Murray cod

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Murray cod

Common name/sMurray cod
Scientific name

Maccullochella peelii

Legal sizeMinimum: 55cm
Maximum: 75cm
Bag limit

Rivers: 1

In specified lakes and impoundments (see below): 2

Urban lakes (see below, and a full list of urban lakes here): 2

Closed season

1 September to 30 November inclusive.

The closed season does not apply in the following waters:

  • Lake Eildon

  • Arcadia Pondage

  • Waters south of the Great Dividing Range, except the Yarra River

  • Waters of the Wimmera and Millicent basins, except the Wimmera River

  • Lake Eppalock, Cairn Curran Reservoir and Lake Nillahcootie

Possession limit There is a statewide possession limit for Murray cod of 5 fish or less than 30kg in any other form. This is the maximum number/amount of a particular type of fish that a person can possess at any one time anywhere in Victoria (including your home)
Additional information

These fish can't be filleted in or on Victorian waters. They must be kept whole or in carcass form until you're away from the water. It's okay to fillet your fish on the cleaning tables at the boat ramp.

Murray cod are often mistaken for trout cod. See the differences in the images below.

Trout cod

Trout cod
Murray cod
Murray cod

Specified lakes and impoundments

  • Barkers Creek Reservoir
  • Benalla Lake
  • Big Meran Lake
  • Booroopki Swamp
  • Boga Lake
  • Buffalo Lake
  • Cairn Curran Reservoir
  • Charlegrark Lake
  • Charm Lake
  • Cullulleraine Lake
  • Eildon Lake
  • Eppalock Lake
  • First Reedy Lake
  • Greens Lake
  • Hume Lake
  • Kangaroo Lake
  • Kow Swamp
  • Laanecoorie Reservoir
  • Lascelles Lake
  • Lauriston Reservoir
  • Moodemere Lake
  • Nagambie Weir (Defined as all impounded waters upstream of Magambie Weir to Chinamans Bridge on the Goulburn River and inclusive of Lake Nagambie)
  • Nillahcootie Lake
  • Numurkah Lake
  • Rocklands Reservoir
  • Taylors Lake
  • Victoria Lake (Shepparton)
  • Upper Coliban Reservoir
  • Walkers Lake
  • Waranga Basin

Urban Lakes

  • Albert Park Lake
  • Casey Fields Lake
  • Karkarook Lake
  • Melton Reservoir
  • Navan Park Lake
  • Quarry Lake (Ferntree Gully)
  • Roxburgh Park Lake
  • Spavin Lake