Species
Sleepy Cod
Oxyeleotris lineolata
Tier 4Eating8/10light tackleQLDNT
1 waypoint~20–35 cm typical
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Where to catch
Range & spots
No catches reported in the last 14 days.
Overview: about sleepy cod
Tropical freshwater gudgeon of northern QLD and NT rivers, billabongs and impoundments. Targeted with live shrimp, small soft plastics and bait fished slow on the bottom. Slow, deliberate takes — a quiet ambush predator and excellent table fish.
Biology: Sleepy Cod size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Estuary, Freshwater, River
- Typical size
- 20–35 cm (max 50 cm)
- Weight
- 0.3–1 kg (max 3 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–8 m
- Diet
- shrimp, small fish, insects
- Most active
- nocturnal
- Global range
- Northern Australia (Oxyeleotris lineolata)
How to target: Sleepy Cod angling strategies
Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- live shrimp or small worms on a paternoster around timber in tropical rivers at night
- small soft plastics worked very slowly along the bottom
Best season: when to catch sleepy cod in Australia
No seasonal pattern for sleepy cod yet. Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions — check state fisheries advice and recent local reports before planning a trip.
Where to catch: sleepy cod fishing spots in Australia
One mapped fishing location for sleepy cod across Australia, covering land-based fishing, freshwater fishing and impoundment fishing. Each location below links through to access notes and coordinates.