The Murray River is teeming with a variety of fish species, including Murray Cod, Callop, Catfish, Bream, Macquarie Perch, and Redfin.

The Murray Cod is the star of the show—a large native freshwater fish that can grow up to 1.8m and weighing up to 113kg! This iconic species is also threatened in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin. You can catch and release Murray Cod from January 1 to July 31 each year, but remember, it’s illegal to lift them out of the water in South Australia during this period.

While catching a Murray Cod might be a challenge, Carp are everywhere and can be a bit of a nuisance. Often called the “rabbits of the river” these fish are blamed for many problems, like the decline of native fish and habitat degradation, and they are a big reason for the river’s murky waters. While it can be a fun experience for children to catch them, please remember that once caught, you are not allowed to release them back into the river.

For a fun family activity, try yabbying with the kids. Yabbies are abundant from October to April, and you can easily find nets at most outdoor and fishing stores.