Good news for anglers on Rotorua lakes as Easter holiday looms

Fishing prospects on the Rotorua lakes appear to be improving just in time for an influx of Easter holidaymakers, according to Fish & Game.

Eastern Fish & Game staff say there have been encouraging reports from several lakes – where healthy numbers of fish have been caught in excellent condition. One trout caught in Lake Rotoiti recently weighed in at nearly 4.5kg.

During angler boat surveys on Sunday at Lake Okataina, Fish & Game Officer Nigel Simpson spoke to 28 anglers and inspected their catch. Twenty-three fish had been caught by boaties, several around the three kilo mark, and others from about two to three kilos. Another eight had been caught and released.

“Some were saying the day before had been even better,”says Mr Simpson. “A number of smaller fish had been caught, but they had been in spectacular condition – the shape of a rugby ball.

“People had reported that some of these smaller fish had fought so hard they thought they’d hooked bigger fish.”

Mr Simpson says that there were some really happy anglers around, and one Irish tourist who’s been coming to Rotorua for 35 years said his trip had been one of the best in that time.

Lake Rotoiti has been one of the standouts among the Rotorua lakes, with some bursts of excellent fishing. A Te Puke based club held a contest in mid-March across several lakes and the best trout were hauled from Lake Rotoiti – six of them weighed in over two kilos, the biggest coming in at 2.8kgs. One angler on a solo fishing trip landed a 4.4kg trout from the lake around the same time.

Fish & Game officers are reminding anglers of changes to the rules on spin fishing from the shorelines - and boat fishing on Lake Rotoiti - which kick in from Easter Monday, April 1. Certain areas where spinning was permitted are about to change over to fly fishing only.

At Lake Tarawera for example, the tributary stream mouths – marked by black, yellow and white landmark poles – will be fly fishing only from April 1 until October 1.

Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says spin fishing enthusiasts are assured that these spots will be spinnable again from October 1, and there are lots of other areas where spin fishing is still permitted.

Boat anglers on Lake Rotoiti are also reminded that no boat fishing is permitted within Ruato Bay between the landmark poles on the eastern and western ends of the Bay extending 200m north, from April 1.

Mr Osborne says anglers who have any doubts about the regulations should consult their North Island sports fishing regulations booklet, call the Eastern office, or visit www.fishandgame.org.nz

ends

© Scoop Media