Killarney Beach

Killarney Beach sits on the coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, and it is the quiet one of Port Fairy's beaches: whiting and squid over the reef-edged sand, salmon in the gutters, and the odd snapper or mulloway as a bonus. On a still morning the hardest decision is whether to chase whiting or squid first. Port Fairy gets the crowds; Killarney gets the people who drove past them on purpose.

Killarney's sand is edged with reef, so look for the sandy gaps and gutters running between the reef bars — they show as a colour change — and fish those rather than the reef itself. For whiting, use a light paternoster or running rig with small hooks and pipi, squid or sandworm. Work squid jigs slowly over weed and reef edges early and late. For salmon, cast metal lures or pilchards into the gutters on a rising tide.

Whiting and squid are the main local targets, with salmon in the gutters and the occasional snapper or mulloway. Victorian limits: King George whiting 27 cm and 20, squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish a combined bag of 10, Australian salmon 21 cm with 20 combined with Australian herring, snapper 28 cm and 10 (no more than 3 of 40 cm or over). Mulloway are 60 cm with a bag of 5 for now, but VFA has proposed a larger size and smaller bag, so check before keeping one. Whiting and snapper must be kept whole until you are away from the water.

Merri Marine Sanctuary at Warrnambool is about 14 km east and no-take; Killarney itself is well outside it. Rock lobster has closed seasons and can only be taken by hand or with up to two hoop nets (hoop nets also have their own closed season on this coast). You must register in the GoFishVic RL app before you fish, and tag and tail-clip any lobster you keep — check the VFA guide first. Fish the lower half of the tide around reef edges for squid and whiting.

Killarney is signposted off the Princes Highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, with parking near the beach. The walk onto the sand is short. Facilities in the area are limited, so bring what you need. Port Fairy and Warrnambool have tackle and supplies.

Offshore reefs take some of the sting out of the swell, but a big south-westerly still makes the beach rough. Light northerly winds are the pick. A rising tide into dawn or dusk is the best window for salmon, and calm, clear water suits squid. After storms the water is weedy and dirty for a day or two.

This is an open coast beach with rips and reef — do not wade out over the reef or into channels. Swell can surge across rocks without warning; wear a lifejacket if you fish from any rock. Watch for slippery weed on reef edges. Supervise children near the water.

Whiting and squid over the reef-edged sand, salmon in the gutters, and the odd snapper or mulloway.

No. The nearest no-take area is Merri Marine Sanctuary at Warrnambool, about 14 km east.

A rising tide around dawn or dusk, with light northerly winds, suits most species.