MORE than $200,000 in prize money has been paid to winners of the Golden Tag fishing competition, the state government says.
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The competition started in March 2020 to encourage tourism after the bushfires in Gippsland and the state's north east.
It was then suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic started and travel restrictions came into force.
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The Golden Tag competition was expanded and relaunched in November in an effort to encourage more tourism to regional Victoria.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said since the competition started in March, about $270,000 had been paid for more than 70 catches.
Ms Horne said there were about 1000 tagged fish still swimming in Victorian waters.
In central Victorian waterways like Lake Eppalock and the Upper Coliban Reservoir, people could catch Murray cod and golden perch.
Residents could collect up to $10,000 for their prize catch.
"The Golden Tag competition has been a huge success in getting fishers and their families out to regional Victoria and supporting local businesses while making some great memories," Ms Horne said.
"With more than 1000 tagged fish still swimming and the competition running through until the end of 2021, there's plenty of time to plan your next fishing holiday and dangle a line."
More information about how to participate in the fishing competition could be found at vfa.vic.gov.au/goldentag
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