Branch
• Upper Coliban Reservoir
• Upper Yarra River

FAQs about Brown Trout fishing in Melbourne