All photos supplied by Andy McGovern.
Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) are also known as Goodoo and Pondis.
Murray cod are an iconic Australian native species and the largest freshwater fish on the continent. They are a prized recreation capture with many anglers now practicing catch and release for these highly territorial fish. Being the apex predator in our western flowing waterways they can reach an impressive size with the largest ever recorded Murray cod weighing a staggering 113 kilograms and 1.8m in length.
They can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, and channels, as well being successfully stocked into many urban waterways close to suburban built up areas.
Where to Fish
Murray cod are structure orientated fish so anglers should look for habitat that provides cover and shelter for the fish. Even when actively on the hunt for food, cod will rarely be far from the security of their shelter.
Large river gums and casuarinas, submerged timber, undercut banks, boulders and rock clusters, and root balls are all prime Murray cod habitat. In waterways devoid of these permanent physical features, cod have been known to use large, thick weed beds and shade from bankside obstacles as refuge. Man made structures such as jetties, bridge pylons, and rock filled dam and road walls, are also productive areas to fish for cod.
A beautiful Murray Cod that ate a spinnerbait during exploration of a remote stream by kayak.
Bait Fishing
Best baits for Murray cod are worms, shrimps, yabbies, wood grubs, and cheese.
A simple running ball sinker directly above the hook is ideal for cod of all sizes. Sinker size should be kept to a minimum to ensure your bait presentation is as natural as possible. Select a sinker size sufficient to hold your bait on the bottom, which is particularly important if fishing in moving water of rivers and streams.
Circle hooks are highly recommended when targeting cod with bait, especially if you plan to practice catch and release. Circle hooks are designed to reduce gut hooking fish with the majority of fish hooked in the scissors, or corner of the mouth/jaw. This will allow a fast, seamless release without causing the fish undue stress and reduce damaging any of the fish’s vital organs. Murray cod have huge mouths so a large circle hook from size 1/0 up to 6/0 will be adequate for most styles of fishing. Match the size of your hook to the size of your bait.
A big river Cod caught using a circle hook. Using circle hooks when bait fishing will significantly reduce gut hooked fish, minimise harm to the fish, and facilitate a quick, seamless release.
Lure and Fly Fishing
Murray cod will take a wide range of lure styles, sizes, colours, and patterns. Below is a breakdown of each genre of lures for the Murray cod enthusiast.
Spinnerbaits
One of the most popular cod lures since they were introduced into Australia, over 35 years ago. Available in a vast array of colours, weights, and blade configurations. Willow style blades are ideal for fast water, they deliver a tight spiral flash when retrieved, and work well when you want to keep your lure high in the water column. Colorado style blades displace significant water with their large pulsing rotation, can be worked in deep areas, and are a good option in slightly dirty water. Selecting the correct weight is vital to success in rivers and lakes. Too heavy and the lure will get snagged every cast and too light and the lure will not be able to get down to where the cod are holding. It is worth having a mix of 1/2oz, 5/8oz, and 3/4oz weighted lures. For most river applications it is recommended that a 5/8oz spinnerbait will cover most scenarios. A slow, methodical retrieve is all that is required with using a spinnerbait, ensuring the blade/s are rotating each retrieve.
Spinnerbaits are one of the most popular cod lures since they were introduced to Australia.
Diving Minnows (Hard Bodies)
Available is an assortment of lengths, diving depths, colours, and profiles. Minnows are designed to mimic a small fish that a cod will eat or that they perceive as a territorial threat.
Deep diving minnows that dive down to 2-3 metres are considered the most reliable cod lures, however, having a few that dive to 5 metres or more, are beneficial in very deep sections of a river or lake. Cod will regularly strike at lures larger than 250mm long but also eat a lure as small as 50mm. Lure lengths that fall within this range will all catch cod, however, the most consistent presentations are between 80 and 120mm.
Murray Cod caught with a diving hard body minnow.
Surface Lures
Surface style lures imitate a variety of animals and birds including water fowl, baby birds, rakali, bush rats, mice, water dragons, and small lizards. There are a number of different styles of surface lures. Paddlers have a curved “windscreen” type of bib attached to the front of the lure and when retrieved create a side to side “paddling” action as they swim in. Wakebaits have a short bib attached to the front of the lure and have a tantalising “snake” like action in the water. As the name suggests they leave “wake” behind them when retrieved when can be seen from some distance away. The other style of surface lure are Poppers. They have a cup shaped face and when pulled through the water “push” a small jet of water forward of the lure which is normally associated with a popping sound.
Diving Hard Bodied Minnows.
Surface Lures.
