Species
Australian Bass
Macquaria novemaculeata
Tier 2Eating6/10light tackleNSWVICQLD
31 waypoints25–40 cm (max 65 cm) typical
Regulations
NSW25 cm min · bag 2VIC27 cm min · bag 2QLD30 cm min · bag 2
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 25 cm min | 2 |
Closed: 1 May - 31 Aug (rivers only, downstream of impoundments) | ||
| VIC | 27 cm min | 2 |
| QLD | 30 cm min | 2 |
Closed: 1 Jun - 31 Aug | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about australian bass
Iconic east-coast native, found in coastal rivers and impoundments from southern QLD to VIC. Aggressive on surface lures at dawn and dusk in warmer months, retreating to deeper structure in winter. Strict closed seasons protect spawning runs to estuaries — check state rules.
Biology: Australian Bass size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Estuary, Freshwater, Impoundment, River
- Typical size
- 25–40 cm (max 65 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–1.5 kg (max 4 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–15 m
- Diet
- insects, shrimp, small fish, frogs, cicadas
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Endemic to east coast Australia
How to target: Australian Bass angling strategies
Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- surface walkers and cup-faced poppers at dawn/dusk along weedy banks
- spinnerbaits and chatterbaits around timber in impoundments
- deep-diving cranks and ice jigs on schooled fish in summer dams
- live shrimp under a small float in tidal rivers
Best season: when to catch australian bass in Australia
- NSW
- Oct-Apr (rivers); year-round (impoundments)
- QLD
- Sep-May (rivers); year-round (dams)
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Closed season protects spawning migration to estuary.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught australian bass
No australian bass catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: australian bass fishing spots in Australia
Queensland17
- Bjelke-Petersen DamDam · QLD-26.23°
- Boondooma DamDam · QLD-26.05°
- Cania DamDam · QLD-24.69°
- Cressbrook Creek TailwaterRiver · QLD-27.27°
- Hinze DamDam · QLD-28.06°
- Lake BorumbaDam · QLD-26.52°
- Lake ClarendonDam · QLD-27.54°
- Lake CressbrookDam · QLD-27.25°
- Lake Dyer (Bill Gunn Dam)Dam · QLD-27.64°
- Maroon DamDam · QLD-28.18°
- Mary River at TiaroRiver Mouth · QLD-25.74°
- Mary River — Gympie WeirRiver · QLD-26.18°
- North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale)Dam · QLD-27.27°
- Tinana CreekRiver · QLD-25.65°
- Wivenhoe DamDam · QLD-27.38°
- Wivenhoe Spillway DownstreamRiver · QLD-27.39°
- Wuruma DamDam · QLD-25.17°
New South Wales9
Victoria4
South Australia1
More information: australian bass references & sources
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