If you’re planning a weekend getaway or even just a quick Mornington Peninsula day trip, casting a line is one of the best ways to slow down and enjoy the coast. The region has long been a favourite for locals and visitors alike, thanks to its mix of family-friendly fishing spots, adventurous ocean beaches, and calm piers perfect for a lazy afternoon.
In this guide, we’ll cover 6 top fishing spots on the Mornington Peninsula, from sheltered bays to rugged surf beaches, plus a couple of extras worth checking out. Whether you’re new to the sport and looking for easy pier fishing, or a seasoned angler chasing bigger bay fish offshore, you’ll find plenty of options here.
Rye Pier – The Classic Choice
- Location: Bay Trail, Rye VIC 3941, Australia, bout 1.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne along the Nepean Highway.
- Opening hours: Open year-round, no entry restrictions.
- What you can catch: Famous for squid, but also snapper, garfish, salmon, and flathead.
- Parking availability: Large foreshore car park right near the pier.
- Useful facilities: Public toilets, picnic tables, BBQ areas, and nearby fish & chip shops.
- Best for: Families with kids (safe and sheltered), night anglers chasing squid, and casual visitors combining fishing with a day on the beach.
Rye Pier is one of the most top fishing locations in Victoria because it offers a true all-round experience. By day, it’s one of the easiest spots for beginners or families to try their hand at fishing with plenty of space and calm conditions.
Locals often time their visits around the tide changes – especially in warmer months – because that’s when flathead, snapper and garfish become more active near the structure and weed beds that hug parts of the pier.
And for families, it’s not just about the catch: there’s the playground, the walk, the cafés – you can spend half your evening just sitting on the end of the pier watching boats and marine life, then drop a line.
Sorrento Ocean Beach – Surf Casting for Salmon
- Location: Victoria, Australia
- Opening hours: Public access year-round; best at dawn/dusk or during squid season.
- What you can catch: King George whiting, Australian salmon, snapper, silver trevally, barracouta, pike, wrasse, leatherjackets, and large squid.
- Parking availability: There is a car park near the pier; expect buses of anglers and weekend traffic.
- Useful facilities: Public toilets, walking trails nearby, picnic areas (Bass Park), and shaded spots.
- Best for: Anglers who want multiple species in one spot; people who enjoy squid at night; couples or friends combining fishing and scenic walks.
Sorrento Back Beach has a wild charm, with sandstone cliffs and rough waves setting the scene for sunset. If you clamber across the rocks on the far right, you’ll find a quieter pocket of sand, cool formations, and a direct view of the sun dipping into the horizon. Just mind the tide – it’s a spot worth coming back to.
Flinders Pier –Top Spot for Big Squid and Occasional King fish
- Location: The Esplanade, Flinders VIC 3929, Australia
- Opening hours: Access year-round; note: some parts may be closed or restricted after storm damage (check local updates).
- What you can catch: Octopus, cuttlefish and some larger fish amongst the wreckage and weeds.
- Parking availability: Foreshore parking is nearby; weekends and holidays can get busy.
- Useful facilities: The pier has two platforms, good viewing spots, pleasant seating; excellent for combining fishing with other outdoor activity.
- Best for: Anglers after snapper or whiting; those who don’t mind deeper water; visitors wanting a picturesque spot with fish-and-chips or views when you’re not pulling lures.
Flinders Pier is one of those fishing spots in Mornington Peninsula where you never quite know what you’ll pull in – due to the mix of sand holes and weed beds underneath and around the structure.
That makes it a magnet for both reef and pelagic species: early mornings often bring flathead or whiting, but when the light fades and tides turn, squid come alive and fill the end of the pier.
It’s especially favoured by locals for late afternoon sessions, and the surrounding park means you can turn a fishing outing into a full relaxed sunset watching session here in Mornington Peninsula.
Gunnamatta Ocean Beach – Known for Salmon and Strong Surf
Location: Truemans Road, Fingal, within Mornington Peninsula National Park.
What you can catch: Australian salmon (prime target), with the chance of gummy sharks and flathead in deeper gutters.
Parking availability: There are 2 parks at this beach:
Useful facilities: Toilets and picnic areas; lifeguards patrol in summer. Note: strong rips and currents – swimming here is not advised outside patrolled zones.
Best for: Experienced surf fishers who enjoy challenging conditions and chasing salmon runs.
Gunnamatta is one of the peninsula’s most talked-about surf fishing beaches — and with good reason. In winter and spring, schools of salmon move close to shore, creating the perfect opportunity for long casts into the rolling surf.
The beach’s shifting sandbanks and deep gutters also make it a potential spot for bigger species like gummies if you’re prepared to fish into the evening. It’s not the most family-friendly fishing spot, but for those who want an adventurous day out and don’t mind braving the elements, Gunnamatta offers some of the most rewarding surf casting on the Mornington Peninsula.
Portsea Pier – Deep Water for Snapper and Trevally
- Location: Portsea Pier, far western tip of Mornington Peninsula, overlooking Port Phillip Bay.
- Opening hours: Access year-round; note: some parts may be closed or restricted after storm damage (check local updates).
- What you can catch: Small pinkies, whiting, garfish, leatherjackets, flatheads; occasionally snapper.
- Parking availability: Foreshore parking is nearby; weekends and holidays can get busy.
- Useful facilities: The pier has two platforms, good viewing spots, pleasant seating; excellent for combining fishing with other outdoor activity.
