Sport
16 November, 2025
Hundreds of tilapia caught
THIS year’s annual tilapia tournament at Warrina Lakes was a resounding success, with a record number of 710 anglers casting lines and 604 pesky fish removed from the local waterways.
Families from Brisbane, Tully and Mission Beach, along with visiting families participated in the event held from 2-4 October over the school holidays.
Tilapia, known as the ‘cane toad of our waterways,’ are a declared noxious fish, which are such a pest and a biohazard, from the point of view of them spreading further around the region.
Tilapia, an introduced ornamental fish in the 1960s have adapted extremely well to our waterways.
These fish are hardy and very tolerant of poor water quality, pollution, low oxygen levels and all sorts of water temperatures and are successful breeders that can exist in extremely high populations.
These declared noxious fish pose a threat to native fish stocks and the environment. It is imperative to eradicate the numbers of these destructive fish, to keep the local waterways healthy and productive for future generations.
Although Warrina Lakes is not normally open for fishing, the aim of the tournament is to significantly reduce tilapia numbers in the lake environment.
The event’s success was made possible through the generous support of 32 local sponsors, who contributed over $9,600 in prizes and managed activities such as face painting and a sausage sizzle.
A special mention to Bek & Joe’s Donuts, Innisfail Mini Rail for the barbecue and Goodstart Early Learning who helped to create a family-friendly atmosphere.
Award winners:
Tilapia tadpole (5 years and under) longest fish: Spencer Torrisi 29cm and Elani Di Maria 28cm
Tilapia tadpole (5 years most caught fish): Quinn Odgers 29 and Elani Di Maria 13
Tilapia trapper (6-12 years) most fish caught: Benson Lizzio 25 and Nellie Odgers 30
Tilapia trapper (6-12 years) longest fish: Reef Dickson 31cm and Jessica Tammiku 28 cm
Tilapia teen (13-18 years) most fish: Kristopher Pervan 34
Tilapia tamer most fish overall: Kristopher Pervan 34
Tilapia teen 13-18 years longest fish: Bailey Aldridge and Cameron Gorlick 29 cm
Tilapia teen (13-18 years) Most fish: Ella Picini 7
Tilapia teen (13-18 years) longest fish: Ella Picini 28.5 cm
Tip to toe longest fish overall: Reef Dickson 31 cm
Friday family prize overall fish: McSwan family 23
Safety and sportsmanship: Aria Anastasi, Isla Gauchi, Chase Stanley and Lucian Di Carlo
Best school: Goondi State School.
Jameson Martin, London Mooka, Jack Hoddle, Jaxson Kunes, Cody Ferrau, Maddison McSwan, Lincoln Bugeja, Abbi Spence, Jayden Cotteral, Ryan Stoter, Anthony Kyle, Thomas Ridolfi, Reilan Martin, Leo Nelson and Sienna Rust received awards for demonstrating exceptional consistency, persistence and encouragement throughout the competition.
Read More: Innisfail