St Leonards Pier
Summary for 11 Oct 2026
Bite Compass is showing a medium fish activity bite score on 11 Oct 2026. Wind is around N at 17 km/h. Solunar feeding windows are listed below.
Feeding Windows
Local Knowledge
St Leonards Pier is due to be rebuilt, and until the works start it is one of the Bellarine's best calamari and whiting spots — there is plenty of seagrass within easy reach on the inside, with calamari, King George whiting, salmon, pinkie snapper and flathead, with trevally and leatherjackets down among the pylons. It is popular for snorkelling and diving, and its several branches give room to spread out. Fish it while it's open — the new one will be lovely, but it will be a building site first.
Cast squid jigs and whiting baits onto the seagrass on the inside of the pier. Drop small baits beside the pylons for trevally and leatherjackets. Pinkies and flathead come to squid strip or soft plastics cast wider. Fish around the tide change; the current is strong in this part of the bay.
Calamari and King George whiting are the headliners, with salmon, pinkies, flathead, trevally and leatherjackets. Squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish: combined bag 10. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Snapper 28 cm and 10, no more than 3 of 40 cm or over. Flathead 27 cm and 20. Silver trevally 20 cm and 20. Leatherjackets no minimum and 20.
Snorkellers and divers use the pier — look before you cast and keep jigs away from anyone in the water. A rebuild is planned — check Parks Victoria's changed-conditions page before you go. Port Phillip Bay (including Corio Bay) berley is capped at 10 litres, and in its intertidal zone you may only take marine worms, bass yabbies, squid, octopus and cuttlefish.
Access & Conditions
The pier is on the St Leonards foreshore, with Harvey Park to the south offering barbecues and a playground overlooking the beach. The deck is flat. Vehicle access is for management vehicles only. Dogs on lead.
Faces east across the bay towards the Mornington Peninsula. Easterly and north-easterly winds put chop onto it, westerlies are offshore and calm. Strong tidal flow mid-tide. The change and low light fish best. On a clear evening you can watch the Peninsula's lights come on across the water and feel quietly smug about your shorter drive home.
Watch for shallow areas, unexpected submerged objects, deep water, strong currents and slippery rocks and surfaces. Snorkellers and divers may be in the water around the pier. Wear a lifejacket if you fish the lower landings or ladders — adults AS 4758 level 50S or greater, level 100 or greater for children.
Gear & Rigs
A 7–8 ft 2–4 kg rod, 2500 reel, 8–10 lb braid. Squid jigs 2.5–3.0. A paternoster with size 6–4 long-shanks and pipi or squid for whiting. Size 8–6 hooks for leatherjackets. 1/0–3/0 hooks or 3 inch plastics for pinkies and flathead.
Seasons
Calamari through the cooler months and spring. Whiting are best from November to April. Pinkies and flathead are best through the warmer months. Salmon from autumn. Squid season means cold hands and ink-stained cuffs; on a good night the bucket justifies both.
If This Spot's Blown Out
Frequently Asked
It is open until its planned rebuild starts. The new pier goes in alongside the old one, which comes down during the works, so expect closures. Check Parks Victoria's changed-conditions page before you go.
Calamari, King George whiting, salmon, pinkie snapper and flathead, plus trevally and leatherjackets down among the pylons.
Yes — it is a fantastic spot for calamari, with plenty of seagrass in easy reach on the inside of the pier. The bag is 10 squid, calamari, octopus and cuttlefish combined.