Clear the Carp - Stewart Park, Skipton

A student-led community fishing and environmental action day. Fishing clinics, ecology activities, cooking demonstrations, prizes and BBQ.

A Student-Led Event Making a Real Difference

Clear the Carp – Skipton is proudly led by the Grade 5/6 students from Skipton Primary School as part of their Student Voice project. These passionate young leaders have planned, organised and driven this event to support the health of Mount Emu Creek and bring their community together through fishing, learning and environmental action.

Building on the success of last year’s event, the students once again took the initiative to create something meaningful for their town. Fishcare Victoria is proud to be invited to support and value-add to an already outstanding, student-led project through our RFL-funded Catch a Carp program.

This event is a powerful example of young people leading positive change in their community.

An invitation from Skipton Primary School

Hello everyone, we are Grade 5/6 2026 at Skipton Primary School. Last year, our class organised a fishing competition, ‘Clear the Carp’, which saw 81 registered anglers remove 32 carp weighing 45 kg from the creek. So, partnered with the Stewart Park Committee of Management and supported by Fish Care, Oz Fish, and the Upper Mount Emu Creek Landcare Network, we are doing it again on Sunday, the 29/03/2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Stewart Park, Skipton.
There is going to be food, a BBQ and lots of prizes such as fishing and camping equipment. The categories are longest carp, smallest carp, mystery weight, most carp and weirdest catch. The age groups are under 5, under 13, under 18, and Open. If you are under 18 or over 70, you won’t need a fishing licence for this event. If you’re under 18, you will need a parent to sign you in to compete. Children under 10 years will need responsible adult supervision at all times.
On the day, no rod, no licence, no worries. Fish Care will have equipment available and clinics all day. If you are an adult and choose to participate with Fish Care, you won’t need a licence. As well, Oz Fish will deliver habitat and aquatic ecology workshops, and Keith Bell will be giving carp processing and cooking demonstrations.
We are doing this to help recover from the 2022 floods, when thousands of carp washed into our beloved Mt. Emu Creek from Lake Burrumbeet. The carp are disturbing the mud at the bottom of the creek, increasing turbidity and making it extremely difficult for the platypus to find food using sonar on their bills and to survive. The carp breed like crazy all year round. They eat native fish eggs and larvae that feed other native fish, birds, platypus, rakali, and turtles. They also disturb the vegetation on the creek banks where frogs and platypus live.
Don’t be the one who misses out!
By Vivienne, Maisie and Rocco

How Fishcare Is Supporting the Event

As part of the Catch a Carp project, Fishcare is working alongside the students to enhance the day with additional education and hands-on activities. Our role is to support, strengthen and celebrate the students’ vision — not replace it.

Through this partnership, we are bringing additional resources, expertise and partners to help maximise the impact of the day while keeping student leadership at the centre.

What’s On

Participants can enjoy a full day of fishing, learning and community connection, including:

Fishcare Fishing Clinics
Learn how to use fishing rods, target carp, and catch and handle fish responsibly. All equipment provided.

Habitat & Ecology Activities (OzFish)
Explore how carp affect waterways and what can be done to restore healthy habitats.

Carp Processing & Cooking (Keith Bell)
See how carp can be dispatched, processed and used safely and responsibly.

Fishing Competition & Prizes
Fun categories including longest carp, most carp, mystery weight and more.

BBQ and Community Activities
A relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere for all ages.

Why This Event Matters

Mount Emu Creek plays an important role in the local environment and community. Carp reduce water quality, damage habitat and impact native wildlife. By targeting carp and learning responsible fishing practices, participants are helping support the creek’s recovery.

Just as importantly, this event strengthens community pride, environmental awareness and youth leadership.

Celebrating Student Leadership

The Grade 5/6 students from Skipton Primary School have shown outstanding initiative, creativity and commitment in leading this project. From planning activities to engaging partners and promoting environmental responsibility, they have demonstrated what student voice in action looks like.

Fishcare is honoured to work alongside these young leaders and help amplify the impact of their work.

Get Involved

Whether you’re an experienced angler, a beginner, or just curious to learn more, Clear the Carp – Skipton is for you.

Come along on the day
Book a fishing clinic
Learn about carp and waterways
Support student leadership

Join us in celebrating these incredible students and helping protect Mount Emu Creek.