Fishing Rocklands Reservoir
The impoundment is renowned across Victoria for its extensive stocking programs producing large Murray Cod, Golden Perch, Australian Bass, and Redfin. Large populations of freshwater yabbies inhabit the sandy mudflats, providing a rich natural food source that drives fast fish growth rates. Anglers must respect the annual Murray Cod breeding closure from September 1 to November 30 across all lake arms.
Land-based fishers can work wide sandy foreshores, rock walls, and bush camping reserves around Glendinning and the main dam wall. Setting up bank rod stands with fresh yabbies or scrub worms in deep clay drop-offs produces steady catches of Golden Perch and Redfin. Walking the timbered shorelines at dusk casting large surface crawlers or spinnerbaits gives bank fishers a real chance at a Murray Cod.
Boaters and kayak fishers can navigate miles of flooded red gum timber and submerged creek channels across the reservoir. Trolling deep-diving hardbody lures along 4 to 8-meter timber lines is a proven method for locating active 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
- GLENDINNING CAMPING FORESHORE: Expansive sandy beach reserve flanked by flooded red gum stumps 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 family camping activity increases deliver peaceful fishing and active bites.
- ROCKLANDS DAM WALL RESERVE: Elevated rocky foreshore near the main wall structure offering deep casting into open water. Cast 12g to 20g metal spinners or soft plastics far out into the deep water for Redfin and Brown Trout. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
- HARNS BAYS FORESHORE: Sheltered sandy bay featuring flooded tea-tree bushes and clear sand gaps. Drop live freshwater yabbies straight down off the clay ledge for Golden Perch and Australian Bass. High water levels allow anglers to fish directly around flooded land vegetation.
- DISMAL SWAMP RESERVES: Remote timbered bay network on the northern side offering uncrowded bank access. Walk the shoreline at dusk casting 100mm hardbody lures or surface crawlers parallel to submerged timber for Murray Cod. Sturdy boots and caution are required when walking clay slopes.
- FERNTREE CREEK ARM BANK: Quiet creek arm flanked by steep timbered banks and fallen red gum logs. Cast 5/8oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits close to submerged log laydowns for Murray Cod and Golden Perch. The gentle current allows light sinkers to sit firmly on the bottom.
Offshore
- GLENDINNING FLOODED TIMBER: Deep flooded red gum forest sitting in 5 to 12 meters depth across the main basin. Troll large 120mm+ deep-diving wooden hardbody lures at 2.5km/h close to timber trunks for trophy Murray Cod. Pinpoint active fish on your sounder and mark trees where cod sit on submerged fork branches.
- GLENELG RIVER SUBMERGED CHANNEL: The original river channel cutting through the middle of the reservoir in 8 to 14 meters depth. Vertical jig 30g soft vibes or heavy metal blades along the steep channel ledge for schooling Redfin and Golden Perch. Once you locate a school on sonar, drop anchor or use an electric motor anchor-lock to fish straight down.
- HARNS BAYS 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 Australian Bass and Golden Perch. Calm morning conditions deliver ideal sight-casting opportunities.
- DAM WALL OPEN BASIN: Deep open water basin near the main wall structure reaching depths over 18 meters. Use downriggers or lead-core lines to position small winged spinners at 8 to 14 meters depth for Brown Trout. Maintaining a precise trolling speed between 3km/h and 4km/h triggers trout strikes.
- LIMEQUARRY BENDS TIMBER LINES: Dense clusters of submerged dead trees lining the creek channel drop-off. Slow-roll 120mm soft plastics or heavy spinnerbaits through timber gaps for big Murray Cod. Using heavy 50lb braided line and strong leader is necessary to pull powerful fish out of the timber snags.
Hot Spots
- Glendinning Reserve: Accessible sandy foreshore offering premier land-based casting for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
- Glendinning Timber Fields: Massive submerged red gum forest famous for producing metre-plus Murray Cod.
- Harns Bays: Sheltered weed-rich bay network holding stocked Australian Bass and Golden Perch.
- Glenelg Channel: Submerged original river bed offering exceptional vertical jigging for schooling Redfin.
- Limequarry Bends: Secluded timbered channel producing consistent catches of Golden Perch and native cod.
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
- Rocklands Dam Wall Boat Ramp:
Rocklands Dam Wall Boat Ramp is located off Rocklands Dam Road near the main wall structure on Rocklands Reservoir. The facility features a concrete launching ramp providing direct deep-water access to the main basin across varying water storage percentages. Facilities include paved car-trailer parking, public toilets, and picnic shelters.
- Glendinning Boat Ramp, Rocklands Reservoir:
Glendinning Boat Ramp is located off Glendinning Road within the Glendinning Camping Reserve on Rocklands Reservoir. The facility consists of a concrete launching ramp accessing the flooded red gum timber fields and submerged Glenelg River channel. Facilities include unpaved trailer parking, public amenities, and bush camping grounds.
Bait and Tackle
- COMPLEAT ANGLER PORTLAND: 61 Bentinck Street, Portland VIC 3305 | Phone: (03) 5521 1844
Basecamp & Accom
- Glendinning Camping Reserve: Glendinning Rd, Rocklands VIC 3407 - Ph: (03) 5382 9900
- Balmoral Hotel & Motel: 28 Bell St, Balmoral VIC 3407 - Ph: (03) 5570 1009
- Rocklands Reservoir Foreshore Camping: Rocklands Dam Rd, Balmoral VIC 3407 - Ph: 13 19 63
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: Southern Rural Water / Victoria Police Balmoral: Bell St, Balmoral VIC 3407 - Ph: (03) 5570 1200 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
