17yo's catch of a lifetime in Fish 'n $IPS competition

News release | 09-May-2024

An Anzac Day flick around Lake Tinaroo has paid off in spades for a 17-year-old Atherton Tablelands fisher in the second edition of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' Fish 'n SIP$ tagged fishing competition, in partnership with the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland.

Tate Gowan, from Tolga south-west of Cairns, reeled in a 92-centimetre barramundi on 25 April, netting the $20,000 first prize as well as a bonus $6,250 for the first fish caught at Tinaroo.

"I fish at Tinaroo several times a week and have caught well over 150 barra out of the dam over the past couple of years," Tate said.

"The largest was last year at the inaugural Ash Memorial Fishing Competition, where I won the largest barra at 125cm.

"While this one didn't go as big as that, it's now my most memorable!"

The $10,000 second prize was then claimed on 5 May when Southeast Queensland man Matthew Taylor snared a bass at Wyaralong Dam in the Scenic Rim region.

Matthew also claims an additional $6,250 for catching the first eligible fish in that impoundment, which is one of the new additions to the competition this year.

The 2024 Fish 'n $IPS competition has built on the massive response to last year’s edition by extending this year’s event to three new fishing spots – Wyaralong, Leslie Dam, and, most recently, Baroon Pocket Dam.

Fisheries Queensland has partnered with the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland and InfoFish teams to tag and release 20 fish in each of the eight impoundments now included in this competition.

"I'm thrilled for Tate – what a cracking catch! Not a bad little payday either!" Fisheries Queensland Executive Director Dallas D'Silva said.

"It's also great to hear that a new addition to the competition has already given joy to one lucky fisher.

"For all the other fishers, never fear — there's still $57,500 in prize money to be claimed across the eight impoundments.

"So grab a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) and join in the fun while supporting our world-class fisheries, which contribute $333 million to the Queensland economy each year."

Tagged fish must be caught and reported by 30 November 2024 to be eligible.

Lake Tinaroo, located on the Atherton Tablelands, continues to steal the limelight in the competition, having accounted for nine of the fish across both competitions so far.

A total of $48,000 in prize money was claimed from 13 catches across four dams during the inaugural competition.

For more information on the competition and how to buy a SIP, download our FREE Qld Fishing 2.0 app or visit https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/news-media/campaigns/fish-n-sips-tagged-fish-competition.

ENDS

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