Marron are big freshwater crayfish from the south-west of WA, and they’re one of the most prized freshwater catches going. They’re not a fish, but plenty of Aussie anglers chase them for a feed because they fight hard for their size and taste unreal.
In Australia, marron are mainly found in rivers, streams, dams and forest impoundments in south-west Western Australia. They like clean, cool freshwater with plenty of timber, weed beds, undercut banks and rocky cover where they can hide during the day.
Marron are scavengers and opportunistic feeders, picking at plant matter, algae, insects, snails and bits of dead stuff on the bottom. They do most of their moving and feeding after dark, slowly working along snags, weed edges and muddy or gravelly bottoms.
Tide timing does not matter for marron because they live in freshwater, so that score is basically irrelevant. Low light is a big plus, with dusk, night and overcast conditions usually getting them moving and feeding more freely. Light winds can help by keeping the surface quiet and making bait placement easier, but strong wind can dirty the water and make checking drop nets or snares a pain. Swell height also does not apply in freshwater, though rising water and a bit of flow after rain can sometimes switch them on if the system stays clear enough.
Most anglers target marron with baited drop nets, snares or simple handlines around timber, weed edges and deeper holes. Fish baits, chicken, liver and other oily baits all get attention, and it pays to set close to cover and check regularly because marron often grab the bait and sit tight.
Marron can regrow lost claws and legs over time, which is handy when they’ve had a rough encounter in the snags.