Darwin Man Wins Million-Dollar Fish in Northern Territory Competition

A casual night out fishing with family turned into a life-changing event for a Darwin man who landed a million-dollar fish in the Northern Territory. Matthew Maurice, a 26-year-old resident, secured the grand prize after reeling in an 80-centimetre barramundi during a late-evening boat trip.

According to The Guardian, Maurice had just finished football training on a Thursday evening and decided to take a boat out less than a kilometre from the local boat ramp with his sibling, who was visiting from overseas. The brothers had intended simply to spend time together and catch up rather than chase a major prize.

Catching the Million-Dollar Fish

As Maurice fought to pull the creature from the water, he turned on his head torch and immediately noticed a bright red tag attached to the fish’s silvery body. The discovery signaled a major win in the Northern Territory’s ongoing Million Dollar Fish competition.

Following the catch, Maurice submitted his prize-winning barramundi and received official confirmation from Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, who reportedly told him she was about to deliver the best news of his life.

Competition Details and Future Plans

Maurice is only the second person in the 12-year history of the tourism initiative to claim the top prize. A local man from Katherine, Keegan Payne, secured a $1 million fish three years prior.

The Million Dollar Fish initiative is sponsored by Tourism & Events Northern Territory to promote the region’s fishing experiences. The competition features 100 fish carrying $10,000 prizes alongside the single top reward. Organizers confirmed that the event runs through March 31, 2027, with numerous tagged barramundi still swimming in Top End waterways.

Reflecting on his unexpected fortune during a press conference, Maurice stated that he plans to use the money wisely by purchasing a house, clearing outstanding debts, and treating himself.

Source: Million-dollar fish caught by Darwin man ‘just fishing and talking’ at night with brother (source-feed timestamp 2026-11-02T03:45:51+00:00). AI-assisted report based on the cited linked article and its RSS feed; details were not independently verified.