Easter Weekend on the Murrumbidgee River – Shrimp, Campfires, and Family Fun

There’s something special about Easter weekend – the crisp autumn air, golden sunsets, and time spent outdoors with family. This year, we packed up the camping gear and headed to the Murrumbidgee River near Wagga Wagga, right in the heart of the Riverina. With the tinny loaded, rods packed, and our trusty yabby net (aka “Doug”) in tow, we were set for a proper bush escape.

Shrimping Made Easy with “Doug” the Yabby Net

One of the highlights of the trip was catching live freshwater shrimp – and it couldn’t have been easier. Using the Bait Bomb in combination with “Doug,” our foldable yabby net, we dropped into calm, protected spots along the riverbank, especially around snags and submerged timber where shrimp love to hide.

If you’re new to catching shrimp for bait, here’s a tip: freshwater shrimp love structure. Think still water, weed beds, logs, and undercut banks – anywhere they can find a bit of cover. We baited the Bomb with a bit of meat offcut, tossed it into a quiet corner, and within 10–15 minutes we had wriggling shrimp ready to go.

The kids had a blast checking the nets, and we were all surprised at how simple and effective it was. Live bait like this can make a real difference when fishing the river, especially when chasing golden perch or Murray cod.

Large Shrimp - Excellent for Bait

Fishing, Campfires, and Relaxation

While the shrimp catching was the star of the show, we also wet a line with a few solid hits and plenty of laughs. The Murrumbidgee really turns it on this time of year – the water’s still warm, the banks are green, and the evenings are perfect for sitting around the campfire.

We cooked up some great camp food, shared a few yarns, and just enjoyed being off-grid. With no phone reception and no distractions, it was the kind of weekend that resets the soul.

If you’re heading out to the Riverina, don’t forget your yabby net and bait bomb – shrimping is fun for the whole family and makes your fishing game that much better.

Until next time – stay wild and keep exploring.

Yabby Net - Catching Shrimp

– BCK Outdoors