How I caught a monster Murray cod on my family property in NSW

Last Christmas, standing in the bed of Moredum Creek, I felt that unmistakable tug and up came a 68cm cod. The year before? An 83cm monster. Not bad for a family that only moved to New Valley a few years ago!

For us, Christmas isn’t just about prawns and pavlova – it’s about wetting a line in the creek that runs through our property. And when you’re chasing Murray cod, every cast feels like a lottery ticket.

Picture this: a quiet summer evening, mozzies buzzing, the smell of gum trees hanging in the warm air.

I cast an orange-and-gold surface lure toward one of the deep holes cod love to bunker down in, then came that telltale thump.

I yelled to Dad to grab the net and the measuring mat, already buzzing to get this fish to the surface and see just how big it was.

When we laid that 83cm cod onto the brag mat, I couldn’t stop grinning.

The following year, a 68cm cod joined my tally.

Both fish were quickly photographed, measured, and released back into the creek because doing the right thing keeps these Aussie icons around for future generations.

What makes these fish so special? For starters, they’re Australia’s largest freshwater fish. Historically, Murray cod have grown to an incredible 1.8 metres and more than 100kg, though giants like that are rarely seen today.

Most cod caught are under 70cm and under 10kg but every now and then, anglers still encounter a true river titan.

Murray cod are ambush predators with serious attitude. They’ll smash spinnerbaits, deep divers, swimbaits, yabbies, shrimp – even the odd unlucky bird.

They thrive in slow-flowing rivers, deep holes, fallen timber, undercut banks and the warm, tannin-stained waters of the Murray–Darling system. But their significance goes well beyond sportfishing.

In Aboriginal Dreaming, the giant Murray cod – Ponde or Pondi – carved out the winding shape of the Murray River as it fled from the hunter Ngurunderi.

For many First Nations communities, the cod symbolises creation, life, and a deep connection between people and waterways.

If you’re keen to chase cod, make sure you’re fishing by the book. In NSW:

If you’re lucky enough to land a metre-plus fish, grab a quick photo and send it back. These big breeders are vital for the future of the species.

Always check your local rules via your state or territory fisheries authority before heading out.

Murray cod have had a tough century.

Drought, river regulation, poor water quality, blackwater events and overfishing have all taken their toll. The species is currently listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and is considered depleted in NSW.

There’s good news, though – large-scale conservation and restocking efforts are delivering real results.

Murray cod rescued from drought-stricken rivers in 2019 have since produced more than one million fingerlings through hatchery programs, with hundreds of thousands released back into waterways such as the Macquarie River.

For us, these catches aren’t just about bragging rights. They’re about family, tradition and the magic of the Aussie bush.

There’s something special about standing on a creek bank at sunset, rod in hand, waiting for that unmistakable thump.

It’s a yarn for the dinner table, a photo for the album, and a reminder of why we love this country – the people, the rivers, and the monsters that lurk beneath the surface.

Got a cod story of your own? Share it with us – because nothing beats the thrill of landing a true Aussie monster.

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