$20,000 Lake Mac fishing comp set to hook anglers

Amateur anglers are set to reel in more than $20,000 in prizes next month as the inaugural Let’s Fish Lake Mac competition gets underway.

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Keen fishers will have from 7am Friday 13 November to 2pm Sunday 15 November to catch, photograph and release prize specimens throughout the lake and along the City’s beaches in Lake Mac’s first major event since COVID-19.

Prize packs worth up to $1000 are on offer in the Council-backed event across senior and junior categories covering four target fish species: bream, flathead, tailor and whiting. Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said the event encouraged people to get outdoors and enjoy the sparkling blue centrepiece of our City.

“Fishing is one of the most popular recreational pursuits in Lake Macquarie, and the ongoing rehabilitation of the lake makes it an even more enjoyable and rewarding experience,” Cr Fraser said.

Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the competition was strictly catch-and-release, with prizes only awarded for fish that are still alive when photographed.

“Let’s Fish Lake Mac is all about getting out there and giving it a go while respecting the environment and our waterways,” she said.

Participants will receive a ‘brag mat’ on which to place their catch, showing its size. Each entrant will also receive a unique code word activated for the weekend to ensure the photographs they enter were taken only during the event period.

Event Director Michael Guest, from Reel Action TV, said Lake Macquarie was “a fantastic place to come and relax and get stuck into some seriously good fishing”.

“Let’s Fish Lake Mac is a tremendous initiative by Lake Macquarie City Council and I’m keen to see serious anglers, families and mates all fishing for $21,000 in prizes over the three days,” he said.

Entry is $20 per person, with all participants in the running to win one of two $1000 prize packs or one of two $500 prize packs from Berkley/ABU Garcia, just for entering.

In the senior category, prizes are also on offer ranging from $1000 to $300 fishing packs for the longest fish caught and fish closest to an undisclosed ‘mystery length’. Prize packs range from $800 to $200 in the junior category.

Mr Guest said all entrants over 18 must have a NSW Fishing Licence, as per NSW Government legislation.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing photos from the competition,” he said.

“Lake Macquarie is in such great shape and it’s the perfect time of year to wet a line.” For further information and to register for the event, go to letsfishlakemac.com.au.