Million Dollar Fish, Australia's richest fishing competition, is set to return for Season 12, once again transforming the Northern Territory into the ultimate angler's playground. Running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, registered anglers aged 18 and over can chase prize-tagged barramundi across some of the Top End's most iconic fishing locations, with one fish carrying the coveted $1 million tag and 100 tagged barra worth $10,000 each.
Registrations open 1 September and are free, giving Territorians and visiting anglers a month to get ready before fishing officially kicks off. Million Dollar Fish continues to showcase the Territory at its best, our world‑class fishing, our incredible waterways, and the big, bold energy that makes the Top End such a unique destination.
With huge prizes and monthly giveaways, Million Dollar Fish continues to cement the Territory's reputation as one of Australia's premier fishing destinations, combining world-class barra fishing with the chance to land a catch worth serious money. This season marks 12 years of the competition, which has seen more than 1,200 red‑tagged barramundi released and over $2.4 million in prize money awarded since its launch in 2015.
Season 11 was one of the most thrilling on record, with 18 lucky anglers reeling in a combined $220,000 in prize‑tagged barra across the Top End. National interest surged, with 53,899 registrations and 30.1% of entrants coming from outside the NT. New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland accounted for most interstate anglers, as fishers from across Australia set their sights on the next million‑dollar barra.
The season opened with remarkable momentum, five red‑tagged barra caught in the first ten days, each earning $10,000. By the end of the first month, 14 prize‑tagged fish had been landed, marking the strongest start in Million Dollar Fish history.
The Top End remains the only place in Australia where anglers can hook a red‑tagged million‑dollar barra, with prized-tagged fish released across key fishing regions and waterways.
Million Dollar Fish is also a significant economic driver for the Northern Territory. Independent research found that Season 11 generated a total expenditure stimulus of $83.86 million, including $40.75 million in visitor expenditure, and attracted 6,440 visitors to the Territory.
Season 12 is delivered by Tourism and Events NT on behalf of the Northern Territory Government and is supported by SportsBet. The competition runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, with registrations opening on 1 September 2026. Registration is free, and anglers must be aged 18 and over and be registered for Season 12 to claim any prize money.
