Species
Murray Cod
Maccullochella peelii
Tier 1Eating7/10medium tackleEPBC: VulnerableVulnerableNSWVICQLDSAACT
63 waypoints50–90 cm (max 180 cm) typical
Regulations
NSW55 cm min · bag 1VIC55 cm min · bag 1QLD60 cm min · bag 2SA60 cm min · bag 1
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 55 cm min | 1 |
Closed: 1 Sep - 30 Nov (closed season), max 75cm slot | ||
| VIC | 55 cm min | 1 |
Closed: 1 Sep - 30 Nov; max 75cm slot | ||
| QLD | 60 cm min | 2 |
Closed: 1 Aug - 30 Nov | ||
| SA | 60 cm min | 1 |
Closed: 1 Aug - 31 Dec | ||
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about murray cod
Australia's largest freshwater fish — apex predator of the Murray-Darling system. Targeted with big surface lures, swimbaits, spinnerbaits and bait around timber and rocky structure. Strict closed season (typically Sep-Nov), size and bag limits in every state — verify locally.
Biology: Murray Cod size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Freshwater, Impoundment, River
- Typical size
- 50–90 cm (max 180 cm)
- Weight
- 3–20 kg (max 113 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- fish, yabbies, ducklings, water rats, frogs
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Murray-Darling Basin endemic
How to target: Murray Cod angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- large surface walkers and Jackalls cast at dusk along snag lines
- spinnerbaits worked tight to timber and rock walls
- trolling oversized hardbodies along river channels and dam edges
- live yabbies or bardi grubs on a paternoster in deep holes
- swimbait gliders on heavy gear for trophy fish
Best season: when to catch murray cod in Australia
- NSW
- Dec-Aug (outside closed season)
- VIC
- Dec-Aug
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Conservation
EPBC: VulnerableIUCN: Vulnerable
EPBC Vulnerable. Iconic AU sport fish under tight management — slot limits and closed season protect breeders.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught murray cod
No murray cod catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: murray cod fishing spots in Australia
South Australia22
- Berri RiverfrontRiver Mouth · SA-34.28°
- Bowhill ReachRiver Mouth · SA-34.92°
- Caurnamont ReachRiver Mouth · SA-34.82°
- Chambers Creek RenmarkRiver · SA-34.17°
- Katarapko CreekRiver · SA-34.34°
- Lake Albert (Meningie)Dam · SA-35.69°
- 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°
New South Wales20
- Blowering DamDam · NSW-35.40°
- 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 St ClairDam · NSW-32.11°
- Lake WyanganDam · NSW-34.22°
- 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°
Victoria16
- 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 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: murray cod references & sources
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