LAKES ENTRANCE

One of Victoria’s premier angling and holiday destinations, Lakes Entrance is highly regarded for its surf fishing beaches and estuary fishing. Lakes Entrance is a pleasant 320km or so drive from Melbourne, and is where the expanses of Ninety Mile Beach joins the prolific waters of Lakes Entrance. Add to that some very good game fishing opportunities offshore and the wide range of summer species such as yellowtail kingfish and it is easy to see why many fishing families choose to holiday here. Waterfront cafes and the fleet of colourful fishing boats are a great attraction – some of the boats will sell the days’ catch from the jetties. Lakes Entrance is home to Victoria’s largest commercial fishing fleet, so there will always be plenty to choose from. In amongst those boats are plenty of bream and luderick feeding around the pylons and ropes – judicious use of bait and lures will keep all and sundry occupied for hours. Nearby Lake Tyers is highly regarded as a recreational fishery, and the beach offers real tranquillity and a perfect holiday option. Lake Tyers is free from commercial fishing, so fish stocks are excellent, and a range of charter operators can take you straight to the fish if needed. Anglers can find some great sight fishing around the jetties – very clear water means that sight fishing for luderick and bream can keep even the most fastidious angler happy. Boating anglers can explore the diversity of the lakes, and seek out some terrific bream, whiting and flathead fishing. Surf fishers can get some awesome sport, even in the depth of winter when some large Australian salmon and gummy sharks hunt the gutters.

PAYNESVILLE AND RAYMOND ISLAND

One fantastic way to take a break and experience the Gippsland Lakes is to base yourself at Paynesville. This amazingly picturesque town offers direct access to Lake King and Lake Victoria in the heart of the Gippsland Lakes. Being only 17km from Bairnsdale, Paynesville is regarded as the boating capital of Victoria and offers all manner of nautical pleasure for boating enthusiasts. Paynesville is home to Bulls Cruisers, a company that specialises in hiring houseboats and other smaller craft for holidaying anglers. This is a great option for those families looking to have a special Gippsland Lakes experience. Non fishing family members can join a cruise or tour, and the hinterland with all its attractions is relatively close by. It is also a great place to bring your own boat, as many of the accommodation options are very boat friendly, or hire one to explore the lakes and canals. Canals wind their way through the town and you can even stay in accommodation with a private jetty at your door. Bream love this environment, and there is always the chance to sneak in a bream or three before dinner or breakfast. A great option is to take your car on the short ferry trip to Raymond Island to see koalas in their native habitat or drive to nearby Eagle Point and the world-renowned Mitchell River silt jetties. This is a great place for some land-based fishing for bream and flathead – some whoppers are landed here every week. Many kayak fishers launch from here and experience some great fishing within sight of their car for good bream and flathead.