November 28, 2024
Photo: Victorian Fisheries Authority
The start of summer, on Sunday 1 December, marks Murray cod season opening after a three-month closed season.
Murray cod are arguably one of the most iconic freshwater fish in Victoria and recfishers love reeling them in. In our latest advocacy survey, the data showed us that they’re the seventh most targeted fish species in Victoria.
But how much do you know about Murray cod? With Murray cod open season upon us, we thought it’d be a great time to learn more about Australia’s largest native freshwater fish species.
Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) are primarily found in the Murray-Darling river system. Cod generally prefer slow flowing, turbid water in streams and rivers. They commonly favour deeper water around boulders, undercut banks, overhanging vegetation and logs.
Its distribution and abundance has reduced over the years through the construction of dams and environmental changes such as river flows, temperatures and increased siltation of streams.
Mighty Murray cod is characterised by its deep, elongated body, large mouth with needle-like teeth, and distinctive colouration that includes a creamy white belly and varies from yellowish-green to dark mottled patterns depending on its habitat. Its colouring provides excellent camouflage in their natural habitat.
Murray cod are voracious feeders and predators. They primarily feed on fish, crustaceans, frogs, and even small mammals like mice.
Murray Cod can grow to impressive sizes, with many recfishers hoping to one day tick a metery off their fishing bucket list! They can reach a maximum size of about 1.8m and 113 kg. Though they are commonly found in Victoria reaching 55-65 cm and weights of 2-5 kg, according to the Victorian Fisheries Authority.
Spawning occurs during the spring and early summer months when water temperatures are between 16 and 21°C. Murray cod can travel hundred of kilometres upstream when river levels are high for spawning.
Females can lay up to 40,000 eggs, measuring around 3–3.5 mm diameter, depending on their size and health. They form breeding pairs, their eggs are laid in sheltered areas and usually lay their eggs onto a hard surface such as logs, rocks, or clay banks. Males spend a lot of time guarding and tending to the fertilised eggs by continually fanning the eggs to keep them oxygenated. Murray cod eggs hatch 6 to 13 days later, with juvenile fish feeding freely about 3-4 weeks later. After spawning the fish return back to the same area and even the same snag!
When in breeding mode, cod are at their most vulnerable. During this time, they exhibit a high degree of parental care and when protecting their nests they often become territorial, aggressive and are often easy to catch by recfishers. This is when we give them a rest on the nest, during the annual spring closed season.
In Victoria, Murray cod are classified as “threatened” under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
CARE FOR COD
We have partnered with the Victorian Fisheries Authority and Native Fish Australia to develop a Care for Cod campaign. When practicing catch and release, adopting better handling practices can help cod to survive post-release.
Care for Cod follows a simple four point plan.
- Be prepared Have your cod gloves, knotless net and long-nose pliers ready for a catch.
- Reduce air time Minimise the time the cod spends out of the water to under 30 seconds. Where possible, leave the cod in the water.
- Gently does it Support the cod’s body
- Use the right gear When baiting fishing use circle hooks and a tight line to avoid deep hooking the fish, also reduce fight time by using heavier gear
For more information on Murray cod rules and regulations, including size and bag limits, visit the Victorian Fisheries Authority Murray cod page.
For more information on New South Wales Murray cod rules and regulations, visit the NSW Government’s fishing rules and regulations page.
If you are out fishing in Victoria this summer, and keen to see where fish have been stocked, check out the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Fish Stocking Database. You can search by waterway, by species, by date, and much more to know exactly how your fishing licence fees have been utilised in the fish stocking program.
Keen to learn more about our iconic Murray cod? Check out these great resources:
