Fishing in the city

Victoria Harbour has a healthy fish population, with 19 species recorded in Docklands. Bream is the most abundant species, while other commonly found fish include snapper, mullet, luderick, trevally, salmon, flathead, tailor and mulloway.

If you are fishing from a pontoon in Docklands, please give priority to any vessels attempting to berth.

Fishing in Docklands

We welcome recreational fishing in the City of Melbourne and ask visitors to follow these guidelines to help keep our waterways safe and enjoyable. 

Do:

• Give way to vessels: If you’re fishing from a pontoon, always allow boats to berth safely.
• Respect the environment: Dispose of fishing lines, hooks and bait responsibly to protect wildlife.
• Share the space: Be considerate of other waterway users and maintain a safe distance. 

Don’t:

• Fish near the floating wetlands: These areas support new wildlife and help improve water quality. Fishing in these zones can disturb habitats and impact the local ecosystem.

Licenses and safety information

A fishing license is required for recreational fishing in all of Victoria’s marine, estuarine and fresh waters. Limits apply to the size and number of fish that can be taken. Licenses can be purchased from most fishing tackle shops or online through the Victorian Fisheries Authority External link.

People fishing in the Lower Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers should take care when eating their catch, especially after flooding or heavy rain. Better Health Channel External link provides guidance on consuming fish caught in urban waterways.

Fishing locations

The main fishing locations are:

• Harbour Lights Landing
• Collins Landing Wharf
• Near Webb Bridge (under Charles Grimes Bridge)
• Water Plaza
• New Quay Marina (public arms)
• Melbourne City Marina (public arms)
• Yarra’s Edge Marina (public arms)