Can you fish for Murray cod at Murray Bridge?

Not at the moment. Targeting Murray cod is prohibited across the South Australian River Murray from 1 August to 31 December, and that includes trolling a lure from a moving boat, with penalties up to $20,000. Even in the open window from 1 January to 31 July it is catch and release only, because taking Murray cod is prohibited at all times in the River Murray proper and Lakes Albert and Alexandrina. Barbless hooks, barbless trebles and a knotless landing net are required when you do fish for them.

Is the wharf at Sturt Reserve open?

Partly. The new lower timber wharf opened on 7 August 2025, a $5 million replacement with a viewing platform, shelter, seating and a wet deck that the council expects to be a popular fishing spot. The adjacent heritage wharf was still closed while the council sought funding for its remediation at the last dated report in July 2024, and the covered jetty was still on the council's closed list at the last dated check in January 2024. Check the council's current notices before planning a trip around either of those two.

What can you catch at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge?

Callop, also called golden perch or yellowbelly, are the realistic target at 33 cm minimum with a bag of 5, and the winter 2026 reports named Murray Bridge, with 60 cm fish possible on this reach. European carp are what a bank angler is most likely to land, and redfin perch turn up as well. Both carp and redfin are declared noxious and must not be returned to the water. Murray cod are present but cannot be kept at any time and cannot be targeted at all until 1 January.

Do you need a fishing licence to fish the River Murray in South Australia?

No, and that covers the whole River Murray and the Lower Lakes — South Australia has no general recreational fishing licence in fresh water or salt. The one exception is reservoir fishing, which needs an SA Water permit. Size limits, bag limits and the Murray cod closure still apply regardless.

Is Sturt Reserve a good spot for kids?

Yes, and it is one of the better ones on the river. The reserve has a playground, mown lawn to the water's edge, toilets, barbecues, picnic areas and sealed parking beside it all. Carp are plentiful enough that nobody goes home blank, which matters more with children than the species list does. Keep an eye on the water, because it is deep and moving straight off a lawn with no lifeguards anywhere.

Bite Compass

Bite Forecast

Sturt Reserve (Murray Bridge)

Mon 19 Oct 2026 · Australia/Adelaide

Forecast updated 12:32pm ACDT

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19 Oct

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📍 Sturt Reserve (Murray Bridge)

first quarter · 53%

Weather: Cloudy Wind: N 13° · 26 km/h Pressure: 1016.0 hPa ↓ falling Sheltered water: wind direction matters less here

★★★☆☆

Medium Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

At the day's peak · 7:30 pm

Solunar Major window

Time of day Dusk

Wind NE 15 km/h

Moon first quarter all day

Learn how the score works →

Activity Forecast

Now

Day Timeline

Major Minor Twilight

First light 6:00 am Last light 7:56 pm

Drag or use arrow keys to explore

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

7:00 pm → 9:00 pm

Good

6:00 am → 7:30 am

1h 30m

First light

6:00 am

Last light

7:56 pm

Sunrise

6:25 am

Sunset

7:30 pm

Moonrise

12:28 pm

Moonset

2:25 am

Hourly Wind

High Bite Hours Highlighted

12am

☀️

21°

↗︎

32°

18 km/h

1am

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21°

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28°

21 km/h

2am

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21°

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28°

21 km/h

3am

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20°

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20°

19 km/h

4am

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19°

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23°

17 km/h

5am

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19°

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23°

17 km/h

6am

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19°

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27°

18 km/h

7am

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19°

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28°

20 km/h

8am

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21°

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32°

20 km/h

9am

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23°

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25°

23 km/h

10am

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25°

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17°

26 km/h

11am

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27°

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14°

27 km/h

Now

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27°

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10°

26 km/h

1pm

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28°

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13°

26 km/h

2pm

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29°

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8°

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22 km/h

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29°

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7pm

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53°

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45°

19 km/h

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14 km/h

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13 km/h

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23°

15 km/h

Wind Map

Wind data (text)

Now: 26 km/h N (13°).

Wind map data: ECMWF HRES (operational), updated every 6 hours. Not for navigation.

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

7:00 pm → 9:00 pm

Good

6:00 am → 7:30 am

1h 30m

First light

6:00 am

Last light

7:56 pm

Sunrise

6:25 am

Sunset

7:30 pm

Moonrise

12:28 pm

Moonset

2:25 am

Nearby Spots

Mary Ann Reserve (Mannum) 22.9 km

Species at This Spot