Fishing Echuca
While Echuca sits on Victorian soil, note that the Murray River water column falls strictly under New South Wales jurisdiction, requiring a valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence to fish the river or northern bank. The river system is packed with fallen red gum timber, deep clay holes, and sandbars that host healthy populations of Murray Cod and Golden Perch. Spring brings excellent Golden Perch fishing as water temperatures rise, while summer and autumn provide prime river conditions for Murray Cod. Anglers need to respect the annual Murray Cod breeding closure from September 1 to November 30 across all river reaches.
Land-based fishers can work miles of public riverbank reserves, historic wharf precincts, and parkland bends. Setting up bank rod stands with fresh scrub worms or yabbies in deep clay holes produces steady catches of Golden Perch and Silver Perch. Walking the steep timbered banks casting spinnerbaits or hardbodies close to fallen logs yields aggressive Murray Cod strikes.
Boaters launching from Victoria Park or Wharparilla Drive can explore miles of winding river channels away from urban boat traffic. Trolling deep-diving hardbodies close to the steep timbered outer bends is the standard method for pinning big river cod. Electric trolling motors allow anglers to stealthily hold position while casting soft plastics and spinnerbaits directly into heavy timber laydowns.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- VICTORIA PARK RIVERBANK: Expansive public reserve offering accessible red gum banks and deep river bends. Cast running sinker rigs baited with fresh yabbies or scrub worms into deep clay drop-offs for Golden Perch. Early morning sessions before paddlesteamer traffic starts deliver peaceful fishing and active bites.
- HISTORIC ECHUCA WHARF FORESHORE: The timber pylon structures around the historic port hold resident native fish. Drop live freshwater shrimp or yabbies straight down beside the deep pylon bases for Golden Perch and Silver Perch. Rising river levels and increased water flow bring fish right up against the timber structures.
- GOULBURN RIVER CONFLUENCE BANK: The point where the Goulburn River empties into the Murray River creates a major nutrient junction. Cast heavy 1oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits into the swirling eddy water where the two river currents meet. This current junction acts as a prime ambush point for roaming Murray Cod.
- WHARPARILLA DRIVE RIVER RESERVE: Quiet riverbank access north of town featuring steep clay banks and fallen timber logs. Walk the bank casting 100mm hardbody lures or surface plugs parallel to submerged logs at dusk for Murray Cod. Sturdy footwear and caution are required when walking steep, muddy river slopes.
- CAMPASPE RIVER MOUTH PARKLAND: A sheltered river mouth precinct holding calm water away from main river currents. Float small earthworms under a bobber float near overhanging willow branches for Redfin and Golden Perch. Great family-friendly location offering easy foot access and grassy banks.
Offshore
- GOULBURN RIVER JUNCTION BENDS: Deep timber-lined river bends downstream of the confluence reaching 6 to 9 meters depth. Troll 100mm+ deep-diving hardbodies close to the outer timbered bank at slow idle speed for big Murray Cod. Keep your lure bumping the submerged logs occasionally to trigger reaction strikes.
- WHARPARILLA REACH TIMBER LAYDOWNS: Massive red gum trunks resting in deep water along the outer river channel. Position your boat up-current using an electric motor anchor-lock and pitch 5/8oz spinnerbaits or 120mm soft plastics into the timber heart. Allow your lure to sink deep into the snag structure before starting a slow retrieve.
- BARMAH FOREST RIVER MARGINS: Upstream river stretch bordering red gum forest backwaters packed with fallen timber. Cast surface lures or shallow wakebaits close to submerged log jams during warm summer evenings for Murray Cod. Navigating this narrow stretch requires watching for floating logs and shallow sandbars.
- MOAMA SLIPWAY DEEP HOLE: A deep underwater clay depression dropping to 8 meters depth opposite the main town reserve. Anchor on the upstream edge of the hole and drop fresh yabbies or large scrub worms on heavy ledger rigs for Golden Perch. The deep water provides shelter for big fish during hot summer days.
- PERRICOOTA BENDS CHANNEL: Long winding river bends featuring steep clay drop-offs and undercut banks in 5 to 7 meters depth. Slow-troll wooden hardbodies or vertical jig heavy soft vibes along the undercut clay ledges for Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Monitor your fishfinder to track bottom contours and locate snag piles.
Hot Spots
- Victoria Park Reserve: Accessible riverbank parkland offering prime land-based casting for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
- Goulburn River Confluence: Major river junction creating a high-nutrient ambush zone for large Murray Cod.
- Wharparilla Reach: Deep river channel packed with massive fallen red gum laydowns holding metre-plus cod.
- Historic Wharf Pylons: Deep timber structure in the heart of town providing shelter for resident Golden Perch.
- Moama Deep Hole: An underwater clay depression known for producing big Golden Perch and catfish on live bait.
Local Bait Tips
- FRESHWATER SHRIMP: Collected using fine-mesh shrimp traps submerged along submerged riverbank roots and reed beds, baited with soap or meat. Keep alive in an aerated bucket as the premier bait for river Golden Perch.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Harvested using legal open-top drop nets baited with meat in shallow farm dams or river backwaters. Store on damp sea-sponge or wet newspaper in a cool container. Thread through the tail for Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- SCRUB WORMS: Dug from damp clay riverbanks and garden soil following rain. Thread whole worms onto size 6 hooks for targeting Golden Perch, Silver Perch, and Redfin around deep clay banks.
- BARDEE GRUBS: Collected from decaying gum logs and stumps along dry river flats where legally permitted. Thread whole grubs onto snelled hooks as a traditional, highly prized bait for trophy river Murray Cod.
Boat Ramps
- Victoria Park Boat Ramp, Echuca:
Victoria Park Boat Ramp is located off Scenic Drive in Victoria Park along the Murray River foreshore in Echuca, managed by Campaspe Shire Council. The high-capacity facility features dual concrete and asphalt launching lanes equipped with a concrete floating pontoon jetty. It provides all-level river access with a large paved trailer carpark, public toilets, shade shelters, and lighting.
Bait and Tackle
- FIRM RODS: 42 Adelaide Crescent, Echuca VIC 3564 | Phone: 0457 142 893
- AVERY'S OUTDOORS: 62 Mackay Street, Rochester VIC 3561 | Phone: (03) 5410 7466
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Echuca: 170 Northern Hwy, Echuca VIC 3564 - Ph: (03) 5482 1533
- Echuca Holiday Park: 1 Crofton St, Echuca VIC 3564 - Ph: (03) 5482 2157
- Rich River Golf Club Resort: 24 Lane Rd, Moama NSW 2731 - Ph: (03) 5481 3333
Emergency & Safety
- Transport NSW Maritime / Maritime Safety VIC: 2 Denmark Rd, Echuca VIC 3564 - Ph: 13 12 36 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
