Anglers can snag $1m in the Million Dollar Fish competition in the Northern Territory

Anglers will cast their lines in the hopes of reeling in a million dollar prize during the country’s richest fishing competition.

The Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish is returning to the Top End giving anglers the opportunity to catch the “big one” in the form of a barramundi worth $1m.

For the 10th year of Australia’s richest fishing competition, there are 10 barramundis sporting a million dollar tag.

Once the first of the million dollar fish has been caught, the remaining nine will revert to $10,000 for the remainder of the fishing season.

Fishers will also have an opportunity to catch 99 barramundis worth $10,000 that have been released across the Northern Territory’s five main fishing regions including the Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

Keegan Payne with his winning $1m catch hooked in the Katherine River last year. Picture: Instagram

Northern Territory Major Events Company acting chief executive officer, Trevor Cox, said this year’s event will mark a decade of extraordinary fishing in the NT’s stunning waters.

“Anglers from across Australia travel each year to the region to cast their luck in reeling in a red-tagged barramundi,” he said.

“Season 9 saw the first million-dollar barra caught, will someone be lucky enough to win it in Season 10?”

Mr Payne was on a fishing trip with his sisters and friend when he reeled in the fish, calling the hotline at 1am. Picture: Instagram

Last year, 19-year old Keegan Payne reeled in a 67cm barramundi from the Katherine River and scooped the $1m prize.

He was on a fishing trip with one of his sisters and a friend in the early hours of a Sunday morning when he reeled in the fish and called the hotline at 1am.

Since the competition began, hundreds of tagged barramundi have been released into waterways across the NT resulting in more than $2m in winnings to date.

Registrations are now open for the competition, which runs from October 1 until March 31 next year.

Anglers also have a chance to one of 99 red-tagged barramundis worth $10,000 each. picture Instagram

Event sponsor Sportsbet NT operations and partnership manager Thijs Bors said the return of season 10 was an exciting opportunity for anglers.

“We’re proud to support this unique competition as it reaches a decade of life-changing catches,” he said.

Cancer Council NT is this year’s charity partner, with the organisation set to receive $1000 each time a red-tagged barramundi is caught and $10,000 if someone hooks the million-dollar fish.

“Cancer Council NT is deeply honoured to be named the Million Dollar Fish charity for Season 10,” Cancer Council NT chief executive officer Tanya Izod said.

“Good luck to you all and remember … Territory anglers Slip, Slop and Slap before you go in the sun.”

Originally published as Anglers can snag $1m in the Million Dollar Fish competition in the Northern Territory