Lee Breakwater (Portland)

The Lee Breakwater forms the northern boundary of Portland Harbour, running east-west for 1,179 m to water 12.2 m deep at its tip, and it is the town's main land-based platform into deep water. The breakwater is open to the public whenever it is safe to be on it. Portland calls itself Tuna Town, but from the wall the targets are salmon, snapper, King George whiting, squid, trevally and barracouta, with kingfish from summer into autumn. The catch: the SL Patterson Berth on the breakwater is a working berth, so access past the tide station gate closes when ships are using it.

Fish the harbour side for whiting, squid and trevally on light bait rigs and jigs; cast slugs and pilchards toward the tip and the open water for salmon, barracouta and snapper. Squid jigs worked along weed and rock edges catch calamari. Berley helps hold fish in front of you on a wall this long. Portland is not shy about wind, and on a breezy day the harbour side of the wall is where the sensible money goes.

Salmon, trevally, squid and whiting are the regulars, with snapper and barracouta for the persistent and kingfish from summer into autumn. Victorian limits: salmon 21 cm (20 combined with Australian herring), snapper 28 cm and 10 (no more than 3 of 40 cm or over), King George whiting 27 cm and 20, silver trevally 20 cm and 20, barracouta no minimum and 20, yellowtail kingfish 60 cm and 2, flathead 27 cm and 20, squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish no minimum with a combined bag of 10. Rays cannot be taken within 400 m of the breakwater.

Check the shipping schedule or call the port on (03) 5525 2450 before you go — gates past the tide station close during berth activity and reopen when it is safe. The rest of the port's commercial berths are not open to the public. Snapper and whiting must be kept whole until you are off the wall.

The breakwater is reached via Lee Breakwater Road on the north side of the harbour, past the marina and boat ramp area. Walking distance along the wall is long — 1.2 km to the tip — and the surface is a service road on top of rock, so it is accessible for most people as far as the gates. Facilities are at the marina and in town.

The harbour sits inside Portland Bay behind its breakwaters, which makes the wall fishable on many days when the open coast is not. Strong winds from the east and south-east are the ones that rough up the bay side. Light winds and a calm morning are the pick for squid and whiting on the harbour side.

Rock armour on the sides of the wall is steep and slippery. Ships and tugs use the berth — obey gates and port staff. Access may be restricted in adverse weather. Wear a lifejacket whenever you fish a wall or rocks that the sea can reach — a properly fitted AS 4758 lifejacket, Level 50S or greater.

Yes. The breakwater is open to the public when it is safe, but access past the tide station gate closes intermittently when the SL Patterson Berth is in use.

Check the Port of Portland shipping schedule or phone the port on (03) 5525 2450.

On a calm day as far as the gates — the top is a flat service road — but the rock armour on the sides is steep and slippery, so keep children well back from the edges.

Salmon, snapper, King George whiting, squid, silver trevally, barracouta and flathead, with kingfish from summer into autumn.