Murray River Fishing And Boating From Ulupna: Rules, Ramps And Paddles
At Ulupna the Murray is not a view you drive to. It runs past the bottom of the lawn. This stretch comes with rules that catch visitors out: it is NSW water even though you are standing in Victoria, part of it upstream is closed to all fishing until December, Murray cod are off limits for now, and spring flows are still high. This guide covers licences, what you can catch right now, the closest boat ramps, paddling, swimming and the checks to make before anyone gets wet.
Key Takeaway
The Murray River is NSW water, so NSW fishing and boating rules apply even from the Victorian bank at Ulupna. Murray cod are closed until 30 November and reopen on 1 December. Golden perch, redfin, carp and yabbies are fair game with a NSW licence, and the paddling season is starting. Check Parks Victoria alerts and live river levels before every outing this spring.
Before Anyone Goes Near The Water
Three checks do most of the work for a group heading onto the river.
1Licence: Every angler aged 18 or over needs a NSW recreational fishing licence for the Murray.
2Closures: Check the cod closure and the Yarrawonga to Tocumwal all-fishing closure before choosing a spot.
3Conditions: Look at the Parks Victoria alert, live river levels and the weather before launching or swimming.
Three Ways To Use The River
A good Ulupna river weekend usually mixes one early outing, one slow afternoon and one evening by the water.
1Fish: Golden perch and redfin from the bank or a boat, with cod saved for December.
2Paddle: A kayak or canoe on a calm morning, starting upstream so you come home with the current.
3Cool off: A careful paddle at the edge of a sandy beach once the water warms, with an adult watching.
Why The River Is The Point Of Staying At Ulupna
Ulupna sits on the Victorian side of the Murray between Strathmerton and the Barmah forest, a short drive downstream of Tocumwal and Cobram. The river here winds through red gum country, with Ulupna Island's sandy beaches on the bends and long stretches of snag-lined water between them.
This stretch has a real fishing pedigree. The Victorian Fisheries Authority's inland angling guide describes Murray cod here averaging around 3kg with some exceeding 30kg, plus golden perch, redfin and carp. It also notes that trout cod, a threatened species, are now abundant between Yarrawonga and Tocumwal.
At Ulupna the Murray is the main attraction, and the rules and safety checks are what let you enjoy it properly.
Whose Rules Apply: NSW Water, Victorian Bank
This is the point that trips up most visitors. The border sits on the Victorian bank, so the river itself belongs to New South Wales. The Victorian Fisheries Authority is blunt about it: the Murray River is all NSW water and NSW regulations apply, and a NSW fishing licence is required when fishing in the river even if the angler is standing on the Victorian bank.
A Victorian recreational fishing licence is not valid in the Murray River, except on Lake Hume. So even if everyone in the group holds a Victorian licence, the anglers still need a NSW one for a weekend at Ulupna.
Creeks, lagoons and backwaters on the Victorian side are a different matter. Waters inside Victoria generally follow Victorian rules, which are not identical: for example, Victoria's Murray cod bag limit in rivers is one fish, while NSW allows two. If you plan to fish a creek or billabong in the forest rather than the main river, check with the Victorian Fisheries Authority which rules and licence cover that exact spot.
Getting A NSW Fishing Licence For The Weekend
The NSW recreational fishing fee is cheap and quick to sort out. When we checked in September 2026, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development listed the fees as $7 for three days, $14 for one month, $35 for one year and $85 for three years.
Service NSW says you need a licence if you are aged 18 or over. Children under 18 do not need one. Other exemptions exist, so check the NSW exemptions page if one might apply.
You can buy a licence online through Service NSW, through the automated payment line on 1300 369 365, from licence agents or at a Service NSW Centre. Your receipt must be carried while fishing, so save it on your phone before you head down to the water where mobile reception may be patchy.
Murray Cod: Closed Now, Opening 1 December
Murray cod are the fish most people picture on this river, and right now they are off limits. Both states close the species from 1 September to 30 November every year to protect cod while they breed. NSW DPIRD describes the closure as a vital conservation measure during the spawning period. Cod cannot be taken from inland waters during these three months, apart from two NSW dams far from the Murray.
The season reopens on 1 December. Under the NSW rules that apply in the Murray, NSW DPIRD's January 2026 bag and size table lists a slot of 55cm to 75cm, a daily bag limit of two and a possession limit of four. Cod smaller than 55cm or bigger than 75cm must be carefully released.
