The Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) is a species of fish in the genus Maccullochella. Despite its name, it is unrelated to the North Atlantic and Pacific Cods. Growing to 249 pounds on record, it is debatably Australia's largest freshwater fish. Murray Cod were once severely fished, and the IUCN now lists them as a Critically Endangered species.
Dark Waters[]
Return of the Outback Beast[]
Jeremy Wade travels to Australia to solve a mysterious attack on a pair of divers. He feels like the Murray Cod is the only possible culprit, despite the fact that their numbers have taken a drastic tumble.
His quest for Murray Cod is brought to multiple frustrations due to the drought, and some rivers are completely dry. However, the Gwydir River is considered to be prime Murray Cod territory, and it is fed by springs, meaning that it will not be dry. Arriving at the water, however, Jeremy sees that there is not much left of the river.
Swimming in one of the pools, though, he realizes that there are plenty of hiding places even for a large fish. Fishing again, he witnesses the legendary aggression of Murray Cod. Some small fish repeatedly attack the lures even after commotion would have scared off even larger predators.
Jeremy is eventually able to hook a specimen and bring it in. While it is not large by Murray Cod standards, it is one fish that Jeremy never even hoped to catch due to the overfishing crisis.