Million Dollar Fish, Australia's richest fishing competition, will kick-off its fifth season next month with an extra barramundi worth $1 million added to the competition.

With the odds of winning better than ever before, anglers from all over the country are expected to descend on the Territory's Top End, when the free competition opens on Tuesday, 1 October.

A total of 126 barramundi will be tagged with a cash prize, including six red-tagged with the million-dollar jackpot, 100 worth $10,000, and a further 20 barramundi tagged with a purple charity tag, each worth $5,000 to be split between the angler and their choice of three Northern Territory-based charities.

The prize-wielding barramundi, released in waters at Katherine, Kakadu, Arnhem Land, Darwin and the Tiwi Islands – where anglers who are registered for the competition can go to fish for the riches – will allow entrants to experience the Territory's iconic run-off season when barramundi stocks are at their most plentiful.

Northern Territory Major Events Company General Manager Tim Watsford said Million Dollar Fish is positioning the Territory as one of Australia's most renowned fishing destinations, luring anglers from across the country.

“The Top End is home to the biggest population of barramundi in Australia, and Million Dollar Fish has helped to boost our reputation as one of the best places in the world to fish,” he said.

“The huge tidal rivers, scenic inland billabongs and mangrove-lined estuaries make the Top End an unrivalled, world-class fishing destination, catering to every type of fishing enthusiast.”

Million Dollar Fish is free to enter and participants must pre-register online at www.milliondollarfish.com.au to be eligible for cash and sponsor prizes.

*For full competition details, please visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

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Tourism NT Media:

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Katie Connolly, katie.connolly@nt.gov.au, 0436 020 598 

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Notes to Editor:

Million Dollar Fish aims to attract visitors to the Northern Territory by showcasing it as the best place in the world to stay, play and fish. Season five of Million Dollar Fish runs from Tuesday, 1 October 2019 until Tuesday, 31 March 2020*. The annual competition is free to enter and sees 126 prize tagged barramundi released across five regions in the Northern Territory's Top End including Darwin, Katherine Arnhem Land, Kakadu and the Tiwi Islands.

In a season game changer, this year there'll be six red-tagged fish worth $1 million each, 100 red-tagged fish worth $10,000 and 20 purple-tagged charity fish worth $5000 (to be equally split between the angler and one of two NT charities) loose in Top End waterways. 

Once the first major $1 million prize fish is caught, the five remaining $1 million-tagged fish will reduce in value to $10,000.

Northern Territory charity partners are Cancer Council NT, Star Ball through the Starlight Children's Foundation, and the Shimano Junior Indigenous Guide Program through the Hayden & Reynolds Project.

*For full competition details, sponsors or to register, visit www.milliondollarfish.com.au