Rules as found in September 2026Bag, size and season rules are reviewed from time to time. Check the NSW DPIRD freshwater bag and size limits page before every trip, and the Victorian Fisheries Authority for any Victorian waters.
The Yarrawonga To Tocumwal Closure You Need To Know About
There is a second, stricter closure that matters if you head upstream towards town. NSW DPIRD's summary of freshwater closures states that all fishing is prohibited in the Murray River and its tributaries between Yarrawonga Weir and the Tocumwal road bridge from September to November, to protect breeding trout cod populations.
This is not just a cod rule. It means no fishing at all for any species on that stretch until 1 December, which takes in the river at Cobram and Barooga and runs down to the Newell Highway bridge at Tocumwal. NSW DPIRD publishes a closed-waters map for the Yarrawonga Weir to Tocumwal section; check it if you are unsure which side of the boundary you are on.
Ulupna is downstream of the Tocumwal bridge, so the river off Ulupna Island is outside this particular closure. Golden perch, redfin, carp and yabbies can be fished there now, while cod remain closed. The practical upshot is simple: this spring, fish downstream around Ulupna and use Cobram and Tocumwal for swimming, picnics, paddling and coffee.
Trout cod themselves are protected all year. The Victorian Fisheries Authority notes that possession of trout cod is prohibited and any caught must be returned to the water alive. Learn to tell them apart from Murray cod before you go.
What You Can Catch At Ulupna This Spring
With cod closed, spring fishing around Ulupna is about the other residents of the river. All of the limits below are NSW rules for the Murray, taken from NSW DPIRD's freshwater bag and size limits page (dated January 2026) when we checked in September 2026.
Golden perch (yellowbelly)
Open all year. Daily bag limit five, possession limit ten. Check the current size limit before keeping one. They are the main spring target once the water starts to warm.
Yabbies
Open all year, bag and possession limit 200. Yabby traps are banned in NSW inland waters; use up to five hoop or lift nets instead.
Redfin and carp
Both are introduced species and both live in this reach. They make good practice for younger anglers while the cod are resting.
Hands off
Trout cod must be released alive. The VFA also notes silver perch and freshwater catfish are protected in the Murray River and may not be taken.
Murray crayfish are worth a separate note because the rule here is stricter than many visitors expect. NSW DPIRD says they can only be taken between 1 June and 31 August, and only in designated sections: on the Murray, that section runs from below Hume Weir near Albury down to the Newell Highway road bridge at Tocumwal. Ulupna is downstream of that bridge, so Murray crayfish cannot be kept here at any time of year. Any that turn up in a yabby net go straight back.
The method rules matter as much as the limits. NSW allows two attended lines per person in inland waters, with no more than two hooks per line. An attended line has to be within 50 metres of you and in your sight. Set lines and drop lines are not permitted. Leaving rods propped on the bank while everyone goes up to the house for lunch breaks the rules.
Where To Fish Close To Bob's River House
The listing for Bob's River House describes absolute Murray River frontage with direct river access, which means the first cast of the weekend can be a short walk from the verandah. The jetty is not currently available for guest use, so fish from the bank.
Beyond the property, the nearest public river spots are on Ulupna Island. The listing puts Point Beach about 5 minutes away by car and Carters Beach about 6 minutes, with Ulupna Beach about 13 minutes.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority's notes on this reach are useful for choosing where and when to fish. It says there is an abundance of snags downstream of Yarrawonga, that the best fishing is from a boat which lets you reach midwater snags and troll lures, and that fish tend to rest close to snags. It also suggests the best fishing comes during a period of stable flow after a rise in the river.
Boat Ramps Near Ulupna
The listing notes that the jetty at Bob's River House is not currently available for guest use, so anyone bringing a boat should plan to launch from a public ramp and bring the trailer back to the property. Parking at the house is listed for up to 12 cars; check with the host before arrival if you plan to bring a boat and trailer.
Tocumwal Foreshore Park
Berrigan Shire Council says the boat ramp is next to the foreshore park, which runs from the Newell and Deniliquin Road intersection to Murray Street. It is listed as a single-lane concrete ramp on Deniliquin Road. Tocumwal is about 23 minutes from Ulupna.
Thompsons Beach, Cobram
Cobram's riverside ramp, about 19 minutes away. Local anglers told the Cobram Courier in September 2024 that a 60cm drop-off made it close to unusable at low water. Check its current condition locally before towing a big boat there.
