Species
Sleepy Cod
Oxyeleotris lineolata
Tier 4Eating8/10light tackleQLDNT
1 waypoint20–35 cm (max 50 cm) typical
Regulations
QLDbag 20
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| QLD | — | 20 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
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
Safety & handling
In the same waters
- saltwater crocodiles in NT/QLD waterways
Recent community catches: anglers who caught sleepy cod
No sleepy cod catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: sleepy cod fishing spots in Australia
Queensland1
More information: sleepy cod references & sources
Saved.