Almost 200 entrants took part, up 12 per cent on last year.

More than $20,000 in prizes were offered including the major prize of a canoe and electric motor which was won by Stephen Faint from Gara Road.

The boat, motor and camper raffle was won by Steve Rolly.

The entire competition now operates on a ‘catch and release’ system, meaning most fish aren’t able to be weighed, but instead measured.

In the seniors William Hyde won the bass with a 500mm fish, while Chris Foster’s 625mm was the longest catfish caught.

Graham Ridley took out both the rainbow trout and silver perch divisions with catches of 565 and 610mm respectively, while Ken McGregor caught the larest yellow belly, measuring 625 mm.

With only eel and red fin featuring at the weigh-in, Jenny Fraser caught the largest eel of the seniors, weighing 4.43kg, while Matt Milne’s 1.015kg red fin was the largest catch of the weekend.

Junior Thomas Craig outdid Fraser with a 5.49kg eel, while Jade Booth’s 0.43kg red fin was the best of the youngsters.

Jacob Davies 160g craybob was the heaviest caught.

Rebecca Keogh (620mm golden perch), Karn Miller (450mm silver perch), Ryan Browning (525mm rainbow trout), Ben Keogh (620mm catfish) and Caitlin Craig (470mm bass) also got among the spoils.

Fraser was named champion female angler, with Callum Craig male winner.

In the juniors Alexandria Craig and Jimmy Ince were crowned champions.