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

Introduction

Rainbow trout are distinguished by their colorful appearance, featuring a pink or red lateral stripe and numerous dark spots on their bodies. They typically inhabit cool, clean waters and can be found in many Victorian rivers, streams, and lakes. These fish are highly adaptable and can thrive in various environments, from small creeks to large reservoirs. Rainbow trout are known for their acrobatic fights when hooked, making them a favorite among anglers. They feed on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fish, and crustaceans. In Victoria, rainbow trout are often stocked in family fishing lakes during school holidays to provide accessible fishing opportunities. Anglers can target rainbow trout using various methods, including fly fishing, lure casting, and bait fishing. The best times to fish for rainbow trout are usually early morning or late evening when they are most active.

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

Rainbow trout fishing in Victoria is subject to various regulations. The minimum legal size and bag limits vary depending on the water body or river section. Some waters have no minimum size. Anglers must keep rainbow trout whole or in carcass form while on Victorian waters; filleting is only allowed away from the water or at designated cleaning tables at boat ramps. There is a closed season for rainbow trout in certain rivers, river sections, and streams, during which they cannot be taken or possessed. For specific regulations, anglers should check the Victorian Fisheries Authority website or local fishing guides.

How to catch Rainbow Trout

To catch rainbow trout in Victoria, anglers can use various techniques. Fly fishing with wet or dry flies is popular in rivers and streams. Lure casting with small spinners, soft plastics, or hard-bodied lures can be effective in both flowing and still waters. Bait fishing with worms, maggots, or PowerBait is often successful, especially in stocked lakes. When fishing in rivers, focus on pools, eddies, and undercut banks where trout may hold. In lakes, try fishing near drop-offs, weed beds, or submerged structures. Early morning and late evening are generally the best times to target rainbow trout.

What should you fish with for Rainbow Trout?

When it comes to fishing for Rainbow Trout, your choice of bait or lure can greatly impact your success. Based on the preferred fishing methods for this species, you will have a bit more success with lures when fishing for Rainbow Trout, but bait fishing is common too.

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 11 Baits to Use for Rainbow Trout

For those who prefer bait fishing, here are the top 11 options that have consistently produced results for Rainbow Trout:

• Live Worms
• Scrubworms
• Garden Worms
• Maggots
• Crickets
• Minnows
• Small Fish
• Berkley Gulp Baits
• Corn
• Grubs
• Grasshoppers

The Top 15 Lures to Use for Rainbow Trout

For artificial lure enthusiasts, here are the 15 most effective options that have been proven to work wonders for Rainbow Trout:

• Soft Plastics
• Hard Bodied Lures
• Spinnerbaits
• Blades
• Surface Lures
• Flies
• Curl Tail Grubs
• Paddle Tail Swimbaits
• Worms
• Stick Baits
• Diving Crankbaits
• Minnow Lures
• Metal Blades
• Wet Flies
• Dry Flies

Where to catch Rainbow Trout in Melbourne

Anglers in Melbourne and Victoria have numerous opportunities to catch Rainbow Trout. We've compiled a diverse list of locations across Melbourne and Victoria where anglers have reported success in catching Rainbow 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 Rainbow 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 Rainbow Trout in Victoria, it is hard to give them all the attention they deserve. Here are some more locations where Rainbow Trout is a primary target species:

• Campflat
• Cheshunt Bridge Fishing Area
• Colac Colac Bridge
• Edi Cutting Camping Grounds
• Eildon Pondage
• Fyans Lake
• Goulburn River (Pondage to Alexandra)
• Hamiltons Bridge Fishing Spot
• Hepburn Lagoon
• Kennington Reservoir
• Kiewa Bridge
• Kiewa River at Mount Beauty
• Konong Wootong Reservoir
• Lake Bolac
• Lake Bullen Merri
• Lake Glenmaggie
• Lake Purrumbete
• Lake Tooliorook
• Lake Wallace
• Lake Wendouree
• Lake William Hovell
• Lillydale Lake
• Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Lake
• Mt Beauty Pondage
• Ovens River
• Peters Bridge
• Thornton Beach
• Toolondo Reservoir
• Tronah Lake (Harrietville Dredge Hole)
• Upper Kiewa River

Other places to catch Rainbow Trout

While Rainbow 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 Rainbow 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 Rainbow Trout might be found. However, to give you a comprehensive overview, here's a list of additional spots where anglers have reported catching Rainbow Trout, even though they may not be the primary target species in these areas:

• King River
• Lake Buffalo
• Lake Dartmouth
• Lake Eildon
• Lauriston Reservoir
• Malmsbury Reservoir
• Mitta Mitta River
• Nariel Creek
• Newlyn Reservoir
• Rocklands Reservoir
• Teddington Reservoirs
• The Needles
• Thowgla Creek
• Timbarra River

FAQs about Rainbow Trout fishing in Melbourne