Port Phillip Bay
- Saltwater
- Estuary
Port Phillip Bay
- Saltwater
- Estuary
- Sq. miles
- 758
- Boat Ramps
- 8
- Access Points
- 5
- Species
- 23
Port Phillip Bay is a world-class saltwater fishing destination spanning 2,000 square kilometers, making it the largest bay in Victoria. This vast, sheltered embayment is bordered by Melbourne and its suburbs, the Bellarine Peninsula, and the Mornington Peninsula. The bay's bottom is predominantly flat and sandy, with shallow areas averaging around 8 meters in depth and deeper sections reaching a maximum depth of 24 meters. Its formation as a drowned river valley creates a rich and diverse marine ecosystem, supporting a wide array of fish species and offering year-round fishing opportunities for anglers using boats, kayaks, and from shore.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Port Phillip Bay and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Port Phillip Bay. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Port Phillip Bay
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Victoria licenses and regulations
Victoria Boating Regulations
Official Safe Transport Victoria recreational boating page covering marine licence requirements, lifejacket and safety-equipment rules, speed and distance limits, and navigation rules.
Victoria Fishing License
Official Victorian Fisheries Authority page for buying a Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL), which covers all marine, estuarine and inland fishing. Required for most adult anglers unless exempt; short-term and multi-year options are available.
Victoria Fishing Regulations
Official VFA page listing size and bag limits and closed seasons for freshwater, marine and estuarine species, part of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide. A default bag limit applies to species not specifically listed.
Victoria Stream Access Laws
Victoria has no single dedicated stream-access page; this is the closest official angler-facing page - the VFA's guide to angler access along Crown land water frontages, explaining that the public may legally access licensed and unreserved Crown frontage.
Take Port Phillip Bay with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Port Phillip Bay to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Port Phillip Bay to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)
On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Port Phillip Bay and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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