Soft Plastics
Soft plastic lures are not only lifelike in appearance but when a fish bites or strikes them, they feel real to the fish. Soft plastics can imitate small fish, yabbies, shrimps, and even worms. They are available pre-rigged and ready to use straight out of the packet or anglers can opt for the modular system of matching a specifically weight jig head to a soft plastic body. Minnow or fish profiles with a large bulbous paddle tail are an excellent soft plastic for all sized cod. A slow retrieve that is fast enough to activate tail movement will generate strikes in most scenarios. Impart some twitches and flicks during the retrieve to mimic an injured fish.
A trophy sized Murray Cod taken from the Murrumbidgee River on a large soft plastic fish/minnow imitation.
Tackle
Big cod are powerful fish so a main line of 30-50lb breaking strain is recommended. Monofilament lines are a good option when bait fishing as they are easy to tie knots and are abrasion resistant around underwater obstacles such as submerged rocks and logs. Braided lines are thin and strong with almost no stretch, making them ideal for lure fishing. As cod have powerful jaws and grinding teeth that can quickly wear through light line once hooked, it is important to use a heavy leader between 30lb and 60lb.
A bait caster or overhead style of outfit is ideal for lure fishing for cod. A fast taper rod between 1.6m to 2.0m in length and rated to 6-8kg matched with a 100 or 200 size baitcasting reel will cover most lure fishing situations.
For bait fishing a 3000 to 5000 sized threadline reel matched to a 1.8m to 2.2m spin rod rated to 6-10kg is recommended.
Size
Average size ranges from 450mm to 620mm. Fish greater than 800mm can be regularly caught and considered a high-quality specimen. Huge, trophy sized cod greater than the magic one metre mark are regularly caught every season in the Murrumbidgee River. Fish greater than 1.2m are rare, however, every season several of these behemoths are caught. Fortunately, most recreational anglers are now practicing catch and release, so that these big fish can breed and maintain a sustainable fishery for the future.
Long hikes into backcountry streams and creeks will often produce stunning fish.
This chunky fish couldn’t resist a surface paddler that imitates a small bird or lizard perfectly.
Bag, Size Limit and Closed Season in NSW/ACT
There is a closed season for Murray cod from 1 September to 30 November every year. Currently Murray cod can be targeted year-round in Copeton and Blowering dams where there is no closed season.
There is a slot size limit of 55cm to 75cm. Fish outside this length range must be released immediately.
Anglers are allowed to take 2 fish per day and there is a possession limit of 4 fish.
Read the NSW Fisheries rules and regulations for Murray Cod.
Fish outside of the slot limit (55cm to 75cm) must be released immediately. Ensure you do not drag or pull Murray Cod onto the bank when land fishing. Leave the fish in shallow water whilst removing the hooks as to not injure the fish.
By-Catch
Depending on which area you are fishing there is a chance you may hook Golden Perch, Macquarie Perch, and even Trout Cod when targeting Murray cod. Remember Trout Cod and Macquarie Perch are totally protected and should be released unharmed, as quickly as possible.
If you are land-based fishing and happen to hook one of the protected species, it is important you do not drag or pull these species onto the mud, sand, and dry grass as this will damage the protective slime covering their body. Removing this protective slim will leave the fish susceptible to infection and bacterial growth once released back into the water. Leave the fish in the shallow water by the edge and remove the hooks while the fish is in the water. A fishing glove or wet towel can assist in subduing the fish while you remove the hooks.
Fishing Tip
Lure casting for Murray cod is an exhilarating way to catch these magnificent fish. Of all the styles of lure fishing available, casting and retrieving surface lures is by far the most exciting. Surface lures are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and patterns. One of the most productive and simple to use surface lures is the “Paddler”. Designed with a curved “windscreen” type of bib and attached to the front of the lure, Paddlers imitate a small bird, water fowl, or rodent, which are all high on a big Murray cod’s favourite food list. A slow, methodical retrieve is all that is required to get these lures doing their thing on the water. Watching your lure bloop, sway, and dance on the surface is mesmerising and there are few experiences in freshwater fishing that can match witnessing that initial explosion on water (or “boof” as it is known in Cod fishing circles) of a big cod attack.
Best times to use surface lures are low light conditions around dawn and dusk. Also, heavily overcast days and into the night are also productive times to target a cod off the surface.
Best tips for catch and release of the mighty Murray Cod.
Help Our Fisheries and Waterways
While undertaking recreational fishing activities you may come across various species of fish. Some streams such as those in the the upper Murrumbidgee catchment upstream of the ACT do not contain species such as Redfin. You can help fish scientists and fisheries managers to protect these species and maintain fishing grounds through logging fish sightings on Feral Fish Scan.
Download the Feral Fish Scan app.
Profile of a magnificent Murray Cod held at water level before release.
Does this sound important?
If you are inspired by our work and our focus, learn about how to practically support this work.