As the spring days began warming up, the Hay community came together for Hay Plains Landcare’s Spring Carp-a-thon. This year’s event was a resounding success, with participants young and old sharing in the excitement of fishing, friendly competition and environmental care.
Over the course of the Carp-a-thon, a remarkable 114 carp were removed from our local waterways. These invasive fish have long threatened river ecosystems and every catch contributes to restoring a healthier balance for native species. Among the 68 keen entrants, skill and persistence were on full display, with prizes awarded across junior and open categories.
Carp-a-thon 2025 Prize Winners
- Junior Longest Carp – Isac Manera, 80 cm
- Junior Most Carp – Aubree Allen, 32 catches
- Open Longest Carp – Bill Barnard, 78 cm
- Open Most Carp – Karen Davis, 32 catches
- Mystery Length 40 cm – Kailen Allen
- Mystery Length 50 cm – Jacob Hudson
- Mystery Length 60 cm – Aubree Allen
- Mystery Length 70 cm – Kailen Allen & Jacob Hudson
The inclusion of “mystery length” prizes kept things exciting for all ages, rewarding sharp-eyed anglers who landed fish close to secret target measurements.
In conjunction with the Carp-a-thon, the Hay Gone Fishing Day at Sandy Point Reserve offered a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Locals enjoyed a spot of fishing, plenty of giveaways and a free barbecue lunch that was perfect for refuelling after a morning on the riverbank.
Competitions added a lively edge to the day. Young anglers showed off their casting skills in the Junior Casting Competition, where Kenzi Van Gils took the win. In the Open Casting Competition, Phil impressed judges and spectators alike. The ever-popular Lucky Door Prize draws saw big smiles from winners Di-Anne Mock, Eli, and Tara Green.
Events like these thrive on volunteer dedication and this year the support from Landcare volunteers was invaluable. A heartfelt thank you goes to Bert, Geoff, Louise, John and Jade, who gave their time and expertise to keep things running smoothly. Their commitment to caring for our waterways is at the heart of the Carp-a-thon’s success.
Our sincere thanks also go to our event sponsor, Hay Lions Football & Netball Club, whose support ensured that prizes, facilities, and community engagement reached their full potential.
With the 2025 Carp-a-thon now wrapped up, we’re already looking forward to next year. The 2026 event promises to build on the momentum, continuing the mission to remove these noxious fish from our rivers while creating memorable moments for all involved.
This program is proudly supported by the Recreational Fishing Trust and the NSW Landcare Enabling Program, a collaborative initiative of Local Land Services NSW and Landcare NSW, funded by the NSW Government. Additional support came from Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc, Landcare Australia, Riverina Local Land Services, NSW Fisheries and the Gone Fishing Day campaign.
