What to bring:

• All fishing equipment: 
  • rods and hand reels allowed, no nets 
  • tackle (hooks will be de-barbed onsite, lures are not allowed)
  • bucket
  • bait: we recommend worms or meal worms. Please don’t bring bread as this can harm other animals in Anderson Gardens, such as ducks.
•  Water bottle.

What to wear:

• Hat, sunglasses, long-sleeve shirt and enclosed shoes. 

What to expect:

• Check in to start fishing!
  • Head to Tilapia HQ to check in, get your hook de-barbed (to protect the local turtles), and make your way to the fishing ponds. From 8:30am to 11am, it’s game on. Reel in as many tilapia as you can and help take down Townsville’s most widespread invasive fish species.
• Measure up then explore. 
  • Once you’re finished fishing, bring your catch back to Tilapia HQ where we’ll count your fish and measure your longest tilapia. Then take some time to explore the information stalls, meet local experts, learn more about invasive species, and grab a tasty snag from the Lions BBQ. Fuel up between casts with Cool Beans Coffee Pod, serving a range of hot and cold drinks for purchase throughout the event.
• Stay for the awards and win great prizes.
  • The excitement continues with the awards ceremony around 11:45am. Will you land the longest tilapia of the day? Or will your crew claim the title of Takedown Team for catching the most fish? Fantastic prizes are up for grabs. 

Parking and access:

• Limited parking is available in Anderson Gardens, entry via Gulliver Street.
• Additional parking is available on Wellington Street, with pedestrian access into Anderson Gardens closest to Wellington Street and Decourcey Street intersection, and Wellington Street and Burdekin Street intersection.

How to book:

• There will be two ticket options: angler and spectator.
  • Angler is for anyone who throws a line in.
    • Each angler will need to add their name and select the relevant age category.
    • When there's more than one angler per booking, they'll automatically be grouped for the Takedown Team award.
    • Parents - this is only for you if you are also competing.
    • The number of anglers has been capped for safety around the ponds.
  • Spectator is anyone tagging along, such as parents and siblings who won't be fishing. This is to ensure we have enough snags at the BBQ.
    • If you select angler tickets first, select 'Buy more tickets' from your cart to add spectators. No details are required for spectators, though it may show angler details again before the final booking page.

Every fish caught makes a difference. Tilapia removed during the Takedown will be collected by Townsville City Council and recycled through the Healthy Soils program, helping improve the health of both our waterways and local soils.

This event runs under a special permit provided by Department of Primary Industries. Tilapia is a restricted noxious fish under the Biosecurity Act 2014. Penalties apply if you keep it, feed it, give it away, sell it or release it in into the environment.

Please note, fishing is not allowed in Anderson Gardens at any other time.

Location

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