Murray Cod

Maccullochella peeli

cod

Murray Cod is the largest freshwater fish in Australia, reaching a recorded weight of greater than 100 kg and a length of 1.8 m.  Murray Cod are slow growing and long-lived, potentially living to over 45 years of age. 
Murray Cod forms an integral part of the riverine ecosystem being top of the food chain in the freshwater food web. It is also culturally important to many Australian communities and has acquired an iconic status due to its impressive size and aggressive/territorial  nature. 

 

Life Cycle

Murray Cod age and size at maturity vary between populations.  They generally mature at 4 – 6 years and are approximately 500 – 600 mm total length.  Nevertheless, age and size data at maturity for populations of Murray Cod in the lower Murray River is lacking.  Murray Cod have a relatively short, well-defined breeding season, with spawning occurring in spring and early summer cued by increasing photoperiod (ie. longer days) and water temperature.

Females can lay up to 90,000 eggs, with the number of eggs generally proportional to the size of the female.  Eggs are deposited on hard surfaces such as inside hollow logs, or on rocks or clay banks.  Murray Cod spawn annually, but in the lower River Murray relatively strong year classes may only be established when the breeding season coincides with high river flows, both within channel and overbank.

Recent investigations of Murray Cod movement in the lower Murray River suggest that Murray Cod may undertake spawning and non-spawning movements of 10s – 100s km along the main channel of the Murray River and between main channel and off-channel habitats (e.g. the Chowilla Anabranch system).  Murray Cod, however, can also be sedentary and juvenile and adult fish may show differences in behaviour and movement.

Feeding Habits

Murray cod consume a wide variety of prey.  They ingest virtually anything that takes their fancy, including waterfowl, rats and carp.  Beer cans, bottle tops and other shiny debris have also been reported from the stomach of Murray Cod.

Habits

Murray Cod habitat varies greatly from small clear rocky streams to the generally turbid, slow-flowing rivers and creeks.  Murray Cod are generally found in or near deep holes and prefer habitats containing cover such as rocks, fallen trees, stumps, and clay banks or overhanging vegetation

Catch Limits & Legal Lengths

Minimum legal length:
 - CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY (It is an offence to remove Murray Cod from the water)
Maximum legal length: -
Personal daily bag limit: -
Daily boat limit: -
Closed season:

Taking of Murray Cod is prohibited between 1 August and 31 December, inclusive.

The taking of Murray Cod is prohibited from any section of the Chowilla floodplain north of the River Murray (excluding the River Murray) between 34°9'46.70" South, 140°45'30.38" East (Ral Ral Creek) upstream to the River Murray at 34°1'14.60" South, 141°0’9.69" East (South Australia and New South Wales border).