Fishing Goulburn River & Lake Nagambie
The system holds massive populations of trophy Murray Cod, Golden Perch, and Redfin, hosting major angling events like GoFish Nagambie. Water levels remain stable throughout the main lake basin due to Goulburn Weir, providing consistent year-round fishing habitat. Anglers must respect the annual Murray Cod breeding closure from September 1 to November 30 across all river reaches and lake arms.
Land-based fishers can work public parklands along the Nagambie boardwalk, Regatta Centre banks, and scenic river reserves near Seymour. Setting up bank rod stands with fresh yabbies or scrub worms in deep clay drop-offs produces steady catches of Golden Perch. Walking the steep timbered riverbanks casting spinnerbaits or hardbodies close to fallen logs yields aggressive Murray Cod strikes.
Boaters launching from the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre or Chinaman's Bridge can explore miles of impounded river water and quiet lagoon channels. Trolling deep-diving hardbodies close to steep timbered outer bends is the primary method for pinning big river cod. Electric trolling motors allow anglers to stealthily hold position while casting soft plastics and chatterbaits directly into heavy timber laydowns.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- NAGAMBIE FORESHORE BOARDWALK: Manicured timber boardwalk in central Nagambie offering easy family fishing into deep water. Cast running sinker rigs baited with fresh yabbies or scrub worms into clear sand gaps for Golden Perch. Early morning sessions before rowing and powerboat activity starts deliver peaceful fishing and active bites.
- CHINAMAN'S BRIDGE FORESHORE: Historic timber bridge area featuring deep water drop-offs and heavy standing trees. Drop live freshwater shrimp or yabbies straight down beside submerged pylon bases for Golden Perch and Silver Perch. Rising water flow through the channel activates feeding runs along the bank.
- GOULBURN WEIR TAILRACE BANK: Public reserve access downstream of the weir wall where heavy water flushes into the river channel. Cast heavy 1oz spinnerbaits or soft plastics into swirling current seams for Murray Cod and Golden Perch. Take care navigating the steep clay slopes and observe all security exclusion zones near the weir wall.
- SEYMOUR KINGS PARK RIVERBANK: Grassy river reserve upstream featuring deep clay holes and fallen red gum logs. Walk the bank casting 5/8oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits close to submerged log laydowns for Murray Cod. The gentle inner bend current allows light sinkers to sit firmly on the riverbed.
- HUGHES CREEK CONFLUENCE: High-nutrient junction where Hughes Creek enters the Goulburn River near Mitchellstown. Cast 100mm hardbody lures or surface crawlers parallel to submerged timber at dusk for Murray Cod. Sturdy footwear and caution are required when navigating steep, muddy clay banks.
Offshore
- CHINAMAN'S BRIDGE TIMBER FIELDS: Dense fields of flooded red gum trunks sitting in 3 to 6 meters depth near the bridge. Cast 150mm+ swimbaits, surface wakebaits, or heavy spinnerbaits directly against dead gum trunks for trophy Murray Cod. Using heavy 50lb braided line is essential to stop fish from wrapping around submerged roots.
- NAGAMBIE MAIN LAKE BASIN: Deep open water stretch near the rowing course reaching 6 to 9 meters depth. Slow-troll 120mm deep-diving wooden hardbody lures along the original river channel bed at 2.5km/h for metre-plus Murray Cod. Keep a close watch on your depth sounder to ensure your lure bumps submerged snags occasionally.
- MITCHELLSTOWN BENDS: Winding river channel upstream of the lake packed with massive fallen red gum laydowns. Position your boat up-current using an electric motor anchor-lock and pitch soft plastics into the timber heart. Allow your lure to sink deep into the snag structure before starting a slow retrieve.
- TAHITIAN BAYS LAGOONS: Sheltered backwater lagoons featuring patchy ribbon weed and isolated stump mounds in 2 to 4 meters depth. Drift slowly using an electric motor casting soft vibes or spinnerbaits into timber gaps for Golden Perch. Vertical jigging live shrimp along heavy stump bases yields consistent feeds of perch.
- GOULBURN WEIR HEADWATER CHANNEL: Deep impounded pool above the weir wall holding slow-moving deep water. Drop 20g soft vibes or heavy metal blades along undercut clay ledges for schooling Redfin. Once you locate a school on sonar, drop anchor or use an electric motor anchor-lock to fish straight down.
Hot Spots
- Nagambie Foreshore: Accessible town boardwalk providing premier land-based casting for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
- Chinaman's Bridge Timber: Famous flooded red gum field holding high concentrations of large Murray Cod.
- Nagambie Regatta Basin: Deep open water course ideal for trolling large hardbody lures along original river channels.
- Goulburn Weir Tailrace: Deep river outflow downstream of the weir wall holding heavy Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- Mitchellstown Bends: Secluded river stretch featuring steep clay banks and heavy timber laydowns.
Local Bait Tips
- FRESHWATER SHRIMP: Collected using fine-mesh shrimp traps submerged along 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 lake 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
- Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre Boat Ramp:
Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre Boat Ramp is located off Loddings Lane at the Regatta Centre on Lake Nagambie. The facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a floating boarding pontoon, providing safe launching into the main lake basin and rowing course. Amenities include a large paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, shaded picnic shelters, and nearby parklands.
Bait and Tackle
- AVERY'S OUTDOORS: 62 Mackay Street, Rochester VIC 3561 | Phone: (03) 5410 7466
- CONCORD RODS: PO Box 165, Yea VIC 3717 | Phone: 0405 446 123
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Nagambie Lakes: 147 Loddings Ln, Nagambie VIC 3608 - Ph: (03) 5794 2681
- Nagambie Waterfront Motel: 283 High St, Nagambie VIC 3608 - Ph: (03) 5794 2400
- Hideaway Cabins Nagambie: 25 Loddings Ln, Nagambie VIC 3608 - Ph: (03) 5794 2681
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: VICSES Nagambie / Victoria Police Nagambie: High St, Nagambie VIC 3608 - Ph: 132 500 / (03) 5794 2522 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
