Murray Cod season opens December 1

The annual Murray cod season opens for anglers in NSW waters on Tuesday 1 December following a three-month closure for breeding.

Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Inland Fisheries Manager Cameron Westaway said freshwater fishers are looking forward to fishing for the popular native species.

"Murray cod are a prized catch of freshwater anglers, and they are one of Australia’s largest freshwater fish. It grows up to 1.8 m and can weigh more than 100 kg," Mr Westaway said.

"Every year a three-month ban on fishing from September to November protects this native species during its breeding season.

“Since the closure was first introduced more than a decade ago there have been numerous reports of significant increases in Murray cod numbers, which are found mainly in the Murray Darling River system.”

Murray cod are also stocked into inland rivers and dams as part of the NSW Government’s fish stocking program.

Last year 103,000 Murray cod, bred at I&I NSW hatchery at Narrandera, were released under the program. A further 244,000 Murray cod were stocked through the dollar-for-dollar scheme funded by the NSW recreational fishing licence and community groups.

I&I NSW Fisheries Compliance Manager Glenn Tritton said fishers must also be aware of the size and bag limits for Murray cod.

“All fishers should be aware that the minimum legal length of Murray cod is 60 centimetres with a daily bag limit of two, and a possession limit of four with only one over 100 centimetres in length,” he said.

“Live fin fish including carp as well as birds and mammals cannot be used as bait.

“Anglers should also not confuse the Murray cod with the trout cod, which is fully protected in NSW. Anglers must release any trout cod they catch.

“Trout cod are similar to Murray cod in appearance, but you can identify trout cod as they have a stripe through the eye, an overhanging upper jaw, and have spotted markings, not marbled.

“Fisheries officers regularly patrol inland waterways to ensure fishers are following fishing rules for Murray cod.

“All anglers who fish in, or possess fishing gear in on or adjacent to NSW waters must hold and carry a current NSW fishing licence unless exempt.”

Further reading

Murray cod Maccullochella peelii

Freshwater fishing guide 2009

Recreational fishing rules and regulations