Golden Tag competition extended for another year

22 December 2021

View original release here

Anglers across the state now have another year to try their luck at catching a Golden Tag fish worth up to $10,000, with the State Government announcing the competition is extended until 31 December 2022.

Launched in February 2020 to encourage visitation to Gippsland and the state's north east following the season's devastating bushfires, the competition was later expanded statewide to support local businesses following pandemic restrictions.

Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said more than 950 tagged fish are still uncaught, swimming in waterways right across the state, including at Lake Eildon, the Goulburn and Ovens rivers in the north east, Lake Purrumbete in the south west and the Kings Billabong in the north west.

Tagged species include Murray cod, golden perch, rainbow and brown trout, southern bluefin tuna and yellowtail kingfish, flathead, bream, estuary perch, luderick, King George whiting, silver trevally, tailor and Australian bass.

The majority of fish are worth $2,000; however, there are still a number of $10,000 fish up for grabs.

The Golden Tag competition presents a great opportunity for locals to wet a line in their favourite spot close to home and encourage recreational fishing tourism, which has enormous economic benefits for communities.

For more information on the Golden Tag details and terms and conditions, visit  vfa.vic.gov.au/goldentag.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne

"Victorians are back on the road and exploring the best our state has to offer – this includes the countless fishing opportunities. The extension of the Golden Tag competition will ensure this continue."

"By extending this competition, we can continue contributing to improved tourist rates and regional economies across Victoria, while also encouraging more people to go fishing, more often."