The fishing challenge focuses on catch-and-release fishing for Murray cod and yellow belly.
The event is capped at 300 entrants, with 100 sponsors and up to 100 kids participating.
The event has a proven track record of success, having raised an impressive $30,000 at last year’s fishing challenge.
This money has been used for river restocking and community projects, making a tangible difference in the local area, including in 2025, a donation to the Navorina Nursing Home.
Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge event coordinator Andrew Jefferies is proud the event has helped bring back the eel-tailed catfish to the local waters.
“Fish aren’t breeding in the river naturally and coming down through the natural breeding course from Menindee Lakes through the Darling and into our river system,” he said.
“There are so many weirs, locks and blockades in the way now.
“So, we are trying to rejuvenate and boost the numbers.
“We have put about 26,000 yellow belly back in this year, and about 10,000 catfish back into the river, along with 35 extra breeding Murray cod, which are already 60 to 70cm long.
“Hopefully, we have brought eel-tailed catfish back from extinction.
“They are breeding locally again, which they haven’t been because of the stinking carp, but we are getting back on top of it.”
The Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge is a catch-and-release event.
Entrants take a photo of the legal native fish they have caught with their entry tag on their brag mat and text the picture to the challenge.
There are prizes for the largest native fish caught over the weekend, but all other prizes are random draws, so everybody has a chance to go home with the major prize of a boat and engine package from Deniliquin Yamaha.
If you don’t want to fish, but would like to come along, everyone is welcome to come to Deniliquin Memorial Park on Friday night, participate in the festivities, buy a raffle ticket and join in on the family fun.
On Friday night there will be music, food and kids’ entertainment.
For more information and to be one of the 300 entrants, go to https://www.edwardfishingchallenge.com.au/
22°C