Murray Cod season opens 1 December

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

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Manager Fisheries Compliance Glenn Tritton said since the closure was first introduced more than 10 years ago there have been numerous reports of significant increases in Murray cod numbers.

Murray cod are the State’s premier inland species growing to 1.8 metres and more than 100 kilograms. They are found mainly in the Murray Darling River system.

For recreational anglers,the minimum legal length of Murray cod is 50 centimetres with a daily bag limit of two, and a possession limit of four with only one over 100 centimetres in length.

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

Mr Tritton said anglers should 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,” he said.

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

Last year a record 543 000 Murray cod, bred at NSW DPI hatchery at Narrandera, were released under the program. A further 250 000 Murray cod were stocked through the dollar-for-dollar scheme funded by the NSW recreational fishing licence and community groups.

Mr Tritton said NSW DPI fisheries officers regularly patrolled inland waterways to ensure that anglers were following the fishing rules. These officers also provide a wealth of information on fishing in general.

All anglers who fish in, or possess fishing gear in on or adjacent to, the Murray River or any other NSW waters must possess a NSW fishing licence unless exempt.

A review of NSW freshwater fishing rules is currently being undertaken. Anglers are advised that changes to some rules may be applied in the future.

Detailed information on freshwater fishing rules can be found on our website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 550 474.

The 2005/06 freshwater fishing guide has recently been released and is available from most bait and tackle shops, recreational fishing licence agents and DPI fisheries offices. Copies can also be viewed online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Media contact: Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.

Image of Murray Cod available.