A 19-year-old Katherine man has snagged the catch of a lifetime, reeling in the Northern Territory's prized million-dollar barra during Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, sponsored by Sportsbet.
Keegan Payne was on a fishing trip with one of his sisters and a friend in the early hours of Sunday morning at Katherine River when he reeled in the fish, calling the hotline at 1am.
Keegan has now won $1 million from Sportsbet as part of the competition.
The prized barra was released into Top End waters as part of Australia's richest fishing competition. Each season the competition sees more than a hundred red-tagged fish released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands waterways. Some are worth a million dollars while the rest are worth $10,000.
As well as making someone a millionaire, Season 9 has seen eight fishos share in $90,000, so far by catching $10,000 fish, one fisho won a Double the Dough. Scores of people have also won prizes through the monthly Lucky Prize Pool draw - all funded through Sportsbet.
Since the competition began in 2015, Sportsbet has given away $1,015,000 in prize money, generated over $70 million in extra spend in the NT in 2023 and attracted more than 10,000 visitors.
Charities have also benefited, with Sportsbet paying $1,000 to the fisho's Million Dollar Fish charity partner of choice every time a $10,000 fish is caught. Because Keegan caught a million-dollar barra, he will be able to donate $10,000 to the Cancer Council.
And while the million dollars has been nabbed and the season ends at midnight 30 April, all other Season 9 fish are now worth $10,000 - until midnight 30 April!
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Eva Lawler:
"The Territory is the best place for fishos and it's fitting that a local has reeled in the biggest catch going around - the Million Dollar Fish.
"Congratulations to Keegan for landing the big one that everyone was looking for. What an incredible achievement.
"The figures speak for themselves, with more than 60,000 registrations to be part of Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, from all corners of the country and even overseas. We can't wait to see what Season 10 will bring."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Major Events Brent Potter:
"Million Dollar Fish shows the Northern Territory is the best place in the world to play, stay and fish and this epic catch proves it! This competition has lured people from all over the world to the Territory to wet a line and try their luck, providing a significant boost to our tourism industry and local businesses."
Quote attributable to Keegan Payne:
"This is crazy for us we're a big family, there's eight of us, this is more money than we could ever ask for. This is just great."
"It means so much. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I'm happy, really happy."
"I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans."
Quote attributable to Sportsbet CEO Barni Evans:
"As the major sponsor of Million Dollar Fish, we're absolutely thrilled to see Australia's most sought-after fish caught. Million Dollar Fish Season 9 was a game-changer as we extended the season and had more than 80 eligible million-dollar-fish released in the Top End waters. We guaranteed a winner this season and we're delighted to see the prize go off".
Quote attributable NT Major Events Company Suzana Bishop:
"An event like this, now in it's ninth season, is such a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors to spend time in the great outdoors of the Territory. The Million Dollar Barra has become one of our greatest ambassadors and we are so happy and excited for Keegan."
Northern Territory Government
