LET'S FISH scales up to include Sunday festival
- intouch Magazine
- Nov 5, 2021
- 2 min read
Let’s Fish Lake Mac is set to make an even bigger splash this year, with a land-based festival accompanying a weekend of fishing action afloat.
The outstanding success of last year’s inaugural festival has prompted Lake Macquarie City Council to expand its horizons for 2021, setting the scene for the city’s first major event since the easing of COVID restrictions.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the 13-14 November event weekend would see anglers of all ages take to the water in a catch-and-release quest targeting four key species: bream, flathead, whiting and tailor.
“We had more than 1000 people for last year’s competition, and we’re expecting even more to sign up this time around,” Cr Fraser said.
“It’s such a fantastic way to showcase our city’s beautiful lake, plus it helps raise our profile to the fishing community and generates income for businesses who have struggled through lockdown.”
More than $33,000 in prizes will be offered across various categories for children and adults, including largest fish of each target species caught and released, and fish closest to a mystery length.
Event Director Michael Guest said new to this year’s Let’s Fish was the Let’s Fish Festival, to be held Sunday 14 November at Rathmines Park.
Entry to the 10am-5pm festival is free for all Let’s Fish entrants, and includes food trucks, fishing stalls, kids’ activities and the Berkley Supertank – a 15m x 3m mobile fish tank stocked with barramundi.
“Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes for people in Lake Macquarie and it’s easy to see why,” Mr Guest said.
“We have so many spectacular spots to wet a line right throughout the lake, not to mention the thriving underwater ecosystems that support healthy populations of the four target species.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how lucky people get over the event weekend, and hearing tall tales of the ones that got away.”
Let’s Fish participants must have caught their fish in tidal waters or on public beaches in Lake Macquarie from 6am-7pm on Saturday 13th, and 6am-3pm on Sunday 14th.
Entry to the Let’s Fish Festival is free for Let’s Fish participants, $10 for other adults and free for children aged under 16. Visitors over 16 must be double-vaccinated against COVID-19.
Go to letsfishlakemac.com.au for more information and to enter.
