Dutton Way Beach (Portland Bay)

Dutton Way follows the shore of Portland Bay north of Portland town, with a long strip of beach between the road and the water. This shore of Portland Bay faces east-south-east, so it is sheltered from the Southern Ocean swell that hammers Bridgewater, which makes it a calm-water alternative close to town. The sand edges hold King George whiting and flathead, the weed patches hold squid, and salmon cruise the shallows when bait moves along the shore. It is also handy when the Lee Breakwater gate is closed for shipping and you would rather not argue with a bulk carrier.

Pick a stretch where clean sand runs between the weed patches and fish light rigs on the edges for whiting and flathead, with pipi, squid strip or prawn on small hooks and a little berley to hold the whiting. Work squid jigs over the weed early and late, when the bay is flattest. When salmon push along the shore, a small metal cast and wound quickly finds them. After a storm, walk on until the water isn't full of loose weed.

Whiting, flathead, squid and salmon are the realistic targets. Victorian limits: King George whiting 27 cm and 20, flathead 27 cm and 20 combined, squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish a combined bag of 10, Australian salmon 21 cm with 20 combined with Australian herring. Whiting must be kept whole until you are away from the water. Rays cannot be taken within 400 m of any jetty or breakwater.

This is a roadside beach, so park safely off Dutton Way and cross carefully — and never park inside any traffic-management section on the road. Calm mornings are best for squid and whiting. The Port of Portland's commercial wharves are not open to the public, and the Lee Breakwater closes past the tide-station gate when the SL Patterson Berth is in use — Dutton Way is a good fallback.

Dutton Way runs north-east from Portland along the bay, with informal roadside parking and short walks onto the beach. Facilities are back in Portland. The beach is flat and easy, suiting a family session on a calm day. Bring everything you need. It is the rare fishing spot where you can see the car from your rod, which keeps the esky run short.

This shore faces east-south-east, so it is sheltered from south-westerly swell. A strong easterly or south-easterly blows onshore and stirs it up. Calm, clear mornings suit squid and whiting. After storms, weed can pile up along the shore. The weed smells about as good as you would expect, and the whiting do not seem to mind.

Traffic on Dutton Way — park well off the road and watch children near it. Rock walls along parts of the shore are slippery; wear non-slip shoes and a lifejacket if you fish from rock. Weed and soft sand can make footing tricky. Supervise children near the water.

Yes. The beach along Dutton Way is a sheltered Portland Bay shore that is open to fishing.

Whiting and flathead on the sand edges, squid over the weed and salmon when bait moves along the shore.

The Lee Breakwater is the main land-based spot, but it closes past the tide-station gate when the SL Patterson Berth is in use.