Lake Mac fishing comp expanded to include a festival

Published on 20 October 2021

Amateur anglers are set to reel in more than $33,000 in prizes next month as the annual Let’s Fish Lake Mac competition gets underway.

Keen anglers are permitted to fish between 6am and 7pm Saturday 13 November and 6am to 3pm Sunday 14 November. Participants need to catch, photograph and release prize specimens caught in the lake and along the City’s coastline as part of Lake Mac’s first major event since the recent COVID-19 lockdown.

Fantastic prize packs worth up to $1000 are on offer across senior and junior categories covering four target fish species: bream, flathead, tailor and whiting.

Lake Macquarie Mayor 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 Let’s Fish Lake Mac competition is this year being expanded to include a festival at Rathmines.

“The Let’s Fish Festival will feature the impressive Berkley Supertank, which will take you on a journey of underwater discovery,” she said.

“This mobile 15m-long x 3m-high tank will give the public a fish-eye-view on the world of angling, with demonstrations on how the barramundi species are attracted to different types of lures and lure movements.”

The Let’s Fish Festival is set be a fun day out for the whole family, featuring expert fishing tips from some of Australia’s leading anglers, live music all day, 20 plus food trucks, fishing-themed stalls, science and magic shows, roving performers, children’s programs, art exhibition and more.

Competition entrants gain entry to the festival free of charge. Additional tickets are $10 each, with free entry for children aged 15 and under.

Competition Event Director Michael Guest, from Reel Action TV, said Lake Macquarie is 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 $33,000 in prizes over the weekend,” he said.

“Entry is $20 per person, with all participants in the running to win one of eight prize packs valued at a total of $7000. You don’t even have to catch a fish to win these great prizes thanks to Lowrance, Berkley/ABU Garcia and Mako Eyewear.”

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.

“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 competition event, go to letsfishlakemac.com.au

For further information and to purchase tickets to the festival, go to lakemac.com.au/letsfishfestival