Fishing Bemm River

Shallow Sydenham Inlet forms the lower Bemm River, part of a prime estuary perch, bream and bass fishery.

The river sits at the boundaries of Cape Conran Coastal Park, Croajingolong NP and Bemm State Forest.

The Bemm is 60km long, with the upper section running through rainforest, much of it in rugged country, before reaching Sydenham Inlet, a tidal estuary.

The inlet’s sea entrance opens only occasionally.

When the inlet is closed the water tends to be slightly deeper.

The inlet is known for quality bream and flathead, as well as estuary perch, tailor, whiting, mullet and luderick.

Salmon are caught in the entrance channel when it opens, with a chance of mulloway.

The river is deeper than the inlet.

There is some bankside access, but most of the many fishable snags can only be exploited by boaters.

The flats in the inlet have useful bait-pumping areas.

The upper Bemm is isolated and difficult to access.

Bass exist in the upper reaches, and in the Genoa River.

Bream and estuary perch are also found in Swan and Mud Lakes on the east side of the inlet.

Surf beaches can be accessed by taking a boat to near the lagoon entrance and walking.

To the west there is a 4WD track leading to beach fishing at Pearl Point, with salmon and sharks, and snorkelling for abalone and crays.

To reach Bemm River township, take the turn-off on the Princes Highway between Cann River and Orbost.

There are two boat ramps in the inlet.

Bankside access for fishing is limited.

Bemm River township has Telstra mobile coverage, a bottle shop, general store, boat hire, fishing platforms, and some sports facilities. There was no fuel outlet at the time of writing.

Here is a list of recommended tackle for Victorian waters.