Mallacoota Inlet forms the mouth of the Genoa River and Wallagaraugh Rivers.
Access is via a 23km road off the Princes Highway from Genoa.
The inlet consists of top and bottom lakes, connected by a channel called The Narrows.
The sea entrance is open only intermittently and is dangerous for boaters when it is open.
There is a large sandspit at the sea entrance.
The inlet’s bottom lake has two artificial reef systems (see above).
Each artificial reef system is made of groups of 15 concrete reef modules of different sizes.
The modules have cavities to allow water flow and to provide fish refuges.
Mallacoota produces a range of fish but is perhaps known for its trophy dusky flathead.
The inlet also has yellowfin and black bream, luderick, school and king george whiting and tailor, with estuary perch and bass in the rivers.
Deeper areas of the inlet produce mulloway, small snapper and silver trevally.
Deep areas worth exploring in a boat include Howe Bight, Baker Bight and The Narrows.
Landbased fishos should try Captains Point and Mallacoota Wharf, Slipway Jetty and the Cow Paddock.
The bottom lake is mostly fairly deep, with shallow areas at Goodwin Sands, Robertsons Bank, and around Goat and Horse Islands near the sea entrance.
The main channel is marked by pylons.
For bait, the flats have sandworms and yabbies, with shrimp in weedy areas.
The top lake is shallow but has big flathead and bream, with the chance of estuary perch, luderick and even mulloway.
Cape Horn has the deepest water, at about 12m.
The Genoa River is shallow. It has sandbanks with sandworms. The upstream area has winter bream, luderick, flathead and perch.
Wallagauraugh River is shallow but navigable for several kilometres.
It produces mainly bream and flathead.
Landbased fishos should try the Gypsy Point Wharf.
Surf fishos should try Entrance Beach, which drops into deep water, and Tip Beach (golf club turn-off).
Here is a list of recommended tackle for Victorian waters.
Mallacoota weather and tides
Mallacoota coastline on Beachsafe
VIC fishing regulations
VIC marine parks
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