Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) are once again proudly sponsoring the Boyne Tannum HookUp (BTHU), who are this year celebrating 30 years.
As we have for almost ten years, GAWB will sponsor the BTHU’s pink tagged fish category. Each pink tagged fish caught in Lake Awoonga over the HookUp weekend is worth $5,000.
These pink tagged fish are just some of the prized fish swimming in Lake Awoonga, thanks to the recently launched GAWB $100K Fish Challenge.
Lucky anglers can fish for the following at Lake Awoonga:
- Pink tagged fish, worth $5,000 if caught over the HookUp weekend (2-4 May 2025) and
worth $1,000 if caught at any other time.
- Four blue and yellow tagged fish worth $25,000 each, able to be caught at any time at
Lake Awoonga.
GAWB Chief Executive Officer (Acting) Scott Wikman said the tagged fish swimming in Lake Awoonga were big drawcards for those considering where to go fishing in Queensland.
“Lake Awoonga is a stunning location and a premier fishing destination, and these competitions make a trip to Lake Awoonga even better, with the possibility of cash for fish”, Mr Wikman said.
“Lake Awoonga is a great place to fish, hike, camp or go boating, make sure it’s top of your must visit destinations not just over the HookUp weekend but any day of the year.
“Our team will be at Aquaculture Gladstone every day of the HookUp weekend from 9am to 3pm, and at the GAWB stall at Bray Park every afternoon.
“Come visit us at Aquaculture Gladstone, at Look Out One at Awoonga Dam, check out our fish display, join a guided tour, and watch the big Barra’s being fed daily at 11am.
“Our hatchery team are experts in all things fish, particularly Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Sea Mullet. Get your questions about fish and see how knowledgeable they are!”
For full details of our opening hours and tour times, visit Gladstone Area Water Board on
Facebook. We are also on Instagram – find us by searching for Aquaculture Gladstone.
This year’s Boyne Tannum HookUp will be held 2 - 4 May at Bray Park, Boyne Island.
Tickets are available at www.boyntannumhookup.com.au.
Aquaculture Gladstone is a multi-species, native fish hatchery, which is part of Gladstone Area Water Board. Opened in late 2022, Aquaculture Gladstone has already reached impressive milestones, with more than one million Barramundi fingerlings bred and released into Lake Awoonga in the 2024 and 2025 stocking periods.
In addition to its successful fish breeding program, Aquaculture Gladstone opened the interpretive display at the hatchery in November 2023. The display creates an accessible experience for visitors to learn about the different fish species being bred at the Aquaculture Gladstone fish hatchery, the aquaculture industry more broadly, biosecurity and biological pest species.
BTHU pink tagged fish category – important information
- GAWB has caught, tagged and released an additional three live Barramundi into Lake Awoonga. Each are tagged with a pink tag, and each are worth $5,000 if caught between Friday 2 May and Sunday 4 May 2025.
- To claim the $5,000 prize money for each fish, the Barramundi must be presented under the Live Fish Category and tag checked by BTHU officials.
- The competitor may photograph the Barramundi in line with the Barramundi Catch and Release section, ensuring the tag is photographed clearly or by removing the tag.
- Competitors can also bring the live tagged Barramundi into the live fish weigh-in station in accordance with the Live Fish Category section.
- To check the rules and conditions of the Boyne Tannum HookUp pink tagged fish category, please visit www.boynetannumhookup.com.au/event-categories/
- If the Baramundi are caught at any other time, each pink tagged Barramundi is worth $1,000. Take a clear photo of the tag and you holding the Barramundi and email aquaculturegladstone@gawb.qld.gov.au
Aquaculture Gladstone’s $100K Fish Challenge – important information
- GAWB has caught, tagged and released four live Barramundi into Lake Awoonga. Each Barramundi has blue and yellow tags and each are worth $25,000. If caught, the angler must: Take two digital photos as follows:
o a photo including the whole Barramundi on a reputable brag mat or ruler showing the length of the fish;
o a close-up photo of the whole Barramundi, clearly displaying the blue and yellow tag numbers (bonus points for a selfie with your catch!)
2. Remove both the blue and yellow tags by cutting the stem with scissors or knife and release the Barramundi back into the lake.
3. Record your catch by either:
o calling InfoFish Australia on 1800 077 001 to verify the catch or
o bringing the blue and yellow tags, and your photos, to Aquaculture Gladstone at 865 Awoonga Dam Road, during opening hours.
The $100K Fish Challenge Terms and Conditions are listed on
www.aquaculturegladstone.com.au.
ENDS
Media Enquiries
Contact media@gawb.qld.gov.au
