Million Dollar Barramundi Still Loose in the Northern Territory

With just over a month left of Season 2 of the Million Dollar Fish competition in the Top End, there's still time for fisho's to reel in a prize winning fish, including the million dollar barra.

In Season 2 of Million Dollar Fish, 101 Barramundi were tagged and released across the Territory with 100 carrying $10,000 cash prize tags and 1 million dollar fish.

Snapshot of tagged fish caught in Season 2:

• 2 caught in 2017
• 5 out of 8 have been caught by land based fishing
• 4 out of 8 caught on the Daly River
• 2 out of 8 caught on the Darwin Harbour
• 1 out of 8 caught in Corroboree Billabong
• 1 out of 8 caught in Darwin River
• $80,000 in prize money won to date

The Million Dollar Fish competition runs from 1 October 2016 – 28 February 2017.

There are a number of spots to wet your line in the Top End, here's our top five:

1. Darwin

Darwin is a well-known fishing destination, renowned for its pristine coastlines and large barramundi. The Territory's capital sits on a peninsula and is surrounded by seas on three sides. There are numerous boat ramps that service each of these three bodies of water, providing easy access to blue water. Back on land, there are plenty of activities on offer including dipping your toes in the wave lagoon, watching monster crocs in action or tantalising your taste buds at one of the many fine dining restaurants.

2. Tiwi Islands

Bathurst and Melville islands, known as the Tiwi islands, lie approximately 80 kilometres to the north of Darwin. Estuary fishing is popular, along with blue water fishing. As with most aboriginal-owned land, access is not allowed without a permit. However, recognising the attraction of their waters for anglers, the Tiwi Land Council and local traditional landowners have established streamlined access and permit procedures. Accommodation options include lodge and safari tent accommodation, both with guided fishing.

3. Kakadu

Only two and a half hour's drive from Darwin is the World heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. It has a rich aboriginal cultural heritage and much to offer all visitors, including some excellent fishing. Within the Park, the tidal sections of the South and East Alligator Rivers are easily accessed by sealed roads and concrete boat ramps. There are dozens of billabongs on Kakadu's floodplains where plenty of barramundi can be caught.

4. Arnhem Land

For those looking to explore further afield, Arnhem Land is a fishing haven for keen anglers. As a visitor to Arnhem Land, the only way to legally visit and fish much of the area is through accredited fishing tour operations. The pristine waters around the Gove Peninsula and the remote coast and islands of north-east Arnhem Land have some of the best tropical sport fishing available anywhere in Australia. The region is serviced by the small, tropical township of Nhulunbuy (Gove), located on the peninsula where there's a handful of accommodation and dining options.

5. Katherine

Katherine, as many local anglers will know, is a great base for some of the Territory's best fishing areas, like the picturesque Victoria River region to the west, the Daly River to the north-west, Kakadu to the north-east and the Roper River and Borroloola region to the south-east. The legendary Daly River is a popular spot to hook a barramundi; it has been reserved for recreational fishing – no commercial barramundi fishing is allowed. The Daly is particularly beautiful, lined with rainforest and tall paperbarks, many of which have fallen into the river over the years and now provide perfect snag habitats for barramundi.

Find out more here: www.milliondollarfish.com.au http://northernterritory.com/