The Murray cod fishing season in NSW officially opened today, December 1, following the annual three-month closure for breeding.
Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW), Inland Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway said the native species, which are mainly found in the Murray-Darling River system, are a popular catch among recreational fishers.
“Since the closure was first introduced more than a decade ago there have been numerous reports of significant increases in Murray cod numbers.
“Murray cod numbers have also been boosted through the NSW Government’s fish stocking program and the community’s Dollar for Dollar scheme, funded through the sale of recreational fishing licences in NSW and community groups,” Westaway said.
Last year 295,000 Murray cod fry and fingerlings, bred at Narrandera Fisheries Centre, were released under the NSW Government’s fish stocking program and a further 210,679 were stocked through the Dollar-for-Dollar scheme.
I&I NSW Director Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton said it is important that freshwater anglers are fully aware of the fishing rules in relation to Murray cod before going fishing.
“NSW fisheries officers will be regularly patrolling inland waterways to ensure fishers are complying with the rules when fishing for Murray cod and answering any questions on the legislation,” Tritton said.
There is a daily bag limit of two Murray cod per person per day and a total possession limit of four from either rivers or dams. The minimum legal length of Murray cod is 60cm, however anglers are allowed only one over 100cm in their possession.
A similar species, the endangered trout cod, is fully protected and anglers must be released upon capture.
More information can be found in the NSW recreational fishing freshwater fishing guide, which are available from I&I NSW offices and where NSW recreational fishing licences are sold.
