Fishing Mildura
The Sunraysia river system is a warm-water haven for native species including trophy Murray Cod, Golden Perch, and Silver Perch. Note that the Murray River water column falls strictly under New South Wales jurisdiction, requiring a valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence even when launching from Victorian banks. Anglers must also observe the annual Murray Cod breeding closure from September 1 to November 30 across all river stretches.
Land-based fishers can work public parklands, river reserves, and sandy red gum beaches along the waterfront. Casting running sinker rigs baited with freshwater yabbies or scrub worms into deep clay holes produces steady catches of Golden Perch and Silver Perch. Walking the bank at dusk casting large spinnerbaits or surface crawlers parallel to fallen timber yields aggressive Murray Cod strikes.
Boaters launching from Apex Park or Mildura Marina have fast access to miles of secluded river bends away from town. Trolling deep-diving hardbody lures along the steep outer timbered banks is the premier method for pinning large Murray Cod. Electric trolling motors allow anglers to hold position against river currents while casting soft plastics and chatterbaits directly into heavy timber laydowns.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- APEX PARK RIVERBANK: Wide sandy beach reserve flanked by deep clay drop-offs and fallen red gum logs. Cast running sinker rigs baited with fresh yabbies or scrub worms into the deep water channel for Golden Perch. Early morning sessions before boat and water-ski traffic increases deliver the quietest and most productive bite.
- PSYCHE BEND FORESHORE: Historic pumping station area featuring deep river bends packed with heavy timber snags. Drop live freshwater shrimp straight down beside submerged tree trunks on a light ledger setup. Rising river flow flushes baitfish along the bank, triggering active feeding runs from native perch.
- BURONGA RIVERSIDE PARK: Grassy reserve directly opposite town offering comfortable bank fishing with deep water access. Cast 5/8oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits close to submerged log jams at dusk for Murray Cod. The gentle inner bend current allows light sinkers to sit firmly on the riverbed.
- LOCK 11 DOWNSTREAM BANK: Public access reserve downstream of the lock chamber where water flushes through the weir wall. Cast heavy 1oz spinnerbaits or soft plastics into the turbulent current seams for Murray Cod and Golden Perch. Take care navigating the steep clay slopes and observe all security exclusion zones near the lock gates.
- MILDURA WHARF PRECINCT: Deep timber pylon structure in the heart of town holding resident native fish. Drop fresh yabbies or scrub worms straight down beside the timber pylons on a simple running rig for Golden Perch. Fishing during late afternoon as shadows lengthen across the water yields consistent action.
Offshore
- DARLING RIVER CONFLUENCE BENDS: Deep water junction west of town where the Darling River enters the Murray River. Troll 120mm+ deep-diving wooden hardbody lures at 2.5km/h along the deep outer clay bank for big Murray Cod. Keep your lure bumping the submerged clay ledges occasionally to trigger reaction strikes from resting fish.
- MERBEIN BENDS TIMBER FIELDS: Long winding river bends packed with dense fallen red gum laydowns in 6 to 9 meters depth. 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, deliberate retrieve.
- GOL GOL CREEK ENTRANCE: A sheltered creek mouth holding calm water away from main river current flow. 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 and Redfin.
- KIALA BENDS DEEP HOLE: An underwater clay depression dropping to 8 meters depth along a steep outer river bend. Anchor on the upstream ridge of the hole and drop fresh yabbies or large scrub worms on heavy ledger rigs for Golden Perch. The deep clay water provides essential cool refuge for big fish during hot summer days.
- WEIR 11 HEADWATER CHANNEL: Wide impounded river pool above the weir wall holding slow-moving deep water. Slow-troll wooden hardbodies or cast large surface wakebaits along the timbered margins during warm summer nights for Murray Cod. Monitor your fishfinder to track bottom contours and locate isolated snag piles.
Hot Spots
- Apex Park Reserve: Accessible riverbank parkland offering prime land-based casting for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
- Darling River Confluence: Major river junction creating a high-nutrient ambush zone for metre-plus Murray Cod.
- Lock 11 Tailrace: Deep river outflow downstream of the lock chamber holding heavy Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- Merbein Bends: Deep river channel packed with massive fallen red gum laydowns holding big native fish.
- Psyche Bend: Historic river bend featuring deep water and dense timber snags for live bait fishing.
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 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
- Apex Park Boat Ramp, Mildura:
Apex Park Boat Ramp is located off Cureton Avenue at Apex Park on the Murray River foreshore in Mildura. The facility features multi-lane concrete launching ramps serviced by floating boarding pontoons. It provides safe, all-level access to the Sunraysia river reaches with a massive paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities, electric barbecues, and shade pavilions.
Bait and Tackle
- MILDURA OUTDOOR & TACKLE: 103 Lime Avenue, Mildura VIC 3500 | Phone: (03) 5022 8444
- ETERNAL CUSTOM RODS: Mildura VIC 3500 | Phone: 0425 395 938
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Mildura Buronga Riverside: 1 Alick St, Buronga NSW 2739 - Ph: (03) 5023 3040
- BIG4 Mildura Getaway Holiday Park: 3 Mortimore Dr, Buronga NSW 2739 - Ph: (03) 5023 5300
- Mildura Riverside Holiday Park: 198-206 Benetook Ave, Mildura VIC 3500 - Ph: (03) 5023 2038
Emergency & Safety
- Transport NSW Maritime / Maritime Safety VIC: 114 Fifteenth St, Mildura VIC 3500 - Ph: 13 12 36 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
