Northern Territory Million Dollar Fish competitors reel in $230k

The Top End’s favourite fishing competition has wrapped up with a huge pool of cash flowing to a number of anglers.

The Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish competition has delivered a huge cash boost to anglers in the eighth year of the event - but the barra worth $1m remains elusive.

Organisers have declared it oh-fish-ally the biggest on record, with $230,000 given away to the 20 fishos who reeled in a red-tagged barramundi.

The barra were biting this season with the most winning fish caught between October 1 and March 31.

Sixteen fish were caught in the first two months of the event and then none were reeled in over December and January.

February saw one fish bagged.

The Double the Dough in March saw two barra reeled in.

The final fish was caught on March 30 when Asman from Borroloola landed a tagged barra and $10,000.

Season eight was the biggest in more ways than one, with the most people registering in the history of the competition - 47,949 compared to 38,556 the previous year.

About 55.2 per cent of competitors were from interstate.

The Million Dollar Fish competition also saw $22,000 donated to Cancer Council NT, Starlight and Shoreline.

While the season may be over for another year, registered fishos shouldn’t pack away their fishing gear just yet.

There’s still nine fish carrying tags worth $1m eligible to be caught year-round, including the season eight tagged fish with the number S8-MDF8323.

“The success of Million Dollar Fish and what it does for the Territory keeps on growing and growing,” Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said.

“Each year the competition draws thousands of people from outside of the Territory to experience fishing in the Top End, and hopefully reel in some cash, during what is normally the low season for tourism operators and businesses.”

SportsBet NT Operations and Partnerships manager Thijs Bors said season nine would see even more anglers win big.

“Million Dollar Fish is the greatest fishing comp in Australia, and we hope someone will reel in the $1 million dollar barra soon,” he said.

Originally published as Northern Territory Million Dollar Fish competitors reel in $230k