New South Wales hosts a vibrant array of fishing competitions each year. Here's your definitive guide to the region’s standout events, complete with dates and links for more details.
North Coast & Mid North Coast Fishing Comps
Evans Head Fishing Classic
Dates: 4–11 July 2025 | 3–10 July 2026
The Evans Head Fishing Classic is a week-long catch-and-photograph tournament during the winter school holidays, packed with daily draws and community fun.
Let's Fish Lake Mac
Date: 22 November 2025
Let's Fish Lake Mac is a catch-and-release style competition in Lake Macquarie.
Pirtek Fishing Challenge
Dates: 26&27 April 2025
Pirtek Fishing Challenge is Australia’s biggest national fishing, catch and release, competition
South Coast & Offshore Game Fishing
Blue Water Big Game Fishing Classic (Bermagui)
Dates: 25–27 January 2025; 8–26 January 2026 (extended window)
Premier offshore tournament for marlin, kingfish, tuna, etc., with both tag-and-release and capture categories.
NSWGFA details Reflections Holidays+5Reflections Holidays+5Nsw Tournament Serie+5nswgfa.com.au
Trophy Hunter Snapper Bash (Coffs Harbour)
Dates: Mid-year annual event (2025 exact dates TBC)
High-stakes snapper-focused competition, drawing serious anglers with a prize pool exceeding AUD $100K.
Trophy Hunter info evansheadfishingclassic.com.auFacebook+4Reflections Holidays+4Reflections Holidays+4
Inland & Freshwater Events
Grabine Lakeside Freshwater Fishing Competition (Lake Wyangala)
Dates: 29–31 August 2025 (last full weekend of August)
The Grabine Lakeside Freshwater Fishing Competition is a freshwater comp at Reflections Holiday Park featuring native species (photo-entry) and carp bag prizes.
Greg Whitehead (Mate V Mate) Fishing Challenge (Burrinjuck Waters)
Dates: 22–24 August 2025
The Greg Whitehead (Mate V Mate) Fishing Challenge is a catch-and-release fundraising event for brain cancer research, with generous prizes and community spirit.
Teams Fishing Australia – Glenbawn Event (Lake Glenbawn)
Dates:
- Round 1 – Boats & More Native Classic: 2–4 May 2025
- Round 2 – Venom Cod Open: 30–31 August 2025
- Round 3 – Lowrance Burrinjuck Classic: 25–26 October 2025
Team Fishing Australia is a team-based bass tournaments with catch-and-release and healthy prize pools.
Statewide & Community Highlights
Fish Reflections (Statewide)
Dates: 28 & 29 September
Fish Reflections is a flexible, catch-and-release photo competition. Fish anywhere in NSW and submit your best shot.
Gone Fishing Day – DPI
Dates: 19 October 2025
Gone Fishing is a free, family-oriented learn-to-fish clinics, giveaways, and local event support through NSW DPI.
New! NSW Tournament Series: Bream Fishing Teams
NSW Tournament Series is a fresh team-based bream competition series across 2025, covering locations like Hawkesbury River, Botany Bay, St Georges Basin, Lake Macquarie, Forster, and Sydney Harbour. Grand Final at Botany Bay on 25–26 October 2025.
Hook, line and sinker
So whether you're a seasoned angler or casting your first line, NSW's fishing events offer the perfect excuse to get outdoors, join a great community, and reel in memories that last long after the tide goes out.
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