General News
28 February, 2025
Carp Muster Carnival
Bogan River Carp Muster attracts more than 319 entries!
It was a bad day to be a fish in the Bogan River on Saturday with more than 319 entries throwing a line in at the 2025 Nyngan RSL Fishing Club Carp Muster.
Anglers from across the region set up around the Nyngan weir pool for the annual carp onslaught - dragging out more than 855 of the invasive pests.
Local supermarkets reported a run on cheese and tinned corn in the lead-up to the competition, with both supposed to be favoured by hungry carp.
Brett Grant used cheese bait to catch the biggest fish on the day, which measured 76.5cm. He took home $1500 prizemoney for his effort.
Jacob Gibbs caught the most fish on the day. He hauled in 35 (a few less than the 140 biggest catch from last year, but a good haul nonetheless).
Fishing club president Jake McClelland described the day as a “cracker” with pleasant weather and a good roll-up of fishermen and women.
“Thank you to all that came and had a fish. It was great to see so many people enter and enjoy the day,” he said.
European carp are an invasive species introduced to Australia more than 100 years ago. They have exploded in number throughout the western river system since the 2022 flooding and are putting smaller native fish under pressure.
Bogan Shire Council and the Nyngan RSL Fishing Club have again been successful in applying for NSW Primary Industries “dollar-for-dollar” native fish stocking funding and, following the Carp Muster, will purchase native fingerlings and put them into the river.
The carp muster presentation was held at the Nyngan RSL Club on Saturday evening after the final fish were delivered to the collection point in Rotary Park.
Mr McClelland thanked his committee for its work in organising the day and credited the sponsors for their donations.
“Without you guys, we wouldn’t be able to have a day like we did with such great prizes,” he said.
The RSL Fishing Club monster raffle was also drawn on Saturday evening. There were 25 prize winners, and the main prize – a Quintrex 370 Outback Explorer boat with a Yamaha 15Hp motor – was won by Mark Cashion.
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