Freshwater Catfish
The freshwater catfish is a native Australian species with a long history as a table fish across eastern Australia.
Once widespread through the Murray-Darling Basin and coastal rivers from Queensland to New South Wales, populations have declined sharply since the 1980s.
Today it's still a legitimate target in Queensland coastal catchments and parts of NSW, but anglers need to know the rules before they fish — particularly in Victoria, where it's endangered.
Scientific Name: Tandanus tandanus
Also known as Eel-tailed catfish, tandan, dewfish, jewfish, cattie, kenaru
- Smooth, scaleless skin; olive-green to brown, black or purplish on the back, white underneath — juveniles show dark brown to black mottling that fades with age.
- The body tapers into a continuous, pointed eel-like tail — the feature that separates it from any other Australian freshwater fish at a glance.
- Four pairs of barbels ring the downturned, fleshy-lipped mouth; sharp serrated spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins are venomous — handle carefully.
- Commonly caught around 45 cm and 1.5–2 kg; fish to 90 cm and nearly 7 kg have been recorded, though anything over 4 kg is a serious specimen.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Australia — endemic to the Murray-Darling Basin and coastal drainages from northern Queensland south to central NSW, including Fraser Island and North Stradbroke Island waters.
- Introduced populations exist in several Victorian river systems (Glenelg, Werribee, Yarra, La Trobe) and in NSW coastal catchments between the Great Lakes and the Shoalhaven — outside the natural range.
- Remains relatively common in parts of the Macquarie, Namoi, Gwydir and Border River catchments in NSW, and in coastal catchments north of Newcastle; Queensland coastal rivers also hold good numbers.
- Prefers slow-moving or still water — lowland rivers, lakes, farm dams and impoundments with sandy or gravel bottoms and fringing vegetation; more abundant in lakes than in flowing water.
Key Locations
- Macquarie, Namoi, Gwydir and Border River catchments (NSW) — among the more reliable Murray-Darling Basin locations where populations remain relatively intact.
- Coastal catchments north of Newcastle, NSW — healthy populations persist in several rivers in this region.
- Queensland coastal rivers, including waters around the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane region — catfish are still regularly encountered here.
- Wimmera River and its tributaries (Victoria) — the only Victorian waters where legal take is permitted; fish were introduced here rather than being native.
Specific Spots
- Fallen timber and submerged snags on the bottom — catfish rest tight to structure during the day and use it as a base for nighttime feeding.
- Deeper holes and channel bends in slow rivers, where the current slows and organic matter settles — this is where food concentrates and catfish hold.
- Weed bed edges and sandy flats adjacent to deeper water; catfish cruise these margins after dark, working the bottom for invertebrates.
- Dam walls and rocky points in impoundments, especially where gravel or sand meets structure — catfish build nests on gravel during spawning and linger in these areas.
Freshwater Catfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Freshwater Catfish?
Worms, yabbies (freshwater crayfish) and shrimp are the go-to natural baits, fished on the bottom at night near structure, they consistently outperform everything else. Chicken liver, beef heart and other strong-smelling baits work well because catfish locate food largely by scent in low-light conditions.
When is the best time to fish for Freshwater Catfish?
Spring and early summer (September–December), warming water triggers increased feeding activity and fish move more actively ahead of spawning. Summer nights (December–February), peak feeding period; warm water and darkness bring catfish onto shallow flats and weed edges.
How do you catch Freshwater Catfish?
Most anglers fish for catfish at night from the bank or a boat anchored near structure, presenting natural baits on the bottom with a running sinker rig.
What do Freshwater Catfish eat?
Bottom-dwelling invertebrates make up the bulk of the diet, freshwater crayfish (yabbies), shrimp, worms, insect larvae and molluscs. Bottom-bounced baits like worms, yabbies and shrimp directly imitate this forage and are the most reliable approach.
Where do Freshwater Catfish live?
Native to Australia, endemic to the Murray-Darling Basin and coastal drainages from northern Queensland south to central NSW, including Fraser Island and North Stradbroke Island waters.
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