Cod season officially opened last week following the annual three-month breeding closure. NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said there was great Murray Cod fishing to be had in many river systems and impoundments given recent inflows after the drought.
“The Murray Cod is Australia’s largest freshwater fish and an icon of our inland waterways, so this news will be eagerly welcomed by anglers,” Mr Marshall said. With the Gwydir River at Bingara renowned for some of the best freshwater fishing in NSW, it is a great place to get out for the day and try your luck.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall releasing a rescued metre-long Murray Cod.
“We have seen recent inflows into our river systems, creating much healthier environments for our native fish species. These are some of the best conditions we have seen in many years. During the last three months, the vast majority of anglers have respected the breeding closure period, which shows an appreciation within our community in the importance of protecting our valued populations. Now that Murray Cod have completed their breeding, fishing for this prized fish, in line with the general rules, can begin again.”
Anglers are reminded that Fisheries Compliance Officers will be out on the water to ensure that legal bag and size limits, and other rules are abided by. A daily bag limit of two Murray Cod per person and a total possession limit of four applies when fishing in any inland waters applies.
“Fishers are also required to release Murray Cod which are smaller than 55cm, or bigger than 75cm, with the least possible harm,” said Mr Marshall. “These rules are in place to ensure sustainable populations into the future, so that our more than one million annual fishers can enjoy their favoured pastime for generations.”
More Murray Cod fishing tips and rules are available on the NSW DPI website. Information on legal fishing and marine invertebrate collecting is also available through the free FishSmartNSW App.
Anyone with information on suspected illegal fishing activity is urged to contact their local Fisheries office, call the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or report illegal fishing activities online.
