Media release from Eastern Fish & Game

Still good trout prospects, especially if the weather turns ugly

Winter fishing may have slowed up a bit recently but there are still some good-sized trout to be caught around Rotorua’s lakes and streams – if anglers choose their conditions.

Fish & Game officers gauge spawning activity by the number of fish caught in specially designed fish traps. Fish & Game officer Matt Osborne says 665 fish have run through the Te Wairoa fish trap at Lake Tarawera so far, which is about on a par with this time last year. Going by the numbers, it appears that the spawning season will end up a “low to moderate” one.  In an average year about 800 fish are caught in the Te Wairoa trap, with 1400 in an exceptional spawning season.    

Mr Osborne says that anglers targeting spawning fish can improve their prospects by heading out in rainy, cold and stormy weather. “We advise anglers to look for those conditions, where you’d really rather be tucked up warmly at home.” The evening change of light is probably the best time to fish.   

Work in the hatchery to raise the first of 150,000 fish to re-stock North Island lakes, is in full swing. Fish & Game officer Lloyd Gledhill says the best fish from the trap are used; the eggs are stripped from the females and fertilised before being placed in hatching trays. “We are seeing eggs of nice quality and fertility.”

ENDS

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