Barmah National Park ramps
Parks Victoria lists Tongalong Boat Ramp, Rices Bridge Boat Ramp and Crawfords Boat Ramp in the park downstream. During flood alerts, access tracks may be closed, so check the park page first.
Until 30 November, Cobram's ramp sits inside the Yarrawonga to Tocumwal all-fishing closure, and the Tocumwal foreshore ramp is right beside its downstream boundary at the road bridge. You can launch and head downstream, but check the NSW closed-waters map and do not fish until you are clearly below the Tocumwal road bridge.
Boating Rules On A NSW River
Because NSW law applies on the Murray, skippers from Victoria need to follow NSW boating rules even when they launch from a Victorian bank. Transport for NSW publishes a side-by-side sheet, Get To Know Your Interstate Boating Rules for NSW and Victoria. The version we found is dated November 2018, so check the current Transport for NSW rules as well. Its key NSW points include:
1Children and lifejackets: Children under 12 must wear a lifejacket at all times on vessels under 4.8 metres, and in open areas of vessels under 8 metres while underway.
2Distance off: At six knots or more, keep at least 30 metres from other vessels, structures and the shore, and at least 60 metres from people in the water.
3Towing: The observer for a skier or wakeboarder must be licensed or at least 16.
4Jet skis: A PWC licence is required and PWC use is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.
5Alcohol: The limit is 0.05 for skippers aged 18 and over and zero for those under 18.
Transport for NSW's equipment checklist says powered boats up to 6 metres on inland waters must carry a lifejacket for each person, an anchor with chain or line, a bailer or bucket with lanyard, a fire extinguisher, a sound signal and a waterproof torch. Check the licence requirements for driving a powered vessel in NSW waters before you go, especially if your licence was issued in another state.
Kayaking And Canoeing From The Property
A quiet paddle is one of the nicest ways to see this part of the Murray. Mornings are often still, the red gums lean over the water, and you will hear far more birds from a kayak than from the bank.
NSW lifejacket rules apply to kayaks and canoes on the Murray. Transport for NSW says people in canoes and kayaks on enclosed waters must wear a lifejacket, Level 50S or above, when paddling alone, when there are children under 12 on board, and at night between sunset and sunrise. Paddlecraft must carry a lifejacket for each person, plus a waterproof torch after dark. For stand-up paddleboards, a lifejacket is recommended rather than required.
The most useful river-paddling habit is to go upstream first. Work against the current while you are fresh, then let the river bring you home. After a wet spring the current can be stronger than it looks, so keep the first trip short.
Keep well clear of snags and fallen trees. Moving water pushes a boat and paddler against them, and that is where most serious river incidents start. If you do capsize, stay upstream of your boat and float feet first until you can reach the bank.
No kayaks of your own?Murray SUP, based in Tocumwal, hires stand-up paddleboards and canoes, including safety gear and a free lesson with each booking, according to Visit NSW. It services the area from Barooga through to Mathoura on request. Berrigan Shire also notes paddleboard and canoe hire at the Tocumwal foreshore. Contact the operator directly for prices and availability. Confident paddlers can also look at Visit the Murray's marked canoe trails through the Barmah forest downstream, best from September to April and only when park alerts and river levels allow.
Swimming In The Murray: Where, When And How
A swim off a sandy Murray beach is a summer ritual, but in late September and October it is more of a toe-dip. The water is still cold and spring flows are fast. Keep swims short, supervised and close to the edge until the river settles.
For families who want facilities, the town beaches are easier. Moira Shire lists Thompsons Beach in Cobram with toilets, parking, barbecues, picnic tables, seating, a foot shower and a playground among the trees beside the beach. Tocumwal's foreshore park has a playground, toilets, barbecues, shade and a splash park, and Visit NSW notes 24 riverside beaches close to town.
Life Saving Victoria's inland waterway advice fits the Murray well. It warns that water in rivers can be cold enough to cause cold water shock or hypothermia, that poor visibility hides snags, rocks and trees, and that conditions can change hourly with the current. Its message is to swim with a mate, supervise children at all times in, on or around water, and avoid alcohol around water.
Never dive or jump inThe Murray is murky. A sandy bottom can drop away suddenly and a log can sit just below the surface. Walk in slowly, feet first, every time.
