Fishing Lake Hume
Victorian fishing regulations and a valid Victorian Fishing Licence apply across Lake Hume up to Seven Mile Creek at Talmalmo, with reciprocal licence recognition in place for NSW licence holders. The dam holds massive populations of trophy Murray Cod, Golden Perch, Brown Trout, and Redfin. Anglers must respect the annual Murray Cod breeding closure from September 1 to November 30 across all lake arms.
Land-based fishers can work accessible shorelines around Ebden Reserve, Lake Hume Resort, and Bellbridge foreshore. Casting fresh yabbies or scrub worms off steep clay banks yields consistent catches of Golden Perch and Redfin. Walking the rocky edges at dusk casting large surface plugs or spinnerbaits gives bank anglers a genuine chance at a trophy Murray Cod.
Boaters and kayak fishers can navigate deep submerged river channels, flooded red gum forests, and sheer rock drop-offs across the main basin. Trolling deep-diving hardbody lures along 6 to 10-meter timber lines is a proven method for pinning large Murray Cod and Golden Perch. Using high-resolution sonar to locate bait balls suspended around submerged trees allows anglers to vertically jig soft vibes or metal blades.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- EBDEN RESERVE FORESHORE: Wide grassy parkland featuring accessible clay banks and gentle drop-offs. Cast running sinker rigs baited with fresh yabbies or scrub worms into deep water gaps for Golden Perch. Early morning sessions before jet-ski and boating traffic increases deliver peaceful fishing and active bites.
- BELLBRIDGE ROCKY POINTS: Steep granite and clay points sticking out into the main basin near the bridge. Cast 12g to 20g metal spinners or heavy minnow lures far out into the deep water for Brown Trout and Redfin. Note that Victorian fishing regulations and licences apply across the lake basin.
- LAKE HUME RESORT BANK: Sheltered bay area near the resort featuring flooded tea-tree bushes and clear sand gaps. Drop live freshwater shrimp or yabbies straight down off the clay ledge for schooling Golden Perch. High water levels allow anglers to fish directly around flooded land vegetation.
- LUDLOWS RESERVE BEACH: Sandy shoreline near the Mitta Arm entry offering comfortable beach fishing for families. Set up rod stands and fish ledger rigs loaded with earthworms or sweetcorn for Redfin and European Carp. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
- BONEGILLA TIMBER BANK: Quiet shoreline access near the historic camp area featuring fallen red gum logs. Walk the bank casting 100mm hardbody lures or surface crawlers parallel to submerged timber at dusk for Murray Cod. Sturdy footwear and caution are required when walking clay slopes.
Offshore
- MITTA ARM FLOODED TIMBER: Deep flooded river valley packed with standing dead red gum trees in 10 to 20 meters depth. Troll large 120mm+ deep-diving wooden hardbody lures at 2.5km/h close to the timber trunks for trophy Murray Cod. Pinpoint active fish on your sounder and mark trees where cod sit on submerged fork branches.
- MURRAY ARM CHANNEL DROP-OFF: The submerged original Murray River bed dropping sharply from 8 meters into 22 meters depth. Vertical jig 30g soft vibes or heavy metal blades along the steep channel ledge for schooling Redfin. Once you locate a school on sonar, drop anchor or use an electric motor anchor-lock to fish straight down.
- HUME DAM WALL BASIN: Deep open water basin near the main wall reaching depths over 30 meters. Use downriggers or lead-core lines to position small winged spinners at 12 to 18 meters depth for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Maintaining a precise trolling speed between 3km/h and 4km/h triggers trout strikes.
- BELLBRIDGE BAY WEED MARGINS: Sheltered bays featuring patchy ribbon weed and isolated stump mounds in 3 to 6 meters depth. Cast soft plastics or 5/8oz spinnerbaits into submerged bushes during early morning heat for Golden Perch. Calm morning conditions deliver ideal sight-casting opportunities.
- BONEGILLA DEEP HOLE: An underwater clay depression dropping to 12 meters depth near the Mitta River mouth. 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.
Hot Spots
- Ebden Reserve: Accessible Victorian foreshore offering premier land-based casting for Golden Perch and Redfin.
- Mitta Arm Timber: Massive submerged red gum forest famous for producing metre-plus Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- Bellbridge Points: Deep granite headlands providing productive shore casting for Trout and Redfin.
- Hume Dam Wall Basin: Deep open water trolling zone for wild Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.
- Murray Arm Channel: Submerged original river channel offering exceptional vertical jigging for schooling Redfin.
Local Bait Tips
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Trapped in shallow dam bays using legal open-top drop nets baited with fresh meat, strictly avoiding illegal opera house traps. Store in a cool shade box with damp newspaper or wet sea-sponge to keep them lively.
- 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 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.
- MUDEYES (DRAGONFLY NYMPHS): Collected by sweeping a fine-mesh land net through submerged aquatic vegetation in quiet dam bays. Keep moist on damp lake weed in a cool container for float fishing trout.
Boat Ramps
- Ebden Reserve Boat Ramp, Lake Hume:
Ebden Reserve Boat Ramp is located off the Murray Valley Highway at Ebden Reserve on the Victorian foreshore of Lake Hume. The facility features dual concrete launching lanes serviced by a boarding pontoon, providing deep-water access to the Mitta Arm. Amenities include a large paved car-trailer carpark, public toilets, playground, and barbecue shelters.
Bait and Tackle
- BENALLA BAIT AND TACKLE: 191 Bridge Street East, Benalla VIC 3672 | Phone: (03) 5762 5881
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Lake Hume Victoria: 1 Denmark Rd, Lake Hume VIC 3691 - Ph: (03) 6020 6130
- Lake Hume Resort Wodonga: 1 Riverina Hwy, Lake Hume Village NSW 2640 - Ph: (02) 6049 8100
- Lake Hume Caravan Park Ebden: 2 Silky Oak Ave, Ebden VIC 3691 - Ph: (03) 6020 6100
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Lake Hume (VF11): Cnr Maher Rd & Murray Valley Hwy, Bonegilla VIC 3691 - Ph: 0448 464 423 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
