Fishing Mitta Mitta River
The river is famous for holding wild Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and large Murray Cod in its lower reaches. Water release events from Dartmouth Dam regulate flow rates, creating cool, oxygen-rich river conditions that trigger aggressive feeding runs for salmonids. Anglers must respect river trout breeding closures from June to September and observe the Murray Cod closed season from September 1 to November 30.
Land-based and wader fishers enjoy miles of public riverbank access along the Omeo Highway, Eskdale reserves, and township bridge pools. Casting small spinners, fly patterns, or drifted earthworms through clear bubble trails yields fast action on wild Brown Trout. Walking the lower riverbank pools casting soft plastics or spinnerbaits close to submerged log jams yields aggressive native cod.
Boaters and kayak anglers drift the wider river stretches using small inflatable rafts or light aluminum craft during stable flow releases. Trolling or casting shallow-diving minnows into deep timbered tailraces produces consistent fish for anglers covering ground. Electric trolling motors or careful paddling allow anglers to hold position against river currents while working lure casts into shady bank undercuts.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- ESKDALE RESERVE RIVERBANK: Expansive public reserve offering accessible gravel beaches and deep river bends. Cast light spinners or drift earthworms on unweighted rigs through the fast head-riffles for wild Brown Trout. Early morning sessions during summer deliver active surface rises as trout feed on emerging insects.
- MITTA MITTA TOWNSHIP BRIDGE POOL: Deep river pool directly behind the historic town precinct featuring heavy timber snags. Drop live freshwater shrimp or small yabbies straight down beside fallen logs for Golden Perch and River Blackfish. Rising river flow flushes bait along the clay bank, triggering active feeding.
- SNOWY CREEK CONFLUENCE: High-nutrient junction where Snowy Creek enters the main river channel near Mitta township. Cast small 50mm minnow lures or fly patterns into the clear current seam where the two streams merge. This current junction acts as a premier staging area for feeding Rainbow Trout.
- MAGOR'S BRIDGE RESERVE: Quiet riverbank access featuring steep clay banks and fallen red gum logs. Walk the bank casting 5/8oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits close to submerged log laydowns for Murray Cod. Sturdy wading boots and caution are required when navigating slippery river rocks.
- LIGHTNING CREEK FLATS: Gravel bar river stretch surrounded by high alpine hills offering clear wade fishing. Drift live mudeyes under a small bobber float through deep current pools for big Brown Trout. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for visual sight-casting in clear water.
Offshore
- ESKDALE REACH DRIFT: Wide river channel featuring gravel runs and deep outer timbered bends in 2 to 4 meters depth. Drift slowly in a kayak or light boat casting 70mm minnow lures or soft plastics parallel to the undercut banks for wild Brown Trout. Keep your lure swimming close to submerged root structures to trigger strikes.
- LOWER MITTA COD BENDS: Deep river stretches approaching Lake Hume packed with massive fallen red gum laydowns. Position your craft up-current using an electric motor anchor-lock and pitch 100mm hardbody lures into the timber heart. Allow your lure to sink deep into the snag structure before starting a slow retrieve.
- CANOBA BRIDGE CURRENT SEAMS: Deep river run under the bridge pylons where current accelerates through gravel gaps. Troll small shallow-diving hardbodies along the current edges at slow idle speed for Rainbow Trout and Golden Perch. Watch depth sounders to track bottom gravel bars and avoid submerged logs.
- PETER'S BENDS DEEP HOLE: An underwater clay depression dropping to 5 meters depth along a steep outer river bend. 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 afternoons.
- CALLAGHAN CREEK JUNCTION: River junction area featuring slow-moving eddy water and deep timber jams. Cast surface crawlers or wakebaits close to submerged log jams during warm summer evenings for Murray Cod. Navigating this narrow stretch requires watching for floating logs and shallow gravel bars.
Hot Spots
- Mitta Mitta Town Pool: Iconic river pool holding wild Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and native Murray Cod.
- Eskdale Reserve: Accessible public riverbank offering premier drift fishing and wading for trout.
- Snowy Creek Junction: Major mountain stream confluence creating a high-nutrient feeding zone for salmonids.
- Magor's Bridge Reach: Deep timbered river bend renowned for large native Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- Lower Mitta Drift: Scenic river stretch approaching Lake Hume offering prime kayak casting for native fish.
Local Bait Tips
- SCRUB WORMS: Dug from damp clay riverbanks and rich mountain soil following rain. Thread whole worms onto size 8 long-shank hooks for drifting through trout pools and deep clay holes.
- FRESHWATER SHRIMP: Collected using fine-mesh shrimp traps submerged along riverbank roots and reed beds, baited with meat. Keep alive in an aerated bucket as the premier bait for Golden Perch and River Blackfish.
- MUDEYES (DRAGONFLY NYMPHS): Collected by sweeping a fine-mesh land net through submerged aquatic vegetation in quiet backwaters. Keep moist on damp river weed in a cool container for float fishing trout pools.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Harvested using legal open-top drop nets baited with meat in shallow river backwaters. Store on damp sea-sponge or wet newspaper in a cool container. Thread through the tail for Murray Cod.
Boat Ramps
- Eskdale Reserve Boat Launch, Mitta Mitta River:
Eskdale Reserve Boat Launch is located off the Omeo Highway at the Eskdale Recreation Reserve along the Mitta Mitta River. The facility consists of an unpaved gravel and concrete slab launch suitable for light aluminum craft, kayaks, and drift rafts accessing the river pools. Facilities include unpaved trailer parking and reserve camping grounds.
Bait and Tackle
- WODONGA FLY & TACKLE: High St, Wodonga VIC 3690 | Phone: (02) 6056 1455
Basecamp & Accom
- Mitta Mitta Caravan Park: 1784 Mitta North Rd, Mitta Mitta VIC 3701 - Ph: (02) 6072 3568
- Eskdale Caravan Park: 104 Omeo Hwy, Eskdale VIC 3701 - Ph: (03) 5771 2222
- Mitta Pub & Cabins: 55 Omeo Hwy, Mitta Mitta VIC 3701 - Ph: (03) 5771 4207
Emergency & Safety
- Goulburn-Murray Water / VIC Police Mitta Mitta: Omeo Hwy, Mitta Mitta VIC 3701 - Ph: (03) 5770 8200 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
