Victorian Murray cod season reopens on 1 December, after the three-month spring closure. In 2026 that falls on a Tuesday, which means the first real opening weekend is Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. Nagambie is one of the closest serious cod waters to Melbourne, so expect company. This guide covers the dates, the rules and how to make the most of the first week.
01The dates that matter
The closed season for Murray cod runs from 1 September to 30 November inclusive across most Victorian waters, including Lake Nagambie and the Goulburn River. Fishing reopens on 1 December. Check the VFA's Murray cod page for the current rules before you plan the trip.
With opening day on a Tuesday this year, you have a choice: take a day off and fish quiet water midweek, or join the crowd on the first weekend. If it's the weekend, book your bed now. Nagambie accommodation fills fast for the first weekend of cod season, and it collides with the start of the summer booking rush.
02Rules before you cast
A few things catch people out every December:
The slot limit is 55 to 75 centimetres. Anything under 55 or over 75 goes straight back, which means most trophy fish are release-only. Bag and possession limits differ between rivers and specified lakes, so check the VFA Murray cod page for the water you are fishing. Cod must be kept whole at the water; filleting in or on Victorian waters is not permitted.
The Goulburn also holds trout cod, which are protected. If you are not certain which species you have caught, release it.
You need a current Victorian fishing licence unless you are exempt. See our licence and rules guide for how to get one and what it covers.
03Where to fish in the first week
Start with our hot spots guide for the detail. In short: the drowned red gums of the eastern timber are the classic early-season cod water, and the moving water below the weir is worth the trip if the flows are right. See the Goulburn Weir guide before heading up there.
If you are trailering, expect queues at the ramps before dawn on the first weekend. Check the boat ramps guide and have a second option in mind. The lake gets busy with skiers and wakeboats from mid-morning in December, so the serious fishing windows are first and last light. Check what's on the lake this weekend before you lock in a date, as rowing regattas can close sections of the lake.
Bank and kayak anglers have an advantage in the first week: the quiet backwaters and timber edges that boats pass over. A kayak at dawn around the timber is as good as Nagambie fishing gets.
04Early-season tactics
December cod are coming off the spawn. The big fish are recovering, often holding tight to structure, and they reward accuracy over distance. Work spinnerbaits and hardbodies tight to the timber, and fish surface lures on dark and into the evening as the water warms.
If you are gearing up, our must-have lures for cod opening covers what to tie on, and buying your first cod setup covers rods, reels and line for anyone starting from scratch.
05Handle fish like they matter
The slot limit does its job only if released fish swim away strong. Keep the fish in the water where possible, support it horizontally with wet hands, and keep photos quick. Post-spawn fish in warming water tire quickly, so give a big fish time against the current before letting go. More on the species in our Murray cod guide.
06Make a weekend of it
The bakery opens early enough for a pre-dawn pie run, and the brewery covers dinner when you get off the water. See eat and drink for the detail.
For beds, compare where to stay in Nagambie and the caravan parks guide, and book early for the first weekend. If half your crew would rather be at a cellar door than on the water at 5am, point them at while they're fishing.
07Common questions
When does Murray cod season open in Victoria? The season opens on 1 December each year, after a closed season that runs from 1 September to 30 November inclusive. In 2026, opening day falls on a Tuesday, so the first weekend of the season is 5 and 6 December.
Can you fish Lake Nagambie during the cod closed season? Yes. The closure applies to Murray cod, not the water. Golden perch, redfin and other species are open right through spring, but you cannot target cod, and any cod hooked accidentally must be released immediately.
What size Murray cod can you keep? Between 55 and 75 centimetres. Anything outside that slot goes back, which protects both the young fish and the big breeders. Bag limits differ by water, so check the VFA Murray cod page before you keep a fish.
Is Lake Nagambie open for cod all year like Lake Eildon? No. A handful of Victorian waters, including Lake Eildon, are exempt from the closed season. Lake Nagambie and the Goulburn River are not, so cod are off limits until 1 December.
Do I need a fishing licence? Most adults need a current Victorian fishing licence, with exemptions for kids, seniors and some concession holders. See our licence and rules guide for the detail.