BEMM RIVER
Bemm River is East Gippsland's best-kept secret. Smaller and more intimate than the Gippsland Lakes system, it delivers consistently high numbers of aggressive black bream in a setting that feels genuinely remote. Timber-lined river banks, open estuary flats and ocean entrance structure all fish differently — and all produce. For anglers who want to escape the crowds and fish water that receives a fraction of the pressure of better-known systems, Bemm River is hard to beat.
WHY FISH WITH A PROFESSIONAL GUIDE
Bemm's compact size is deceptive — and fish locations do shift with the conditions. Some of the most productive water isn't obvious to first-time visitors so local knowledge here can pay dividends. Understanding which sections of the system are holding fish, and which lures are working effectively, can be the difference between a good session and a great one.
TARGET SPECIES
Black Bream · Yellowfin Bream · Dusky Flathead · Salmon · Estuary Perch · Tailor · Trevally · Luderick
BEST SEASONS
Summer (Dec-Feb)
Peak topwater fishing, aggressive bream feeding, flathead active on flats
Autumn (Mar-May)
Excellent all-round fishing, big perch become active
Spring (Sep-Nov)
Peak topwater fishing, aggressive bream feeding, flathead active on flats
Winter (Jun-Aug)
Slower but quality bream remain catchable throughout
KEY LURE TECHNIQUES
Topwater baits over open flats for bream. Crankbaits along snaggy edges. Soft plastics drifted over sandy bottoms for flathead. Suspending hardbodies twitched tight to structure for estuary perch.
THE CHARTER EXPERIENCE
Bemm River rewards patience and precise casts. It's a technically satisfying fishery — particularly for anglers looking to improve their lure fishing skills. Tuition sessions work especially well here.
