THE KOONDROOK BARHAM FISHING COMPETITION IS A GREAT WEEKEND OF CHASING THE CATCH, FEBRUARY 21 TO 23, 2025.
The area of the Murray River that the Barham Koondrook Fishing Competition runs from the Barham Lakes Caravan Park to the Little Murray.
Categories for juniors and adults include the largest cod, yellow belly, and carp, with an additional champion angler prize.
The champion angler is the person who catches the most legal-size fish over the weekend.
The competition emphasises catch and release for native fish, except for carp.
“Most folks that go to fishing comps know what the prizes and the comp is about,” Barham Koondrook Fishing Competition coordinator Julie Sleep said.
“When people catch a fish, they take a photo of the fish on a brag mat, and it is their choice whether to put the fish back or keep it.
“We suggest releasing it.”
Each year, the Koondrook Barham Fishing Competition is limited to 300 adult entries, with unlimited junior competition spots.
“Entries are limited to 300 spots, and they are open to the 300 that came the year before,” Julie said.
“If at the stage, I get to the end of October and I don’t have those 300 coming, I advertise on Facebook.
“The spots go pretty quick.”
As part of the entry fee for the fishing comp, dinner on Friday and Saturday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday are supplied.
If you are not a fishing comp entrant, but are there with your family or want to be part of the community fun, people can buy a meal voucher for the weekend.
Run on behalf of the River Raiders, the Koondrook Barham Football and Netball Club, the fishing competition helps raise funds for the club.
“We will ask the club, ‘What do you need? What do you want to develop? And they give us an idea,” Julie said.
“At the moment, they are saving for an outdoor rotunda, so that is where the funds are going this year.”
For more information and to check if there are any tickets left for this fantastic weekend of fishing, go to https://www.facebook.com/KoondrookBarhamFishingComp