River Levels And Park Alerts This Spring
Spring 2026 has brought high water here. When we checked on 24 September 2026, the main Barmah National Park page carried a flood alert headed "Barmah national park closed areas", with an access map dated 17 September 2026. It listed Ulupna Island sites as open, including Carters, Labbets, Doctors, Point, Wide, Long, Brean's and Forest beaches and The Junction camping area.
A newer update on Parks Victoria's Ulupna Beach camping area page, dated 24 September 2026, said most tracks and visitor sites in Barmah National Park, the Proposed Murray River Park and Tocumwal Regional Park were now open. However, some areas remained inaccessible to motorised vehicles, river levels were still high, and more areas could close or become inaccessible at any time. That page recommends a four-wheel drive and warns that water crossings may be needed.
Dog rules differ between sites. Parks Victoria's Ulupna Beach page says dogs are not allowed, while its Carters Beach camping area page, which places Carters Beach in Tocumwal Regional Park, says dogs are allowed on a leash. Check the page for the exact site you plan to visit.
Before each river day, check the Parks Victoria page for your site, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's live river data for Tocumwal and Bureau of Meteorology warnings. If a track is closed or under water, turn around.
Water Safety For A Group Of Twelve
The listing notes that the property's outdoor areas are not fenced and the lawns run towards the river, so the water is always close.
Agree a few house rules on the first afternoon. Nobody goes to the water alone. Young children only go down with a named adult watching them, not just "someone". Lifejackets go down to the water with the paddlers rather than staying in the car. Drinks stay on the verandah and around the fire pit, well back from the bank and the boat.
Anyone heading out in a boat or kayak tells someone at the house where they are going and when they will be back. In an emergency, call 000.
The best river weekends here have one simple rule everyone agrees to: nobody goes to the water alone.
Why Bob's River House Suits A Fishing And Paddling Weekend
Bob's River House puts a group right on the water. The listing describes absolute Murray River frontage with direct river access, on approximately 6.5 hectares with established lawns extending towards the river and mature trees throughout. For anglers and paddlers, that means an early start is a walk across the lawn rather than a drive.
The outdoor setup suits a river trip well. The listing mentions a river-facing verandah with elevated water views, an outdoor dining area seating 12, a barbecue, and a fire pit near the river with a waterside picnic table seating up to 8.
The main house and the separate unit each have their own laundry, handy for wet towels and fishing clothes. Heating and cooling are listed throughout, along with a wood fire in the open-plan living area for cooler spring nights. Parking is listed for up to 12 cars.
Point Beach and Carters Beach on Ulupna Island are about 5 and 6 minutes away by car, and Tocumwal's foreshore and boat ramp about 23 minutes. Note that the jetty is not currently available for guest use, so boats launch from a public ramp.
About this stay
Where Bob's River House fits a weekend on the water
Bob's River House has absolute Murray River frontage with direct river access, so anglers and paddlers can start the day with a walk across the lawn. Point Beach and Carters Beach on Ulupna Island are about 5 and 6 minutes away by car, and the Tocumwal boat ramp about 23 minutes.
After the river, the group comes back to a river-facing verandah, outdoor dining for 12, a barbecue and a fire pit by the water. The main house and separate unit sleep 12 and each has its own laundry for wet gear.
The listing describes a main house and a separate unit, comfortably sleeping 12 people. The main house has two queen beds and two bunks, each with a double on the bottom and a single on top. The unit has a queen bed and a pull-out sofa bed for two. That split works naturally for a fishing weekend: early risers in one building, later sleepers in the other.
A typical pattern is for the anglers to be on the bank or at the boat ramp at first light while the rest of the group has a slower breakfast. Everyone meets for lunch on the verandah, the afternoon splits between a paddle, a nap and a trip into Tocumwal or Cobram, and the evening is barbecue, fire pit and fish stories.
A Three-Day River Itinerary From Ulupna
Day One: Arrive And Read The River
Walk down to the water before anyone unpacks the rods and look at the current, the snags and how the bank shelves. Check the park alert and river level, then agree the house water rules. Barbecue on the verandah and an early night around the fire pit.
Day Two: Fish Early, Paddle Late
Anglers out at first light for golden perch, either from the property's bank or at Point Beach or Carters Beach. After breakfast, drive to Tocumwal for coffee, a look at the Big Murray Cod on the foreshore and a family session at the playground or splash park. Paddle upstream from the property in the late afternoon when the wind drops, then drift home.
