SOUTH Australia’s largest carp fishing competition – with expanded boundaries for 2021 – is set to return to the Riverland this weekend.
Around 700 local and visiting fishers are expected to participate in the 2021 Carp Frenzy in Barmera on Saturday.
Event organiser Kym Manning said the competition’s boundaries had been expanded this year – to include Chambers Creek and Loch Luna – due to restrictions on some Lake Bonney campsites.
“They reduced the number of campsites around Lake Bonney to protect the sand dunes, so we opened the competition up to Loch Luna and Chambers Creek,” Mr Manning said.
“This should help make up for the reduction in campsites, although people will have to book at those areas because they are national parks.”
Mr Manning expected cooler weather conditions over the summer would impact the number of fish caught.
“Carp usually like to bite in the warmer weather, so I’m not expecting big numbers this year,” he said.
“However, you don’t need to catch a fish to win a prize.”
Awards for the 2021 Carp Frenzy include biggest carp caught – from land and boat – and the most carp caught.
Registrations for the event – costing $20 for adults, $10 for children and $50 for a family of four – can be made at the Barmera Club on Friday between 4pm and 8pm, or on Saturday morning from 6am to approximately 12 noon.
Fishing will begin at 6.30am and finish at 3pm, followed by the annual carp-throwing competition at 4pm, and presentations from 5.30pm.