Anglers young and old, experienced and novice, should come to Lake Tuggeranong on Sunday to try their hand at fishing.

The Lake Tuggeranong Family Fishing Day will transform the lake into a family fishing destination.

Never fished before, or not much of a hand with a rod? No worries – there will be tuition for juniors and those new to recreational fishing.

Chris Head, the event’s organiser, said it would be a great day out and a win for the environment.

“The whole idea of the event is to remove as many European carp and redfin perch from Lake Tuggeranong as we can, as they have a terrible impact on native fish and their habitats,” Mr Head said.

“It will be a fantastic way to highlight the environmental impact of introduced species.”

Funds raised by the event will be used to stock the ACT’s lakes with native fish, and to promote sportfishing in the region.

The event is sponsored by the Mulloon Institute, a sustainable agriculture organisation. They will use any European carp and redfin perch caught as natural fertiliser on their biodynamic pastures.

Registration fees are $60.00 per family (up to two adults and two children under 16); $25.00 per adult (age 16 or older); and $20.00 per child (under 16). Only competitors who have completed and paid the registration fee will be eligible for prizes. No registrations will be accepted after 12 noon on Sunday.

The fishing area is restricted to Lake Tuggeranong. Fishing begins at 6 am and finishes at 3 pm. Only fish weighed in at the official weigh station are eligible for prizes under the competition.

Prizes will be awarded in categories including mystery weight carp major prize, heaviest carp and redfin, longest Murray cod and yellowbelly, and mystery weight total bag of redfin. The major prize is $1,000.

The Track my Fish App will be used for registrations and tracking captures of fish, including a live scoreboard that displays what is being caught and weighed.

There are great prizes for the Canberra Fishermen’s Club Sportfishing and Fish Stocking Raffle, too, Mr Head said. First prize is a Hobie kayak.

The event HQ is Lake Tuggeranong Sea Scouts Hall, Mortimer Lewis Drive, Greenway.

People who register for the Lake Tuggeranong Family Fishing Day and show proof of payment will receive a $10 voucher to spend at BOSS Outdoor Fyshwick.  

Register for the event online. Tickets for the online raffle can also be bought online.