Day Three: Beach Morning, Easy Exit
Pack a picnic and spend the morning on one of the open Ulupna Island beaches, or at Thompsons Beach in Cobram if the group wants toilets and a playground. Clean and dry the gear, rinse boats and paddles, and leave the fire pit cold and the riverbank clean.
What To Pack For A River Weekend At Ulupna
Start with the safety gear. Bring a properly fitting lifejacket for every paddler and every child, rated Level 50S or above for kayaks and canoes. Pack a waterproof torch if anyone might be on the water near dusk, and a dry bag for phones and keys.
For fishing, bring light to medium spin gear for golden perch and redfin, a landing net, pliers for quick releases and a bucket. For yabbies, pack hoop or lift nets, not enclosed traps. Take a small bin bag for used line and hooks, and a printed or saved copy of your NSW licence receipt.
Pack old sneakers or water shoes for muddy banks, a warm layer for spring evenings, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent for dusk by the water.
Linen and towels are supplied at the property, according to the listing, but bring extra old towels for the riverbank and for drying boats, paddles and gear.
Before You Launch: Your River Check
1Licence: NSW recreational fishing licence for every angler aged 18 or over, with the receipt on hand.
2Closures: Murray cod closed until 30 November; all fishing closed from Yarrawonga Weir to the Tocumwal road bridge until then.
3Park access: Check the Parks Victoria page for Barmah National Park and the specific Ulupna Island site you plan to use.
4River level: Look at live river data for Tocumwal and any Bureau of Meteorology flood or weather warnings.
5Boat and paddle gear: Lifejackets for everyone, NSW safety equipment on board and the right licence for the skipper.
6Group rules: Nobody goes to the water alone, a named adult watches children, and drinks stay away from the bank.
FAQs About Fishing And Boating On The Murray At Ulupna
Do I need a NSW or Victorian fishing licence for the Murray River?
A NSW licence. The Victorian Fisheries Authority says the Murray River is all NSW water, NSW regulations apply, and a NSW fishing licence is needed even if you are standing on the Victorian bank. A Victorian licence is not valid in the Murray River except on Lake Hume.
When does Murray cod season open?
Murray cod are closed from 1 September to 30 November each year in both NSW and Victoria, and the season reopens on 1 December. In the Murray, NSW rules apply: a 55cm to 75cm slot, a daily bag limit of two and a possession limit of four, as found in September 2026.
Can I fish at Cobram or Tocumwal in October?
Not in the main river. NSW DPIRD says all fishing is prohibited in the Murray River and its tributaries between Yarrawonga Weir and the Tocumwal road bridge from September to November to protect breeding trout cod. Fishing for species other than cod is permitted downstream of the Tocumwal bridge, including around Ulupna, with a NSW licence.
What fish can I catch at Ulupna in spring?
Golden perch, redfin, carp and yabbies while cod are closed. NSW DPIRD lists golden perch as open all year with a bag limit of five, and yabbies with a bag limit of 200. Trout cod must be released alive. Murray crayfish cannot be kept downstream of the Tocumwal bridge.
Where is the nearest boat ramp to Ulupna?
The Tocumwal Foreshore Park ramp on Deniliquin Road, managed by Berrigan Shire Council, is about 23 minutes from Ulupna. Cobram's Thompsons Beach ramp is about 19 minutes away but has been reported as hard to use at low water. Check conditions before towing.
Do kayakers need to wear a lifejacket on the Murray?
Under NSW rules, people in canoes and kayaks on enclosed waters must wear a Level 50S lifejacket or above when paddling alone, with children under 12 on board, or at night. For a river with current and snags, wearing one every time is the sensible choice.
Is it safe to swim in the Murray River in spring?
Keep spring swims short, supervised and close to the edge. The water is cold, flows are often high and Parks Victoria warns of fast currents and submerged objects. Never dive or jump in, and save longer swims for summer.
Are the Ulupna Island beaches open after the spring floods?
When we checked on 24 September 2026, Parks Victoria listed the main Ulupna Island beaches, including Point Beach and Carters Beach, as open. A newer update said most sites had reopened but some remained inaccessible to vehicles and more could close at any time. Check the Parks Victoria site page before you go.
Does Bob's River House have river access for fishing and kayaking?
The listing describes absolute Murray River frontage with direct river access from the property. The jetty is not currently available for guest use and the grounds are not fenced. Check the live listing for current details.
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