Words and images by Jay Dillon
Stand on the boardwalk at dawn and you’ll hear it before you see it: the Wimmera River breathing life through Horsham. Red gums lean over slow, tea-stained water; reed beds whisper; a kingfisher flashes downstream. The river rises in the Pyrenees ranges and turns north past town, settling into terminal lakes that pool and pause in the dry country. That pause is Horsham’s quiet advantage, giving year-round calm water for fishing, paddling and lingering by the bank.
A native-fish stronghold 
For anglers, the Wimmera around Horsham is generous. Golden perch and Murray cod hold deep in the snags. Redfin and silver perch are regulars. Freshwater catfish remain a local point of pride. Access is easy. Cast from the Weir and Riverside areas in town, or wander the walking tracks until you find a patch of shade and a fallen log.
The big one on Labour Day weekend
Each March long weekend the riverbanks fill with camp chairs, tackle boxes and quiet optimism. The Horsham Fishing Competition draws big crowds to the Wimmera. It feels as much like a community festival as a fishing contest, with a friendly buzz and plenty of encouragement for newcomers. If you want to feel how a river town moves to the water’s rhythm, stand on the bank at first light on competition morning and listen to the murmur travel along the reeds.
Surrounding lakes
The river is only the beginning. Within a short drive are still waters that round out a full weekend.
Lake Toolondo (46km from Horsham) rewards patience. When levels are right and weed beds are healthy, it turns into a fine trout fishery, with browns and rainbows cruising the edges in the breeze.
Taylors Lake sits about 20 kilometres out and offers golden perch and cod, with boat ramp access and stretches of open bank that suit families and campers. Bring a picnic, set the rods, and let the afternoon unspool.
Green Lake (15km out) and Lake Wartook (62km away) add calm corners for a paddle or a quiet cast between coffee runs back in town. Time a visit for golden hour and you’ll see why locals keep coming back.
If you like a plan, pick up a local fishing map and make a simple loop: river at dawn, lake by late morning, back to town for dinner, then a couple of evening casts under the red gums.
Paddle, pedal, wander
Not every day has to be about the strike. Launch a kayak or SUP from the gentle banks and drift under the gums. Ramble the wetlands boardwalks. Take the kids to Adventure Island. Roll a bike across to the pump track at Weir Park or join Horsham Parkrun on a Saturday. The river is Horsham’s front porch, and the invitation is to slow down.
Reading the water and timing the day
Fishing the Wimmera rewards thoughtfulness. On the main river, work the snags, bends and shaded banks, especially where current touches drowned timber. Early and late are prime. In bright hours, sink the presentation deeper and slow the retrieve. On the lakes, follow the wind lanes where food gathers. Toolondo’s trout often patrol the weed edges. Small spoons, minnow lures and soft plastics earn their keep. After summer rain or in warm spells, simple baits can out-fish everything else.
A note on the Wimmera’s story
The Wimmera is the largest Victorian river that does not reach the sea. In wetter years it pulses north to Lake Hindmarsh and, in big seasons, on to Lake Albacutya. In dry stretches it retreats to deep pools through town. That rhythm has shaped life here for a very long time, from First Peoples’ connections along Barringgi Gadyin to modern flow management. Understanding that cycle adds texture to any trip. You are fishing a living, seasonal river, not a canal.
Waterway tips
Licences and rules
Check current Victorian freshwater regulations, including any special protections for particular species. Local tackle shops are excellent for the latest updates and what’s biting.
Where to base
Riverside caravan parks, motels and holiday homes keep you close to dusk bites and dawn launches. Book early for the Labour Day long weekend if you plan to join the competition.
When to come
You can fish here year-round. Late summer through early autumn suits warm-water natives, and March brings the Horsham Fishing Competition if you want the full river-town buzz.
