Media release from Wellington Fish & Game

Wellington anglers praised for help in trout research

Angler Murray Bowler releasing tagged trout (Photo Aaron Mclean)

Local anglers are helping Wellington Fish & Game tag rainbow and brown trout to give deeper insights into the health of river systems in the region.

Wellington Fish & Game Regional Manager Phil Teal says the anglers have been great in getting behind the project. “The trout are marked with a small numbered tag, and their length and weight details noted.

“If and when they are caught again we’ll have information on how far they have travelled and the growth rates for that particular river.”

Mr Teal says this provides valuable information about the health of the river system as trout are a key indicator species of good water quality.

The trout tagging is being carried out in the Manawatu, Ruamahanga, and Rangitikei river catchments. “So far local anglers have already tagged a few hundred fish, so we’re very appreciative of their efforts. I think it might actually give them an extra excuse to head off fishing.”

Mr Teal adds that Fish & Game is keen to hear from any anglers who catch one of the tagged trout, together with accurate information on length, weight and where it was caught. The tags can be identified by a small yellow tag with an individual number.

Tagged trout Wellington region.

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