Murray cod season opens on December 1

Freshwater anglers are reminded that the size limit for a Murray cod will increase from 55cm to 60cm when the annual Murray Cod season starts on Monday 1 December, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today. 

"This is the second of two increases to the size limit of this species announced in August last year, and will provide better protection for immature fish and enhance their breeding opportunities," Minister Macdonald said.

"Murray cod are a prized catch of freshwater anglers. Every year a three-month closure on fishing for Murray cod, from September to the end of November, protects this native species during its breeding season."

Mr Macdonald said in recent years there had been some concern regarding the impact of the drought on native fish stocks. However, native fish such as Murray cod have evolved to handle dry conditions over millions of years, and have an uncanny knack of knowing when to move to remnant pools or larger weir pools.

"Fishers have actually reported consistently improving Murray cod seasons during the past and the increase in the size limit will ensure the fishery continues to improve," he said.

There is a daily bag limit of two Murray cod per person a day and a total possession limit of four from either rivers or dams. The minimum legal length of Murray cod is 60cm, but anglers can keep only one fish of more than 100cm in length.

Live finfish including carp, and birds and mammals cannot be used as bait. A similar species, the endangered trout cod, is fully protected and anglers must release any trout cod they catch.

Murray cod is one of Australia’s largest freshwater fish. It grows up to 1.8 metres and can weigh more than 100 kilograms. Murray cod are released in inland rivers and dams through the State Government’s fish stocking program and the community’s Dollar-for-Dollar program, funded through fishing licence fees and community groups.

"Last year a record number of 781,190 Murray cod fry and fingerlings, bred at NSW DPI Narrandera hatchery, were released under the program, and another 234,726 were stocked through the Dollar-for-Dollar schemes," Mr Macdonald said.
      
Detailed information on freshwater fishing rules can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and in the NSW DPI freshwater fishing guide. These are available from NSW DPI Fisheries offices and most places where NSW recreational fishing licenses are sold.

Image of Murray cod available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au

Further reading

Freshwater fishing

Murray cod - industry profile

Freshwater Fishing Guide 2008