Murray Cod
The Murray Cod is one of Australia's largest native freshwater fish, found throughout the waterways of the Murray-Darling Basin.
In 2003, the Murray Cod was listed as a threatened species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Fishing restrictions were put in place as a measure to protect the spawning stock. Catch and release fishing is permitted in specified waters outside of the spawning season.
Closures
Taking Murray Cod is prohibited at all times from the waters of:
- the Murray River proper
- Lakes Albert and Alexandrina (excluding the waters of the Coorong).
Catch and release only
From 1 January to 31 July, catch and release fishing for Murray Cod is permitted in the waters of the River Murray proper (excluding the Chowilla floodplain north of the River Murray between 34°9'46.65" South, 140°45'30.41" East (Ral Ral Creek) upstream to the River Murray at 34°1'14.55" South, 141°0’9.72" East (South Australia and New South Wales border), and Lakes Albert and Alexandrina (excluding the waters of the Coorong).
See the Murray Cod closure map ().
Catch and release of Murray Cod is permitted all year round when reservoir fishing.
Seasonal restriction
From 1 August to 31 December, fishers are not allowed to target Murray Cod in the SA section of the River Murray proper and Lakes Albert and Alexandrina. This includes trailing a baited line or a lure through the water (known as trolling) from a moving vessel.
Anyone found taking or targeting Murray Cod during the closed season could face a penalty of up to $20,000.
Fishing practices for Murray Cod
You must use appropriate gear and handle Murray Cod with extreme care to avoid any adverse impact. This applies to both catch and release fishing or if you unintentionally catch a Murray Cod.
Fishing gear
Use the following gear when fishing for Murray Cod:
- barbless hooks
- barbless trebles on lures
- a knotless landing net to support the fish in the water.
Avoid using light lines and playing the fish to exhaustion. If using a fish grip, do not hold the fish vertically in the water.
Handling practices
Be well prepared with the necessary gear (nets, gloves, towels, and pliers) at hand before fishing for Marray Cod.
Make sure you know how to:
- land and handle your catch to minimise damage
- release fish to improve their chances of survival.
Each state has different Murray Cod handling laws. If fishing near or across the border, check with that state's fisheries department for details.
Murray Cod handling procedures video transcript
[Stephen Rowe - Radio Host & Recreational Fisher]
Murray Cod is one of the most revered species in our river system treasured by us wreck fish shows. From Jan 1 to July 31 each year recreational fishers are able to try their hand at catching and releasing one of Australia's largest freshwater fish species the Murray Cod.
Now catching a Murray Cod can be challenging an exhilarating experience.
I know now these big fish are slow to grow but they have a long life span and due to their size and weight they can be quite difficult to handle.
Primary Industries and Regions SA in consultation with RecFish SA has changed the rules to simplify the way you handle
Murray Cod once it's been hooked and ready to be released back into the water.
PIRSA Fisheries Officer David Grant and Michael Wilson from RecFish as they demonstrate how it's done.
David Grant: There's a catch and release season for Murray Cod which means that the public can enjoy fishing for the species. But once caught the fish must be unhooked and released back to the water immediately.
[David Grant – PIRSA Fisheries Officer]
Those restrictions are in place due to the stock concerns.
PIRSA in collaboration with RecFish SA in the Riverland Community releases cod fingerlings into the River Murray to boost the population numbers, as a part of the Murray Cod Stock Enhancement Program.
Annual closures during the breeding season, and the catch and release season, are in place to protect the Murray Cod population numbers. New handling methods have been created to make it easier for fishers to unhook a Murray Cod with minimum impact to the fish.
Murray Cod a fragile particularly large ones and must be handled with extreme care and respect.
[Michael Wilson RecFish SA]
Michael Wilson: So we've caught our Murray Cod. We've got it here next to the boat and we've got it securely.
Grab your pliers get a good strong hold of the hook, and pull it out. Now it's a good opportunity to take your photos remembering to only remove the head from the water.
Once you've got your good photo, release the fish back into the wild to catch it again another time.
[To release a Murray Cod from your line
- Avoid handling the fins and gills]
By all means enjoy the fishing but please take these tips on board to ensure the great Murray Cod is still the king of the Inland Waterways in a hundred years time.
RecFish SA is an advocate for the catch-and-release season, encouraging these new handling methods makes it easier for the public to enjoy fishing for Murray Cod, while preserving the wild populations.
Stephen: Catching and releasing Murray Cod is one of the most special fishing experiences you'll ever have. Look it's just incredible these updated handling methods are designed to help you catch and release a Murray Cod, and safeguard the future of this magical fish.
[End of transcript.]
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