- Best for: Anglers after snapper or whiting; those who don’t mind deeper water; visitors wanting a picturesque spot with fish-and-chips or views when you’re not pulling lures.
What makes Portsea Pier stand out among top fishing locations is the access to deeper water close to shore. That lets you target species you’d usually need a boat to find. Also, the presence of weed beds and submerged structure near the pier helps attract baitfish, which in turn draws bigger predators like snapper. While fishing here requires some effort and skill, the rewards are well worth it – though please don’t tackle terrain above your comfort and expertise!
If the tide is right (two hours around the tide change are sweet spots), you’ll get better action. Plus the location adds atmospheric value: the views across Port Phillip Bay at dawn or dusk, the feel of fresh sea air, and the chance to pair a fishing session with a walk along the beach or a quiet sunset.
Blairgowrie Pier – Sheltered Bay with Flathead and Whiting
- Location: Blairgowrie Marina, Nepean Highway, Blairgowrie.
- Opening hours: Public access year-round; best fishing early morning or late afternoon.
- What you can catch: King George whiting, flathead, garfish, squid, and sometimes Australian salmon schooling through.
- Parking availability: Public car park near the marina; weekends in peak season can be busy.
- Useful facilities: Toilets, cafés nearby, sheltered spots around the marina; pier also used for diving and snorkelling.
- Best for: Families with kids, beginners, and anglers looking for a calm and sheltered environment.
Unlike the rugged surf beaches nearby, Blairgowrie Pier offers calm bay waters that make fishing easier and more accessible for all ages. The marina structure attracts smaller baitfish, which in turn bring in whiting and flathead – reliable species for a good feed. On calmer days, squid are a common catch, especially around the pylons.
Because it’s part of a marina, there’s plenty to keep non-fishers occupied too, from cafés to coastal walks, making it one of the more relaxed family-friendly fishing spots on the Mornington Peninsula. For travellers after something low-key but rewarding, Blairgowrie strikes the perfect balance.
Hastings Jetty – Easy Access to Western Port’s Rich Waters
- Location: Skinner Street, Hastings, on the Western Port side of the peninsula.
- Opening hours: Public access 24/7.
- What you can catch: Australian salmon, mullet, trevally, flathead, whiting, garfish; squid are also caught here in calmer conditions.
- Parking availability: Large car park adjacent to the jetty; generally good availability outside peak summer weekends.
- Useful facilities: Public toilets, picnic tables, playgrounds nearby; short walk to local cafés and shops.
- Best for: Families and casual anglers looking for a safe, easy-access pier with plenty of variety.
Hastings Jetty is one of the more reliable places on the Western Port side of the Mornington Peninsula, thanks to its tidal waters and variety of fish species. It’s popular with locals who want a quick and easy session after work, but also welcoming for families – there’s space for kids, and flathead or mullet are often willing takers.
For those wanting to try something different, squid fishing can be productive here too, especially in the evenings. The jetty’s proximity to the town centre makes it a relaxed option where fishing can be paired with a meal or coffee stop, adding convenience to your outdoor activities.
Some regulations and essentials of Victorian fishing scheme
Before you drop a line at any of these fishing spots in Mornington Peninsula, it’s important to know the rules that keep Victoria’s fisheries sustainable. Here are the essentials every angler should follow:
Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL):
Anyone fishing in Victoria’s marine, estuarine, and inland waters needs a valid licence, unless exempt (e.g. children under 18, seniors over 70, and certain concession card holders). You can buy short-term or annual licences online through the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
Bag and Size Limits: Each species has set legal minimum sizes and daily catch limits. For example:
- King George Whiting: Minimum size 27 cm, bag limit 20 per person.
- Flathead (excluding dusky): Minimum size 27 cm, bag limit 20 combined species.
- Snapper: Minimum size 28 cm, bag limit 10 (only 3 fish over 40 cm allowed).
- Squid (Calamari): No size limit, bag limit 10.
(Always check the most recent VFA size & bag limits, as these can change.)
More seasonal considerations
Some species are more active at certain times of year. For example, Australian salmon run strongest in winter, while squid peak in spring and autumn. Snapper are most reliable in Port Phillip Bay during late spring and early summer – making “fishing seasons” an important factor when planning.
Closed waters & protected areas
Some marine national parks and sanctuaries on the peninsula are “no-take” zones. Always look for signage or check maps on the Parks Victoria website before fishing.
Gear restrictions
Rod-and-line is the most common recreational method. There are restrictions on the number of lines and hooks you can use at once – typically 2 lines per person in marine waters.
Best practice
Handle undersized fish carefully and return them quickly. Use a landing net or wet hands to avoid scale damage. Respect bag limits even if fish are biting.
Pack your kit to Mornington Peninsula
After a day spent reeling in squid at Rye Pier or surf-casting salmon at Gunnamatta, there’s nothing better than having a comfortable base to return to. That’s where Go Coastal comes in. With a curated range of holiday homes and stays close to the best fishing spots in Mornington Peninsula, you can turn a casual day trip into a relaxed weekend or even a week-long getaway.
Staying locally means you can:
- Be on the piers at dawn when the squid are biting.
- Time your trips around fishing seasons without worrying about long drives home.
- Bring the whole family along – plenty of properties are family-friendly and close to beaches, cafés, and other outdoor activities.
- Enjoy flexibility: cook up your catch for dinner, or head out to nearby restaurants after a day by the water.
Whether you’re after a cosy couple’s retreat, a house big enough for mates on a fishing weekend, or somewhere that keeps kids happy between casts, contact Go Coastal to make you planning easy.