‘Majestic piece of God’s creation’ caught by tagged fishing competition’s fourth winner

News release | 29-Jun-2023

A 109-centimetre barramundi, described as a ‘majestic piece of God’s creation’, has been caught by the fourth winner in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Fish’n’SIP$ tagged fishing competition.

Fisheries Queensland Executive Director Dallas D’Silva said retired Brisbane angler Mark Hennessy reeled in the barra while fishing at Lake Tinaroo near Cairns in May.

“Windy weather forced Mark and his brother Michael to abandon planned reef fishing trips in favour of fishing on Lake Tinaroo,” Mr D’Silva said.

“The change in plan became a $3000 winning move when Mark landed the fish with the distinctive green tag while fishing at night.

“Mark’s tagged barra is the third winning fish caught on Lake Tinaroo during the competition and was landed during a trip in which he and his brother caught and released 14 barra with all but four of the fish measuring more than a metre in length.”

Mr D’Silva said there was still time to catch a prize-winning fish in the competition being run by the Freshwater Fish Stocking Association of Queensland.

“Fishers can still land a share of the remaining $12,000 on offer with tagged fish available in Lake Tinaroo, Lake Proserpine, Lake Kinchant, Lake Callide, and Lake Cania stocked impoundments,” Mr D’Silva said.

“The next 11 fish caught on a line and accurately reported to InfoFish will win a prize and the sooner a tagged fish is caught, the larger the prize will be.

“Fishers need a Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) permit to fish those impoundments and recreational fishers without a SIPS permit should buy one before trying their luck.”

SIPS permits are available for purchase online, through the QLD Fishing 2.0 smartphone app, at 585 Australia Post outlets throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales or by phoning 1300 575 359.

Revenue from SIPS permits supports volunteer groups to stock impoundments with native fish species including golden perch, Australian bass, and barramundi specifically for recreational fishing.

Recreational fishing in Queensland contributes $333 million annually to the state’s economy and supports regional jobs.

Visit qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/dams to find the nearest stocked waterway and buy a permit, or call 13 25 23 for more information.

Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook (@FisheriesQueensland), Instagram (@FisheriesQld) and Twitter (@DAFQld).

Media contact: DAF Media, media@daf.qld.gov.au