Fishing Ovens River
The river is famous for holding wild Brown Trout in its upper reaches and trophy Murray Cod and Golden Perch in its lower reaches. Clear water and clean gravel beds foster abundant aquatic life, triggering active surface feeding runs during warm summer months. 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 can work public parklands at Wangaratta Apex Park, Myrtleford reserves, and quiet river bends along the Great Alpine Road. Casting light spinners or fly patterns in upper gravel runs yields fast action on wild trout. Walking lower riverbanks casting spinnerbaits or hardbody lures close to submerged red gum logs produces aggressive Murray Cod strikes.
Boaters and kayak fishers can launch from Templeton Street or rural river reserves to explore secluded timber reaches away from towns. 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 spinnerbaits directly into heavy timber laydowns.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- WANGARATTA APEX PARK FORESHORE: Expansive public riverfront reserve offering accessible grassy banks and deep river bends. Cast running sinker rigs baited with fresh yabbies or scrub worms into deep clay drop-offs for Golden Perch. Early morning sessions before park traffic increases deliver peaceful fishing and active bites.
- MYRTLEFORD RIVER RESERVE BANK: Picturesque gravel bank access near Myrtleford featuring clear current pools and fallen timber. Cast small 50mm minnow lures or metal spinners through fast head-riffles for wild Brown Trout. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for visual sight-casting in shallow clear water.
- PIONEER BRIDGES RESERVE (EVERTON): Deep river pool under the historic bridge structures holding heavy timber snags. Drop live freshwater shrimp or yabbies straight down beside submerged log laydowns for Golden Perch and Trout Cod. Rising river flow flushes bait along the bank, triggering active feeding.
- BRIGHT CENTENARY PARK WATERWAY: Shallow alpine river stretch surrounded by parklands offering clear wade fishing. Float small earthworms under a bobber float near overhanging willow branches for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Great family-friendly location offering easy foot access and clear water.
- GAPSTEAD TIMBER BEND: Secluded river bend flanked by red gum trees and steep clay drop-offs. Walk the bank casting 100mm hardbody lures or surface plugs parallel to submerged logs at dusk for Murray Cod. Sturdy footwear and caution are required when walking steep river slopes.
Offshore
- OVENS LOWER REACH DRIFT: Wide river channel approaching Bundalong featuring deep timbered bends in 3 to 6 meters depth. Drift slowly in a kayak or light boat casting 5/8oz spinnerbaits or 120mm soft plastics parallel to the undercut banks for Murray Cod. Keep your lure swimming close to submerged root structures.
- WANGARATTA BENDS TIMBER LAYDOWNS: Massive red gum trunks resting in deep water along the outer river channel. 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.
- PICKLES BENDS CHANNEL: Long winding river stretch featuring steep clay drop-offs and undercut banks in 4 to 7 meters depth. Slow-troll wooden hardbodies or vertical jig heavy soft vibes along the undercut clay ledges for Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Monitor your fishfinder to track bottom contours and locate snag piles.
- TARRAWINGEE DEEP HOLE: An underwater clay depression dropping to 6 meters depth opposite rural farmland reserves. 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.
- BUNDALONG APPROACH BENDS: Lower river stretch where water slows down before entering Lake Mulwala. Cast surface lures or shallow wakebaits close to submerged log jams during warm summer evenings for Murray Cod. Navigating this narrow stretch requires watching for floating logs and shallow sandbars.
Hot Spots
- Apex Park Reserve: Accessible central riverbank parkland offering prime land-based casting for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
- Myrtleford River Reserve: Picturesque gravel river stretch renowned for wild Brown Trout wading and light spinning.
- Pioneer Bridges Reserve: Deep timbered river bend at Everton holding resident Golden Perch and protected Trout Cod.
- Ovens Lower Reach: Deep river channel packed with massive fallen red gum laydowns holding metre-plus cod.
- Bright Parklands: Clear alpine river stretch ideal for family trout fishing and fly casting.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Boat Ramps
- Myrtleford River Reserve Ramp:
Myrtleford River Reserve Ramp is located off Lewis Avenue along the Ovens River foreshore in Myrtleford. The facility consists of a concrete and gravel launching ramp slab suitable for small aluminum craft, kayaks, and drift boats accessing the upper Ovens River trout and native fish pools. Facilities include unpaved trailer parking, public toilets, and shaded riverbank picnic areas.
Bait and Tackle
- BENALLA BAIT AND TACKLE: 191 Bridge Street East, Benalla VIC 3672 | Phone: (03) 5762 5881
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Wangaratta North Holiday Park: 241 Tone Rd, Wangaratta VIC 3677 - Ph: (03) 5721 3368
- Myrtleford Caravan Park: Lewis Ave, Myrtleford VIC 3737 - Ph: (03) 5752 1598
- Bright Holiday Park: 1 Murray St, Bright VIC 3741 - Ph: (03) 5755 1141
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: VICSES Wangaratta / Victoria Police Wangaratta: Handley St, Wangaratta VIC 3677 - Ph: 132 500 / (03) 5723 0800 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
