Murray Cod season reopens for recreational fishers on Sunday 1 December 2019, following the annual three-month breeding closure.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Inland Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway said fishers always welcomed the season opening and there is still great cod fishing to be had in most impoundments and southern river systems, despite the ongoing drought.
“The Murray Cod is Australia’s largest freshwater fish and an icon of our inland waterways, so there’s no doubt that many anglers will be excited about the fishing season opening,” Mr Westaway said.
“Fisheries Officers who have been out and about during the closure – which applies to all cod waters apart from Blowering Dam and Copeton Dam – have said that the vast majority of anglers have respected the closure period, which shows appreciation within our community of the importance of protecting our valued Murray Cod populations.
“Now that Murray Cod have completed their breeding, fishing for this prized fish, in line with the general rules, can begin again.”
As the Murray Cod season opens, DPI Fisheries Compliance Officers will be out on the water to ensure that recreational fishers adhere to the legal bag and size limits along with all other fishing rules that apply.
DPI’s Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, said a daily bag limit of two Murray Cod per person and a total possession limit of four applies when fishing in any inland waters.
“Fishers are required to release Murray Cod which are smaller than 55cm, or bigger than 75cm, with the least possible harm,” Mr Tully said.
“NSW recreational freshwater fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and improve our fisheries resources for future generations.”
Other rules relating to the Murray cod include:
- Set lines are totally prohibited and cannot be used in any inland waters.
- Two attended lines may be used in all inland waters except some trout and closed waters, but these lines must be within 50 metres and in your line of sight.
- Live finfish including carp as well as birds and mammals cannot be used as bait.
