Fishing Ninety Mile Beach
General fishing in Ninety Mile Beach is dominated by massive seasonal runs of Australian salmon and large gummy sharks traveling along the sandbanks. Water temperatures fluctuate significantly, with summer warming triggering active feeding from flathead and snapper in nearshore areas. Anglers must secure all heavy tackle firmly as the massive ocean sweep easily drags rods into the surf.
Land-based surf fishing is the absolute pinnacle here, requiring anglers to constantly read the shifting sandbars and deep gutters. Casting heavy grapnel sinkers into the turbulent wash is mandatory to anchor baits in the aggressive lateral sweep. The steep sandy drop-offs allow predators to hunt incredibly close to the shoreline during the high tide periods.
Offshore and boat fishing along this protected coastline requires launching from established channels such as McLoughlins Beach or Lakes Entrance. High-energy surf conditions make vehicle beach launching strictly prohibited and highly dangerous inside the Marine National Park boundaries. Once through the channel systems, boaters can access productive offshore artificial reefs and oil rig structures.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Golden Beach Surf: Anglers should target the distinct dark water trenches during the run-in tide for explosive salmon action. A heavy surf rod paired with a large spinning reel is essential to cast metal slugs over the breaking waves. Using a slow, steady retrieval technique ensures the lure stays in the strike zone longer and attracts more hits.
- Woodside Beach: This southern section offers excellent evening fishing where gummy sharks move into the shallows to feed. Deploying a running sinker rig with a large chunk of fresh squid will consistently outfish older, frozen baits. Anglers must secure their rods firmly in deep sand spikes to prevent losing gear during violent, unexpected strikes.
- Paradise Beach: Walking a few hundred meters away from the main access tracks guarantees an untouched gutter all to yourself. Casting a paternoster rig baited with salted pilchards into the churning whitewash is highly effective for yellow-eyed mullet. Fishing during the early morning hours provides the calmest conditions before the coastal sea breezes begin to howl.
- Lakes Entrance Surf Beach: The deep drop-offs immediately adjacent to the artificial entrance walls act as an absolute magnet for predatory fish. Using live mullet on a snelled hook rig is the ultimate tactic for intercepting a roaming, trophy-sized mulloway. You must use incredibly strong, abrasion-resistant leaders to prevent being cut off by the sharp gill plates of the fish.
- McLoughlins Beach Surf: Crossing the footbridge reveals a wild, windswept stretch of sand that fishes exceptionally well during winter storms. Casting heavy star sinkers into the foaming gutters anchors your bait perfectly in the aggressive lateral current. Large tailor frequently hunt in these turbulent waters, making a short wire trace a wise addition to your rig.
Offshore
- Lakes Entrance Offshore Grounds: Navigating the treacherous artificial entrance requires absolute precision and intimate knowledge of the current tidal conditions. Trolling skirted lures a few kilometres offshore is a proven method for hooking into aggressive yellowtail kingfish. Anglers should closely monitor the local bar-crossing cameras and only attempt the journey during a high slack tide.
- The Oil Rigs: These massive offshore structures create artificial reefs that host an incredible ecosystem of marine life. Dropping heavy jigs or large live baits directly adjacent to the pylons will quickly attract massive snapper and sharks. You must strictly adhere to the maritime exclusion zones and maintain a safe distance from the active drilling platforms.
- Lake Victoria Main Basin: For those seeking sheltered boating, this inland sea offers endless opportunities for targeting dusky flathead. Drifting slowly with the wind while dragging soft plastics across the bottom is a highly relaxing and productive technique. Anglers should use a drogue to slow their drift speed during the stiff afternoon sea breezes.
- McLennan Strait: This natural bottleneck concentrates the flow of water and baitfish moving between the major lake systems. Trolling shallow-running hardbody lures close to the reedy margins frequently results in explosive strikes from large black bream. The minimal current allows for incredibly light tackle, which significantly increases the sport fishing appeal of this location.
- Lake King Drop-offs: The steep underwater ledges found in this section of the lakes are prime holding grounds for winter bream. Anchoring on the edge of the shelf and casting unweighted baits into the deeper water is the preferred local method. A highly sensitive rod tip is crucial for detecting the incredibly subtle bites these fish exhibit during the colder months.
Hot Spots
- The Golden Beach Wreck: An exposed iron spine on the beach that creates a permanent, fish-holding surf gutter.
- Loch Sport Lake Frontage: A shallow, sandy margin perfect for wading and flicking small lures for flathead.
- Marlay Point Camp Jetty: A highly protected timber structure that consistently yields quality bream on fresh worms.
- Woodside Gutter: A deep, fast-flowing coastal depression holding large schools of gummy sharks.
- Delray Beach Wash: A turbulent ocean margin holding large quantities of Australian salmon.
Local Bait Tips
- Bass Yabbies: Locate soft mudflats in the lower estuary at low tide and look for their distinct small burrows. Use a metal hand pump to extract them from the wet sand and store them in fresh saltwater.
- Pipis: Search the wet sand of the intertidal surf wash zones along ocean beaches just as the wave recedes. Twist your feet into the sand to locate the hard shells and collect them by hand.
- Sand Worms: Lay a wet mesh bag containing oily fish frames in the active surf wash on an outgoing tide. Watch for the worm heads emerging from the sand and use specialized pliers or your fingers to pull them out quickly.
Boat Ramps
- McLoughlins Beach:
Location: Off Foreshore Road, east of McLoughlins Beach township, accessing McLoughlins Channel. Access via McLoughlins Channel is restricted by tidal conditions, and the bar entrance is unmarked, has limited water depth, and is subject to dangerous wave conditions and active beach/dune erosion. This dual-lane concrete boat ramp features upgrades nearing completion in 2025/2026. It is equipped with a main landing jetty, secondary jetty, and a pedestrian footbridge to Ninety Mile Beach. Vehicles are managed through a structured layout to prevent dune erosion and protect saltmarsh communities. The facility is managed by the Wellington Shire Council.
Bait and Tackle
- ALLWAYS ANGLING: Shop 1/29 Church Street, Traralgon VIC 3844 | Phone: (03) 5174 8544
- EAST END BAIT TACKLE: 577 The Esplanade, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909 | Phone: (03) 5155 1593
Basecamp & Accom
- Paradise Beach Campground: Paradise Beach Road, Paradise Beach, Phone: 13 19 63
- Woodside Beach Caravan Park: 42 Woodside Beach Road, Woodside Beach, Phone: 03 5187 1415
- Marlay Point Campground: Marlay Point Road, Marlay Point, Phone: 13 19 63
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Lakes Entrance: Emergency: 000, VHF: 16, Phone: 03 5155 1680
