Competition for NT’s Million Dollar Fish gets heated, Brent Potter confirms

As season nine of the Million Dollar Fish winds up, the odds have increased. See how many you could reel in this weekend.

Andrew Russell caught a $10,000 fish at Woods Inlet, five kilometres away from where it was released at Cullen Bay, as part of the Million Dollar Fish season nine. Picture: Supplied

The odds for hunting the elusive Million Dollar Fish just got better.

A total of 18 barramundis have been given red tags, bringing the total number of $1m fish to 42.

From March 1, the additional red tags will activate which Major Events Minister Brent Potter said would “shake up the competition”.

“There are now multiple million-dollar tagged fish in each of the five fishing regions – Arnhem Land, Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine and the Tiwi Islands,” he said.

“With March Madness set to shake up the competition like never before, any fisho, regardless of skill, is in with a chance of reeling in a life-changing million-dollar barra.”

Million Dollar Fish winner James McWilliam.

Supported by Sportsbet, more than a million dollars has been awarded to lucky fishos since the series start in 2015, including eight anglers who reeled in a $10,000 fish during season nine.

Mr Potter said the total registrations this season had surpassed last year.

“Season 8 delivered a total expenditure stimulus of $70.8 million with 47,949 people registered and Season 9 has already hooked than 50,000 registration so far from all around Australia.”

David Anker caught an 85cm $10,000 fish during the NT Million Dollar Fish competition, 2023.

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships Manager Thijs Bors said the betting agency was thrilled to be involved in changing people’s lives.

“With the million-dollar fish a sure catch, March Madness will increase the chances like never before, which is set to excite fishos across the country.

“Million Dollar Fish is the greatest fishing comp in Australia, and we’re looking forward to seeing one lucky fisho hook the big one as part of Season 9.”

As season nine comes to a close, more announcements are expected to be made this season to increase the odds for capturing the lucrative barramundi.