Species
Golden Perch
Macquaria ambigua
Tier 2Eating7/10light tackleNSWVICQLDSAACT
85 waypoints30–50 cm (max 76 cm) typical
Regulations
NSW30 cm min · bag 5VIC30 cm min · bag 5QLD30 cm min · bag 5
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 30 cm min | 5 |
| VIC | 30 cm min | 5 |
| QLD | 30 cm min | 5 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about golden perch
Native Murray-Darling sportfish (also called yellowbelly) found in inland rivers and impoundments across NSW, VIC, QLD and SA. Targeted with lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, soft plastics and bait around timber and rocky structure. Best from spring to autumn when water warms.
Biology: Golden Perch size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Freshwater, Impoundment, River
- Typical size
- 30–50 cm (max 76 cm)
- Weight
- 1–3 kg (max 8 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–20 m
- Diet
- shrimp, yabbies, small fish, insects
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Murray-Darling Basin
How to target: Golden Perch angling strategies
Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- spinnerbaits and chatterbaits worked along impoundment timber and points
- deep-diving cranks trolled along river snags and rock walls
- live shrimp or yabby on a paternoster rig in deep river holes
- ice jigs and blades vertically jigged over schooled fish in winter dams
Best season: when to catch golden perch in Australia
- NSW
- Oct-Apr (Murray-Darling)
- VIC
- Oct-May
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Stocked in many impoundments — wild Murray-Darling stocks reliant on environmental flows.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught golden perch
No golden perch catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: golden perch fishing spots in Australia
New South Wales25
- Ben Chifley DamDam · NSW-33.55°
- Blowering DamDam · NSW-35.40°
- Brogo DamDam · NSW-36.49°
- Burrinjuck DamDam · NSW-35.00°
- Carcoar DamDam · NSW-33.62°
- Copeton DamDam · NSW-29.94°
- Edward River at DeniliquinRiver Mouth · NSW-35.53°
- Goodradigbee RiverRiver · NSW-35.35°
- Keepit DamDam · NSW-30.88°
- Lachlan River at ForbesRiver Mouth · NSW-33.38°
- Lake BurrendongDam · NSW-32.72°
- Lake CargelligoDam · NSW-33.30°
- Lake GlenbawnDam · NSW-32.08°
- Lake St ClairDam · NSW-32.11°
- Lake WallaceDam · NSW-33.42°
- Lake WyanganDam · NSW-34.22°
- Lostock DamDam · NSW-32.33°
- Macquarie River - DubboRiver · NSW-32.24°
- Macquarie River at WellingtonRiver Mouth · NSW-32.55°
- Murray River at AlburyRiver Mouth · NSW-36.08°
- Pindari DamDam · NSW-29.39°
- Split Rock DamDam · NSW-30.37°
- Toonumbar DamDam · NSW-28.65°
- Windamere DamDam · NSW-32.73°
- Wyangala DamDam · NSW-33.97°
South Australia25
- Berri RiverfrontRiver Mouth · SA-34.28°
- Bowhill ReachRiver Mouth · SA-34.92°
- Caurnamont ReachRiver Mouth · SA-34.82°
- Chambers Creek RenmarkRiver · SA-34.17°
- Clayton BayShoreline · SA-35.49°
- Cobdogla Boat RampBoat Ramp · SA-34.21°
- Finniss River MouthRiver Mouth · SA-35.40°
- Hindmarsh Island ChannelsEstuary · SA-35.54°
- Katarapko CreekRiver · SA-34.34°
- Lake Alexandrina (Pelican Point)Dam · SA-35.35°
- Lake Bonney (Riverland)Dam · SA-34.34°
- Lock 1 BlanchetownRiver Mouth · SA-34.35°
- Lock 2 WaikerieRiver Mouth · SA-34.18°
- Lock 3 Overland CornerRiver Mouth · SA-34.16°
- Lock 4 BookpurnongRiver Mouth · SA-34.35°
- Lock 5 RenmarkRiver Mouth · SA-34.09°
- Lock 6 MurthoRiver Mouth · SA-34.00°
- Lyrup FlatsRiver Mouth · SA-34.24°
- MannumRiver · SA-34.91°
- Murray BridgeRiver · SA-35.12°
- Mypolonga River FrontageRiver Mouth · SA-35.07°
- Paringa BridgeWharf · SA-34.18°
- Renmark RiverfrontRiver Mouth · SA-34.17°
- Walker Flat Ferry CrossingRiver Mouth · SA-34.74°
- Wellington (Lower Murray)River · SA-35.33°
Queensland18
- Bjelke-Petersen DamDam · QLD-26.23°
- Boondooma DamDam · QLD-26.05°
- Cania DamDam · QLD-24.69°
- Connolly DamDam · QLD-28.23°
- Coolmunda DamDam · QLD-28.49°
- Glenlyon DamDam · QLD-28.98°
- Lake BorumbaDam · QLD-26.52°
- Lake ClarendonDam · QLD-27.54°
- Lake CressbrookDam · QLD-27.25°
- Lake Dyer (Bill Gunn Dam)Dam · QLD-27.64°
- Lake MaraboonDam · QLD-23.55°
- Leslie DamDam · QLD-28.22°
- Maroon DamDam · QLD-28.18°
- North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale)Dam · QLD-27.27°
- Storm King DamDam · QLD-28.67°
- Wivenhoe DamDam · QLD-27.38°
- Wivenhoe Spillway DownstreamRiver · QLD-27.39°
- Wuruma DamDam · QLD-25.17°
Victoria17
- Broken RiverRiver Mouth · VIC-36.55°
- Cairn Curran ReservoirDam · VIC-37.05°
- Campaspe River - RochesterRiver Mouth · VIC-36.37°
- Goulburn River - MurchisonRiver Mouth · VIC-36.62°
- Goulburn River - SeymourRiver Mouth · VIC-37.02°
- Goulburn River SheppartonRiver · VIC-36.38°
- Goulburn WeirDam · VIC-36.72°
- Lake BurrumbeetLagoon · VIC-37.50°
- Lake EildonDam · VIC-37.23°
- Lake EppalockDam · VIC-36.87°
- Lake Hume - Mitta ArmDam · VIC-36.11°
- Lake MulwalaDam · VIC-36.01°
- Mildura Lock 11River · VIC-34.18°
- Mitta Mitta Below DartmouthRiver · VIC-36.70°
- Murray River - EchucaRiver · VIC-36.13°
- Murray River Swan HillRiver · VIC-35.34°
- Ovens River WangarattaRiver · VIC-36.36°
More information: golden perch references & sources
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