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

Introduction

Redfin (Perca fluviatilis) is a distinctive freshwater fish characterized by its reddish fins and dark vertical bars on a greenish-gold body. Originally from Europe, it has become well-established in many Victorian waterways. These fish prefer slow-moving waters with plenty of structure, such as lakes, dams, and slower sections of rivers.

Redfin are known for their aggressive feeding habits and can grow to significant sizes, with specimens over 2kg not uncommon. They are opportunistic predators, feeding on smaller fish, yabbies, and various aquatic insects. This voracious appetite has led to concerns about their impact on native fish populations.

Anglers enjoy targeting Redfin for their fighting spirit and table qualities. They can be caught year-round but are particularly active in the warmer months. Redfin often school, so where you catch one, there are likely to be more.

While Redfin are a popular catch, anglers are encouraged to remove them from waterways rather than practice catch-and-release. This is part of efforts to control their populations and protect native species.

What restrictions are in place for Redfin fishing in Melbourne?

There are no minimum size limits or bag limits for Redfin in Victoria. Anglers are encouraged to keep their catch and not return Redfin to the water due to their negative impact on native fish species and other recreational fisheries. It is illegal to transport live Redfin without appropriate approval from the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA). Always check local regulations before fishing, as rules can change or vary in specific waterways.

How to catch Redfin

Redfin can be caught using a variety of methods in Victoria. Bait fishing with worms, yabbies, or small fish is effective, especially when fishing near structure or drop-offs. Lure fishing is also popular, with soft plastics, small hard-bodied lures, and spinners all proving successful. When lure fishing, try retrieving with short, sharp movements to trigger the Redfin’s predatory instincts. Fishing from boats can be particularly effective, allowing anglers to target deeper water and cover more ground. In warmer months, focus on early mornings or evenings when Redfin are most active.

What should you fish with for Redfin?

When it comes to fishing for Redfin, 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 Redfin, 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 7 Baits to Use for Redfin

For those who prefer bait fishing, here are the top 7 options that have consistently produced results for Redfin:

• Live Worms
• Scrubworms
• Garden Worms
• Minnows
• Small Fish
• Yabbies
• Shrimp

The Top 9 Lures to Use for Redfin

For artificial lure enthusiasts, here are the 9 most effective options that have been proven to work wonders for Redfin:

• Soft Plastics
• Hard Bodied Lures
• Spinnerbaits
• Blades
• Vibes
• Curl Tail Grubs
• Paddle Tail Swimbaits
• Diving Crankbaits
• Minnow Lures

Where to catch Redfin in Melbourne

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

• Fyans Lake
• Goulburn Park Guild St
• Gowar East Bridge
• Kiewa Bridge
• Laanecoorie Reservoir
• Lake Boga
• Lake Buffalo
• Lake Charm
• Lake Colac
• Lake Eppalock
• Lake Nillahcootie
• Lake Wallace
• Lauriston Reservoir
• Malmsbury Reservoir
• Melton Reservoir
• Natte Yallock
• Old St Arnaud Swimming Pool
• Pykes Creek Reservoir
• Rocklands Reservoir
• Teddington Reservoirs
• Toolondo Reservoir
• Wimmera River downstream of Horsham

Other places to catch Redfin

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

• Bannockburn Lagoon
• Blue Rock Lake
• Bostock Reservoir
• Buffalo Lake
• Campaspe River
• Colac Colac Bridge
• Doakes Reserve
• Elmore Weir
• Entrance Lindsay Island
• Goulburn Weir
• Green Lake
• Gunbower Creek
• Hepburn Lagoon
• Hopkins River
• Jacksons Creek
• James Bridge
• Kennington Reservoir
• Kerang Weir
• Kiewa River at Mount Beauty
• Konong Wootong Reservoir
• Lake Bolac
• Lake Bullen Merri
• Lake Charlegrark
• Lake Eildon
• Lake Glenmaggie
• Lake Hume
• Lake Purrumbete
• Lake Tooliorook
• Lake Wendouree
• Lake William Hovell
• Lal Lal Reservoir
• Lillydale Lake
• Loddon River
• Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Lake
• Mt Beauty Pondage
• Mullaroo Mouth
• Newlyn Reservoir
• Oxley King River Access
• Parolas Bend
• Peters Bridge
• Rice's Bridge Barmah
• Tchum Lake
• The Needles
• Tronah Lake (Harrietville Dredge Hole)
• Upper Coliban Reservoir
• Warrandyte Area
• Werribee River
• Yawong Weir

FAQs about Redfin fishing in Melbourne