Murray cod season opens on December 1

Freshwater anglers will be able to fish for Murray cod again from December 1 after the three-month closure," said NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director Compliance Operations, Paul O'Connor.

"Murray cod are a prized catch of freshwater anglers and are found mainly in the Murray Darling river system," Mr O'Connor said. "Every year a three-month ban on fishing - from September to November - protects this native species during its breeding season.

"Murray cod is one of Australia's largest freshwater fish. It grows up to 1.8m and can weigh more than 100kg.

Mr O'Connor said it was important for freshwater anglers to know NSW fishing rules in relation to Murray cod. There is a daily bag limit of two per person per day from either rivers or dams. The minimum legal length of Murray cod is 50cm, but anglers can keep only one fish more than 100cm in length.

"Live finfish including carp, and birds and mammals cannot be used as bait," Mr O'Connor said.

"A similar species, the endangered trout cod, is fully protected and anglers must release any trout cod they catch."

Mr O'Connor said NSW DPI Fisheries officers regularly patrol inland waterways to ensure anglers are following fishing rules for Murray cod.

"Murray cod are stocked into inland rivers and dams as part of the NSW Government's fish stocking program. Last year a 369,000 Murray cod fry and fingerlings, bred at NSW DPI Narrandera hatchery, were released under the program, and another 224,000 were stocked through the Dollar-for-Dollar scheme funded by the NSW recreational fishing licence and community groups.

Detailed information on freshwater fishing rules can be found on the NSW DPI website, and in the NSW DPI freshwater fishing guide and summary. These are available from NSW DPI Fisheries offices and most places where NSW recreational fishing licences are sold.

DIGITAL IMAGE OF MURRAY COD AVAILABLE

Media contact: Kristina Resanceff - 8289 3926 or 0419 185 375