Locals fished over 1800 fish out of Lake Cargelligo over the weekend for a 'carp-a-thon' raising money towards new playing grounds for the area's junior rugby league club.  

Up to 170 people came out on Saturday 15 March to remove the invasive European Carp from the lake.

Fishers in the junior and senior sections vied to catch the longest, heaviest carp, with prizes including swags, a pizza oven and a kayak on the line. 

"There used to be a Fisherama run locally, but it folded. So, we thought 'why not run a smaller one and just target carp?'" Lake Cargelligo Junior Rugby League Club (Sharks) president Carl Vagg said.

"They're definitely a dominant species in the waterways, which is a bit unfortunate. There's a lot of fish that the older blokes talk about catching quite a few of back in the day that you just don't see anymore."

The Fisherama folded in 2024 after organisers failed to form a committee.

At 83 centimetres, Billy Kelly took the longest carp in the under 14s junior section. IMAGE: Facebook/ Lake Cargelligo JRL Carp-a-thon

Local electrical service owner Kris Hasse caught the longest and heaviest carp, weighing 6.45 kilograms and measuring 84 centimetres.

Participants on Saturday were also given tickets to raffle prizes for each carp they caught.

Mr Vagg said the funds will help provide more playing space for the growing club.

"We've currently got around 150-odd kids, that sometimes varies up to 180 odd kids registered each year for the junior rugby league," Mr Vagg said.

"These days, with a large female participation in the junior rugby league, we believe we're struggling for ground space."

Mr Vagg said he hopes the club can run the carp buster again next year.

The carp were disposed at a local site operated by Lachlan Shire Council.