Katherine teen’s $1 million win after noticing something unique on his fish catch

A teenager became an instant millionaire after reeling in a barramundi that was part of the Northern Territory’s Million Dollar Fish competition.

Keegan Payne, a “mad-keen” fisherman, caught the prize 67cm barra on the Katherine River with friends and family in April.

The 19-year-old called the competition hotline, ecstatic that his whole life was about to change.

“We were freaking out, nearly crashed the boat into the boat ramp,” Payne said.

Hundreds of barramundi worth either $1,000,000 or $10,000 are released into various Northern Territory waterways for the annual competition designed in partnership with the NT Government to attract tourism to the region.

At the beginning of season nine, event sponsor Sportsbet said a number of new initiatives would guarantee a winner but said details would be released later.

Sportsbet released 80 of the million-dollar fish in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Tiwi Islands to increase the chances of someone reeling in a major prize.

Payne worked two jobs and said his family of eight, like many others across the country, were tight for money.

“Now with a million dollars, we don’t have to complain about it,” he joked.

“I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans.”

Payne said his family were planning a trip to the United States, and he was hoping to buy a new boat and car.

Season nine of Million Dollar Fish ended at midnight on April 30 and nine fishing enthusiasts caught $10,000 worth of prize money each. One competitor caught two $10,000 fish.

Season 10 started in October and, within just one week, the number was matched.

By the third week of Season 10, NT fisherman George Voukolus caught his third $10,000 fish in nine seasons — taking his total winnings to $30,000.

The 54-year-old has become a local legend, reeling in six red-tagged barra since 2016 – three of which were eligible for cash prizes and three that were out of season.

Voukolus has caught all of his fish in the Daly River, about 140km south of Darwin.

His success began in Season 2 when he caught a 64 cm barra, his first red-tagged $10,000 fish.

He followed that up in Season 3 with another victory, reeling in a 70 cm barra as his second $10,000 catch.

Million Dollar Fish Season 10 runs until March 31, 2025.

The competition is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company and supported by Sportsbet and is open to people aged 18 and over.

Registration is free and also enters anglers automatically into a monthly draw, valued over $79,000.

While typically only one red-tagged fish is worth $1,000,000, to celebrate Season 10 10,000,000 were released.

Since the start of Season 10, 16 barramundi with $10,000 red tags have been caught.

This leaves 83 barra with $10,000 red tags, along with 10 fish sporting a million-dollar tag in NT waterways.

Once a million-dollar fish is caught, all other million-dollar tagged fish will revert to $10,000 fish until the season ends.

As Million Dollar Fish’s official charity partner, Cancer Council NT receives $1,000 for every $10,000 tagged fish caught, which has resulted in total donations of $16,000 so far in 2024.

Payne also chose to donate $10,000 to Cancer Council NT.

Altogether, $176,000 has been paid out since Season 10 began on October 1.