After Murray cod and cray seasons have come to a halt, footy finals and the Deni Ute Muster are at the forefront of most bush anglers’ minds at this time of year.

Until December 1 the targeting of Murray cod is not permitted while the Murray crays are off limits until next June. For anyone that does encounter a cod over the next couple of months, it should release unharmed as quickly as possible.

The best local anglers could hope for over the next month is a good dose of sunshine to bring on a run of Spring yellas.

The top end of Lake Mulwala, around Bundalong, where you find a little more current, is traditionally more productive than the open waters of the lake itself.

To minimise cod encounters while targeting yellas, use lures less than 80mm long. If fishing the waters of north east Victoria in search of a yellowbelly or two, keep in mind the Murray River below Yarrawonga downstream to Tocumwal is totally closed to all forms of fishing for this period also.

The last month of the cod season proved to be tough with high water flows coming into Lake Mulwala via the Ovens River resembling chocolate milk.

Brad Pepper landed two standout cod measuring 101cm and 105cm. These two fell victim to his finely tuned trolling techniques. A few quick photos and both were released to fight another day.

Chris Hudynski visited Mulwala and put in a solid few days fishing below the weir for four cod to 57cm, seven yellas to 50cm, two trout cod and seven legal size crays, a great effort for fishing during tough times.

Coming up on October 26 is the popular Golden Do$$ars fishing competition, an event designed to target golden perch. Entry forms are now available for this and the Cod Classic, which promises to be huge and shouldn’t be missed.

Chris Hudynski with 50cm yella taken just as the cod season closed.