What is the difference between the murray cod and the eastern cod

Anglers who fish in waters where trout cod occur need to be able to differentiate the species from Murray cod. This is because trout cod are an endangered species and are totally protected by law. The water where you are most likely to encounter trout cod is in the Murray River from Yarrawonga downstream to the Barmah Forest. Trout cod are also sometimes encountered in other areas, for example in Seven Creeks near Euroa downstream of the closed section of course there are trout cod in the closed section but being closed to angling, we are not allowed to fish there and in other areas as a result of the trout cod re-stocking program.

Hopefully as time passes these other populations will increase; of course this will mean that more anglers will accidentally encounter them.

The key differences for an angler between these two closely related species are in the following areas this is not intended to be a scientific description :. Trout cod usually have a black or at least dark horizontal stripe on the side of the head, level with the pupil of the eye, although sometimes the stripe is missing, broken or indistinct.

Juvenile Murray cod can also have this stripe but only in small fish well under legal size, which must be released anyway. It is very easy and common to mistake a trout cod for a Murray cod, and vice-versa. However, there are a few distinguishing features that make it easy to tell the difference between the two different, but similar, species, including: Murray cod have a shorter snout Trout cod have an overhanging upper jaw Trout cod have a stripe through the eye Trout cod have spotted markings on the body where Murray cod have mosiac pattern markings Trout cod generally appear more blue-grey in colour and Murray cod more green-olive with a bright, white belly Trout cod are generally more aggressive and outfight Murray cod For more information, see the Victorian Fisheries Authority website for a more detailed description of the differences.

Latest News. Fin samples and DNA testing is sometimes the only way. That doesn't help us much hey. NOT an authority on cod species at all, but was told just yesterday, the eastern has very fine, almost wispy filaments on the pec fins - see yellow circle. Murray has same but much blunter and less delicate Im thinking eastern due to the smaller slender head Nichos Maulers Homemade timber lures Looks like a easten Cheers Graeme. Caught in Jerrabombra lake and Jerrabombra is in Queanbeyan.

Lake has Atlantic Salmon in it also as they get released from Gaden hatchery in Jinabyne. Fish are stocked and thought that maybe they got Eastern Cod instead of Murray Cod. Other people who have caught them say they look Eastern Cod.

Bush Heritage is involved in a regional partnership that aims to improve water quality and habitat along a km stretch of the river called the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach. Amongst the projects this group has undertaken, is work focused on European carp control. Since the carp was introduced about years ago, it's become a pest.

More than 96 out of every fish caught in the demonstration reach is a carp. The effects of carp on native fish populations are not well understood. Donate today to help us continue this and other vital conservation work. Most of our operating costs are funded by generous individuals. Skip to Content. Home Species Murray Cod. Maccullochella peelii Australia's largest freshwater fish, Murray Cod can live 50 years and grow over kg! The story of the Murray Cod mirrors that of most Australian endangered species.

Because of its abundance, the cod was commercially fished from the early years of European settlement. The biggest recorded was 1. Where do Murray Cod live? Murray Cod behaviour Also known as 'pigs of the waterways' Murray Cod are very aggressive and highly territorial.