North of the Great Dividing Range, crayfish are able to be caught during a three-month open season.
Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said catching Murray crays was a fun activity for the whole family and could be as simple as dangling a piece of meat on a string into a river or lake.
"Murray crays are a delicious treat sought by many and a fantastic way to get the kids off screens, active and outdoors in the crisp winter air,” Mr Dowling said.
“Cray season is often a time when friends and family rug up, camp together by a waterway for a weekend, enjoy a warm fire, tell a few stories and catch a meal to share.”
One of Victoria’s most popular catchments in which to go Murray cray fishing is the Goulburn, in the river above Lake Eildon, in the lake itself, and downstream through Seymour and Nagambie to Shepparton.
“The Ovens and Kiewa rivers are productive waters for Murray crays too, along with Waranga Basin,” Mr Dowling said.
VRFish chair Rob Loats said chasing a feed of Murray crays in Victorian rivers was a great way to spend a winter’s day, checking hoop nets or open-top lift nets from a tinnie, in between warming up by a campfire and spending quality time with loved ones in the great outdoors.
To stay up to date with Murray cray size and bag limits, and permitted equipment, get hold of a free Recreational Fishing Guide from your local tackle shop or jump online and check it out at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide
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