Fishing Yarrawonga
While Yarrawonga sits on Victorian land, note that Lake Mulwala and the Murray River water column fall strictly under New South Wales jurisdiction, requiring a valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence to fish these waters. The impoundment is defined by thousands of standing dead red gum trees, shallow weed beds, and the submerged river channel. Seasonal spring runs see Golden Perch firing on live shrimp, while summer and autumn provide peak topwater casting for giant Murray Cod. Note that Murray Cod are subject to a strict closed season from September 1 to November 30 across all river stretches.
Land-based fishers can fish along the manicured Yarrawonga foreshore, the weir wall rocks, and riverbank reserves downstream. Casting large surface lures or spinnerbaits off the rock walls at dawn regularly raises big cod from the timber edge. Bank fishing with fresh yabbies or scrub worms around bridge pylons yields consistent Golden Perch and Silver Perch.
Boating and kayak fishing among the dense standing forest of Lake Mulwala requires careful slow-speed navigation. Casting swimbaits, large spinnerbaits, or surface wakebaits directly against dead gum trunks is the primary tactic for raising cod. Trolling deep-diving hardbodies along the original river channel bed also produces giant fish for anglers covering ground.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- YARRAWONGA FORESHORE ROCK-WALL: The rock breakwater along the town foreshore offers easy land-based casting into deep water. Cast large surface crawlers or 100mm hardbodies parallel to the rocks during low-light hours at dawn for Murray Cod. Dropping live shrimp on light ledger rigs around the wall boulders pulls quality Golden Perch.
- YARRAWONGA WEIR DOWNSTREAM BANK: Public reserve access downstream of the weir wall where heavy water flushes into the river channel. Cast heavy 1oz spinnerbaits or soft plastics into the swirling current seams for Murray Cod and Golden Perch. Take care navigating the steep clay banks and respect restricted security zones near the weir structure.
- LAKE MULWALA BRIDGE PYLONS: Concrete pylons supporting the highway bridge across the lake that attract resident native fish. Drop fresh yabbies or scrub worms straight down beside the concrete pylons on a simple running sinker setup. Fishing during early morning hours minimizes disturbance from passing boat traffic.
- ROUGHLEY ROAD RESERVE: A quiet riverbank reserve upstream of town featuring clay drop-offs and fallen red gum logs. Walk the bank casting 5/8oz spinnerbaits or chatterbaits close to submerged timber laydowns for Murray Cod. High water levels allow bank anglers to fish deep water right at their feet.
- CHINAMAN'S ISLAND FORESHORE: A peaceful nature reserve featuring shallow weed patches and timber points sticking out into the lake. Cast soft plastics or surface lures around the reed edges at dusk for Golden Perch and Redfin. Bring a long-handled landing net to land fish over the shallow reed margins.
Offshore
- LAKE MULWALA STANDING TIMBER: Thousands of drowned red gum trunks sitting in 2 to 5 meters of water across the main lake. Cast 150mm+ swimbaits, surface wakebaits, or heavy spinnerbaits directly against the windward side of large tree trunks for trophy Murray Cod. Using heavy 50lb to 80lb braided line is essential to stop fish from wrapping around submerged roots.
- ORIGINAL MURRAY RIVER CHANNEL: The deep river channel cutting through the middle of Lake Mulwala in 6 to 9 meters depth. Troll large 120mm deep-diving wooden hardbody lures at 2.5km/h along the channel drop-offs for metre-plus Murray Cod. Keep a close watch on your depth sounder to ensure your lure bumps the submerged riverbed snags occasionally.
- THE MAJESTIC TIMBER FIELDS: Dense timber clusters located on the northern side of the lake where water currents slow down. Drift slowly using an electric motor casting soft vibes or spinnerbaits into timber gaps for Golden Perch. Vertical jigging live shrimp or small metal blades along heavy stump bases yields consistent feeds of perch.
- BUNDALONG FLATS CONFLUENCE: The shallow river entry zone where the Ovens River meets the Murray River at the top of Lake Mulwala. Cast surface lures over shallow weed beds and timber laydowns during warm summer nights for active surface-feeding cod. Navigating this area requires extreme caution due to shallow sandbars and hidden stumps.
- YARRAWONGA SKI CLUB BAYS: Sheltered water bays featuring patchy ribbon weed and isolated stump mounds in 3 to 4 meters depth. Cast 4-inch paddletail soft plastics or chatterbaits through clear weed gaps for Golden Perch and Redfin. Calm morning conditions deliver ideal sight-casting opportunities.
Hot Spots
- Yarrawonga Foreshore: Accessible town breakwater providing premier land-based casting for trophy Murray Cod.
- Lake Mulwala Timber Fields: World-famous flooded red gum forest holding Australia's highest density of metre-plus cod.
- Original River Channel: Deep submerged river bed cutting through Lake Mulwala, ideal for trolling large hardbody lures.
- Bundalong Confluence: The junction of the Ovens and Murray rivers offering prime shallow-water topwater cod action.
- Yarrawonga Weir Tailrace: Deep river outflow downstream of the dam wall holding heavy Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
Local Bait Tips
- FRESHWATER SHRIMP: Collected by submerging fine-mesh shrimp traps baited with soap or meat along submerged tree roots and weed beds near the lake edge. Keep alive in a bucket of aerated lake water as the ultimate bait for Golden Perch.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Harvested using legal open-top drop nets baited with fresh meat in shallow farm dams or quiet lake backwaters. Keep in a cool container on damp newspaper or wet sponge to maintain lively hook action.
- SCRUB WORMS: Dug from damp clay riverbanks or garden soil following rain. Thread whole worms onto fine wire hooks for targeting Golden Perch, Silver Perch, and Redfin around bridge pylons.
- BARDEE GRUBS: Harvested from decaying red gum logs and stumps along dry river flats where legally permitted. Thread whole grubs onto snelled hooks as a traditional, highly prized bait for large Murray Cod.
Boat Ramps
- Yarrawonga Foreshore Boat Ramp:
Yarrawonga Foreshore Boat Ramp is located off Piper Street on the southern shore of Lake Mulwala in Yarrawonga. The regional facility features dual concrete launching lanes serviced by a large floating boarding pontoon. It offers all-water-level access with no tide or current issues and features a dedicated large-rig car-trailer parking area, public restrooms, fish cleaning facilities, and nearby parklands.
Bait and Tackle
- YARRAWONGA FISHING & OUTDOORS: Belmore St, Yarrawonga VIC 3730 | Phone: (03) 5744 1955
Basecamp & Accom
- Yarrawonga Holiday Park: 1 Piper St, Yarrawonga VIC 3730 - Ph: (03) 5744 3420
- Lake Mulwala Hotel Motel: 88 Belmore St, Yarrawonga VIC 3730 - Ph: (03) 5744 2490
- Kennedy Real Estate Holiday Rentals: 58 Belmore St, Yarrawonga VIC 3730 - Ph: (03) 5744 1331
Emergency & Safety
- Goulburn-Murray Water / Transport NSW Maritime: Belmore St, Yarrawonga VIC 3730 - Ph: 13 12 36 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / UHF Ch 40
