Fishing Mannum
The river environment is defined by steep clay cliffs, fallen red gum logs, and deep clay holes that host healthy populations of Murray Cod and Golden Perch. Warm spring weather triggers active Golden Perch runs as water temperatures rise, while summer and autumn provide prime river conditions for Murray Cod. Anglers need to respect the annual Murray Cod breeding closure from September 1 to November 30 across all river reaches.
Land-based fishers can work miles of public riverfront at Mary Ann Reserve, ferry crossing banks, and parkland bends. Setting up bank rod stands with fresh scrub worms or yabbies in deep clay holes produces steady catches of Golden Perch and Silver Perch. Walking the steep timbered banks casting spinnerbaits or hardbodies close to fallen logs yields aggressive Murray Cod strikes.
Boaters launching from Mannum Mary Ann Reserve Boat Ramp can explore winding river channels away from town. Trolling deep-diving hardbodies close to steep timbered outer bends is the standard method for pinning big river cod. Electric trolling motors allow anglers to stealthily hold position while casting soft plastics and spinnerbaits directly into heavy timber laydowns.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- MARY ANN RESERVE RIVERBANK: Expansive public riverfront park in central Mannum offering accessible grassy banks and deep water bends. Cast running sinker rigs baited with fresh yabbies or scrub worms into deep clay drop-offs for Golden Perch. Early morning sessions before paddlesteamer and ski traffic increases deliver peaceful fishing and active bites.
- MANNUM FERRY CROSSING BANKS: Deep clay banks flanking the vehicle ferry route where river current concentrates. Drop live freshwater shrimp or yabbies straight down beside clay ledges for Golden Perch and Silver Perch. Rising water levels and flow activate feeding runs close to the bank.
- HAY HAY BEND FORESHORE: Secluded river bend featuring steep clay cliffs and fallen red gum timber. Walk the bank casting 100mm hardbody lures or surface plugs parallel to submerged logs at dusk for Murray Cod. Sturdy footwear and caution are required when walking steep clay slopes.
- PUMPING STATION POOL: Deep river pool near the water intake structure holding heavy submerged snags. Drop live freshwater shrimp or earthworms straight down beside submerged log laydowns for Golden Perch and Redfin. High water flow brings fish tight against the structure to ambush moving bait.
- BOWHILL ROAD RIVER RESERVE: Quiet rural riverbank reserve north of town offering uncrowded bank casting. Set up rod stands and fish ledger rigs loaded with earthworms or sweetcorn for European Carp and Golden Perch. Great family-friendly location offering easy foot access and shaded banks.
Offshore
- MANNUM REACH DEEP BENDS: Deep timber-lined river bends downstream of town reaching 6 to 10 meters depth. Troll 100mm+ deep-diving wooden hardbodies close to outer timbered banks at slow idle speed for big Murray Cod. Keep your lure bumping submerged logs occasionally to trigger reaction strikes.
- CALOOTE BENDS TIMBER LAYDOWNS: Massive red gum trunks resting in deep water along the outer river channel. Position your boat up-current using an electric motor anchor-lock and pitch 5/8oz spinnerbaits or 120mm soft plastics into the timber heart. Allow your lure to sink deep into the snag structure before starting a slow retrieve.
- YOUNGHUSBAND SHELTERED LAGOONS: Backwater lagoon network offering calm water away from main river currents. Drift slowly using an electric motor casting soft vibes or spinnerbaits into timber gaps for Golden Perch. Vertical jigging live shrimp along heavy stump bases yields consistent feeds of perch.
- PURNONG DEEP CLAY HOLE: An underwater clay depression dropping to 9 meters depth near Purnong ferry. Anchor on the upstream edge of the hole and drop fresh yabbies or large scrub worms on heavy ledger rigs for Golden Perch. The deep water provides shelter for big fish during hot summer days.
- WALKER FLAT APPROACH CHANNEL: Long winding river stretch featuring steep clay drop-offs and undercut banks in 5 to 8 meters depth. Slow-troll wooden hardbodies or vertical jig heavy soft vibes along undercut clay ledges for Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Monitor your fishfinder to track bottom contours.
Hot Spots
- Mary Ann Reserve: Accessible central riverfront parkland offering prime land-based casting for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
- Mannum Reach: Deep river channel packed with massive fallen red gum laydowns holding metre-plus cod.
- Hay Hay Bend: Secluded river bend featuring steep clay cliffs and heavy timber snags for boat trolling.
- Caloote Bends: Deep outer river bends renowned for large native Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- Younghusband Lagoons: Sheltered backwater lagoon system providing world-class soft plastic casting for perch.
Local Bait Tips
- FRESHWATER SHRIMP: Collected using fine-mesh shrimp traps submerged along riverbank roots and reed beds, baited with soap or meat. Keep alive in an aerated bucket as the premier bait for river Golden Perch.
- FRESHWATER YABBIES: Harvested using legal open-top drop nets baited with meat in shallow farm dams or river backwaters. Store on damp sea-sponge or wet newspaper in a cool container. Thread through the tail for Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
- SCRUB WORMS: Dug from damp clay riverbanks and garden soil following rain. Thread whole worms onto size 6 hooks for targeting Golden Perch, Silver Perch, and Redfin around deep clay banks.
- BARDEE GRUBS: Collected from decaying gum logs and stumps along dry river flats where legally permitted. Thread whole grubs onto snelled hooks as a traditional, highly prized bait for trophy river Murray Cod.
Boat Ramps
- Mannum Mary Ann Reserve Boat Ramp:
Mannum Mary Ann Reserve Boat Ramp is located off Weber Boulevard at Mary Ann Reserve in Mannum, managed by Mid Murray Council. The high-capacity riverfront facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon, offering all-level access to the lower River Murray. Amenities include a large paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and lighting.
Bait and Tackle
- Mannum Hardware & Tackle: 48 Randell St, Mannum SA 5238 - Ph: (08) 8569 1010
- BCF Murray Bridge: 1/20-24 Maurice Rd, Murray Bridge SA 5253 - Ph: (08) 8531 3400
- OTR Mannum (24/7): 78 Adelaide Rd, Mannum SA 5238 - Ph: (08) 8569 2100
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Mannum: 1 Weber Blvd, Mannum SA 5238 - Ph: (08) 8569 1402
- Mannum Riverside Caravan Park: 1 Weber Blvd, Mannum SA 5238 - Ph: (08) 8569 1402
- Pretoria Hotel Mannum: 50 Randell St, Mannum SA 5238 - Ph: (08) 8569 1109
Emergency & Safety
- Inland Waterway (No MSAR Unit) - Search & Rescue: VMR Mannum / SAPOL: Randell St, Mannum SA 5238 - Ph: (08) 8569 1000 / Emergency 000 - UHF Ch 40
