Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
The iconic freshwater cod species Murray cod and Mary River cod will be off-limits to fishers during a closed season from September 1 to November 30, 2018.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol District Officer Coby Walker said the annual closure which allows the species to reproduce during spawning season was important for maintaining sustainable fish stocks. “The closed season for Mary River cod applies to all Queensland non-tidal waters, including stocked impoundments,” Mr Walker said. “For Murray cod, the closure applies only to Queensland waters within the Murray-Darling Drainage Division.”
Mr Walker said an exception to the Murray cod closed season applies to Beardmore, Beehive, Connolly, Cooby, Coolmunda, Glenlyon, Leslie and Storm King dams where the fish are stocked.
“If fishing for Murray cod at one of the dams where the closure does not apply, a minimum size limit of 60 centimetres, maximum size limit of 110 centimetres and a possession limit of two fish per person applies. All fishers aged 18 years or over must have a stocked impoundment permit, except at Beardmore Dam, which is not included on the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme.”
To report suspected illegal fishing activity, call the 24 hour toll-free Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116.
For more information on Queensland fishing rules, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores.
