It’s in its third year and it gets bigger each year – the annual Campaspe Carp Catch is on again, so dust off your rods, find your special spot and register to win some great prizes.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is organising the free carp fishing competition along the Campaspe River, from Kyneton to Echuca, on Sunday 15 October, which is also National Gone Fishing Day.

It will run from noon to 3pm, with six registration, judging and barbecue sites along the river.

North Central CMA Project Manager Angela Gladman said the event is a fun way to highlight the scourge of the introduced species.

“Carp are the rabbits of our rivers. They are a major component of the Murray-Darling Basin’s fish population and they cause significant damage to rivers, wetlands and the natural environment,” she said.

“We are working with community organisations such as the Echuca Moama Landcare, Strathallan Family Landcare, Rochester and District Angling Club, Longlea & District Landcare and Kyneton Angling Club, to put this carp catch event on, with funding assistance from Victoria’s peak recreational fishing body VR Fish.

“Register at one of our six hubs at noon, grab some lunch and put a line in. Judging will take place back at the registration spots at 3pm.”

The registration and judging sites are:

• Pig Shed, Kyneton Botanic Gardens
• Axedale River Reserve, off William Street
• Ayson’s Reserve at Elmore, on Burnewang Road
• Campaspe River Reserve near the Rochester water tower
• Strathallan Community Hall on Strathallan Road
• Echuca Lions Park at Ogilvie Avenue

There will be prizes for the Best Catch and the Biggest Bag.

“Corn bait will be provided and it is important everyone aged over 18 has fishing licences and complies with relevant fishing laws,” Angela said.

“It is also important everyone has fun, and takes home the understanding that introduced fish like the carp can damage our waterways and crowd out communities of our magnificent native fish.

“The Campaspe River is a significant environmental asset to Victoria, and is home to a number of threatened and vulnerable native fish.

“The North Central CMA has been doing a lot of work in recent years to improve the health of the Campaspe River through the delivery of water, and working with farmers to protect and enhance the bank vegetation through the Caring for the Campaspe project - one of the results being the return of fish such as the Murray-Darling rainbowfish and increased numbers of the iconic Murray cod.

“This is great news, and every carp pulled out of the river on the day will help.”

The event is part of the North Central CMA’s Caring for the Campaspe and Waterwatch projects, funded through the Victorian Government’s $222M initiative to improve the health of waterways and catchments.

The Campaspe Carp Catch also received $3,210 through the Recreational Fishing Licence Small Grants Program. This program is funded by Victorian recreational fishing licence fees and is consistent with the State Government's Target One Million commitment to deliver carp control measures.