 |
| Trout Cod usually grow to 40 cm in length and weigh
less than 5 kg. However, Trout Cod have been found that are up to
80 cm in length and weigh as much as 16 kg. |
The Trout Cod was once found everywhere in the southern parts of the
Murray-Darling Basin. Now they are only found between Yarrawonga Weir
and Barmah State Forest, with a few in Seven Creeks. They have also been stocked in
rivers, lakes and dams.
|
 |
IN THE PAST
Trout Cod were once very common. |
TODAY
There are hardly any Trout Cod left. They are now fully protected
and are listed nationally as 'critically endangered'. |
|
 |
 |
 |
| SLOPES AND TABLELANDS |
LAKES AND DAMS |
Trout Cod live in the slopes and tableland regions
of the Murray and Goulburn Rivers. They have also been stocked in rivers,
lakes and dams.
|
 |
 |
 |
| SNAGS AND ROCKS |
RIFFLES AND RAPIDS |
| Trout Cod live away from the bank in areas that have snags and
logs. They like living in flowing pools between falls and rapids, with
rocks, boulders and debris. |
MATING
It is thought that male and female Trout Cod spawn in pairs.
They are able to reproduce at 3 -5 years of age. |
SPAWNING
Spawning takes place from September - November, when temperatures
range from 14-18°C. |
EGGS
Female Trout Cod release about 10,000 eggs. The eggs are large
(3 -5 mm) and become sticky after being fertilised.
They are probably deposited in logs or other objects on the river bed. |
JUVENILES
Young Trout Cod hatch in 6-10 days at 20°C. Newly-hatched
fish are 8 mm long, and have a large yolk sac attached. |
Trout Cod that have been fitted with radio transmitters and tracked
do not seem to move far from their home range. They do travel further
to spawn but
then return to their homes, which are often snags.
Live Trout Cod fitted with tagging device. The orange
colour is from an antiseptic solution. |
|
 |
 |
IN THE PAST
Trout Cod were caught by commercial fishers
from the mid -1880s to early 1940s. |
TODAY
Catching Trout Cod is prohibited. |
 |
IN THE PAST
Trout Cod were probably eaten by Aborigines and early settlers. |
TODAY
Trout Cod are protected and it is illegal to catch and keep them. |
 |
LEGAL SIZES
Sometimes there are limits on the size of Trout Cod that can be
caught.
| ACT: |
Protected in this State |
| NSW: |
Protected in this State |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
Protected in this State |
| Vic.: |
Protected in this State |
|
CATCH LIMITS
Sometimes there are limits on the number of Trout Cod that can
be caught.
| ACT: |
Protected in this State |
| NSW: |
Protected in this State |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
Protected in this State |
| Vic.: |
Protected in this State |
|
CLOSED SEASONS
Sometimes Trout Cod can only be caught at certain times of the
year.
| ACT: |
Protected in this State |
| NSW: |
Protected in this State |
| Qld.: |
Not found |
| SA: |
Protected in this State |
| Vic.: |
Protected in this State |
|
BAIT
Fishing for Trout Cod is prohibited. If one is caught, it must
be released immediately, unharmed. |
 |
| FISH HABITATS |
| The removal of snags and woody debris from rivers has meant that there
are fewer places for Trout Cod to live. |
 |
| WATER FLOW |
| River
regulations have changed water flows, providing fewer places for
spawning. |
 |
| ALIEN SPECIES |
| Alien fish
compete with Trout Cod for food and can introduce new diseases. |
 |
| FISHING |
| Trout Cod are now totally protected because there are so few of them
left. |
| Trout Cod were first bred in 1986. From 1995 - 1998 more than 390,000
young fish were grown in hatcheries in
New South Wales and then released into rivers in areas where Trout Cod
normally lived. Young Trout Cod are released when they reach 35-40 mm
in length and are 6-7 weeks old. Over 25,000 young fish have also been
stocked in rivers, lakes and dams in New South Wales. Unfortunately,
these may not be breeding at healthy rates. |
RECOVERY PLANS
Trout Cod are referred to as 'critically endangered'. This means
that they are in danger of becoming extinct and need very special management. Recovery Plans
for the Trout Cod include:
- A team of specialists being placed in
charge of Recovery.
- More research.
- Protecting Trout Cod habitats by
fencing off riverbank vegetation and
replacing snags.
- Replacing Trout Cod in areas of the
river where they used to live.
- Breeding more Trout Cod in hatcheries
to release into the wild.
- Making a list of the most important
areas to restock first.
- Encouraging community awareness
about Trout Cod.
- Keeping a careful watch on numbers. |
|
