Murray Cod

Cod, Goodoo

Maccullochella peelii

BEST BAITS

Soft Plastic Lure

METHODS

Freshwater

EATING QUALITY

Catch and release

Overview

Murray Cod are the apex native fish of the Murray-Darling Basin. In South Australia taking Murray Cod is prohibited at all times from the River Murray proper and Lakes Albert and Alexandrina, but catch-and-release fishing is permitted from 1 January to 31 July in most of the River Murray proper. They are a prized catch on big lures and live baits around snags, and must be handled with extreme care and released immediately.

Quick Info

DIFFICULTY

Intermediate

TYPICAL SIZE

50-90 cm (released)

MAXIMUM SIZE

Can exceed 1 m; all fish must be released

HABITAT

Snags, Deep holes, Boulder bars

BEST MONTHS

Catch and release season: 1 January - 31 July

ENVIRONMENTS

Freshwater

Identification

Large olive-green to cream mottled fish with a pale belly, rounded dorsal fin and small high-set eyes.

Green-mottled pattern over a creamy white belly and a rounded tail; lacks the golden colour and notched dorsal fin of golden perch.

SIMILAR SPECIES

Trout cod (dark speckling with a whitish belly stripe and straighter jaw) and golden perch.

Where to Find Them

SnagsDeep holesBoulder bars

Typical depth: 2-10 m

Fishing environments: Freshwater

When to Fish

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Best monthsCatch and release season: 1 January - 31 July

Time of dayDusk and after dark in summer, warm overcast days

ConditionsWarm water and heavy structure: timber snags, rock bars and deep holes

Seasonal movementRivers are closed to cod fishing from 1 September to 30 November (exemptions apply in some waters and impoundments); the prime fishing months are the warm months.

How to Catch Them

Cast large surface and deep-diving lures alongside snags during the catch-and-release season. Use barbless hooks and a knotless landing net, support the fish in the water and release it immediately.

Large hardbodies, surface lures and big soft plastics worked slowly into snag corners; yabby and shrimp baits also account for cod.

Slow, deliberate retrieves with long pauses beside timber; cod often follow before striking on the pause.

BEGINNER TIPS

Start in the impoundments and closed-season exemption waters; cast to the front of snags and be patient between casts.

COMMON MISTAKES

Ignoring the 55-75 cm slot and the 1 September to 30 November river closed season; fish outside the slot must be returned quickly.

Best Baits

Soft Plastic Lure

Prawn and baitfish-pattern plastics on jigheads - the go-to lure for flathead, bream, golden perch and inshore species.

Rigs & Gear

Soft Plastic Jighead Setup

A jighead with a soft plastic threaded on — the most versatile lure setup in fishing, worked slowly along the bottom for bream, flathead and snapper with a natural, bait-like action.

Current SA Fishing Rules

CURRENT SA FISHING RULES

River Murray & freshwater waters

RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Special limits and conditions apply in River Murray & freshwater waters — see below.

Minimum size—

Permitted gearBarbless hooks, barbless trebles on lures, knotless landing net. Handle with extreme care and release immediately.

Minimum size—

Special conditionsTaking Murray Cod is prohibited at all times from the River Murray proper and Lakes Albert and Alexandrina. Catch and release fishing is permitted from 1 January to 31 July in the River Murray proper, excluding the Chowilla floodplain reach (Ral Ral Creek upstream to the SA-NSW border) and the lakes. From 1 August to 31 December targeting Murray Cod (including trolling a baited line or lure) is not allowed. Catch and release is permitted all year round in SA reservoirs.

Seasonal closuresNo targeting 1 August - 31 December.

LAST CHECKED: 30 September 2026SOURCE: PIRSA

Always check current regulations before fishing. Fishing rules and closures can change.

CHECK CURRENT PIRSA RULES