Media release from Taranaki Fish & Game

Join us - for your kid to catch their first trout, says Fish & Game

Taranaki children are again being offered the chance to catch their first trout, “with a little help.”

Taranaki Fish & Game is reminding local communities of a series of supervised ‘kids’ fish out’ events which are being held this weekend.

Fish & Game officer Allen Stancliff says that for some children, it’s the start of a great outdoor pursuit they’ll follow growing up – as they’re seized by the excitement and satisfaction that freshwater sports fishing can provide.

“When you see the big smiles of kids who’ve caught their first fish, you can’t doubt the value of fishing as a recreation that so many Kiwis have taken up,” he says.

Mr Stancliff says that with three events run in conjunction with local fishing clubs, one in New Plymouth and Opunake, and another in Wanganui, there is plenty of scope for people to get their children along to one. “And they’re free of charge, although there's a $2 donation sought at Opunake to help with the cost of spot prizes.” Fish & Game issues an authority that allows kids to fish for free during the fish-outs. 

The 700 rainbow for the three events will be trucked over from Fish & Game’s hatchery in Rotorua on Friday (October 18), for release into a netted area of lakes Rotomanu, Opunake and Wiritoa.

“Other anglers benefit too because at the end of the event, the nets are removed and the remaining trout are available for any licensed angler to fish for.”   

Mr Stancliff says that where older children interested in fishing are concerned, licences are cheap to buy. Whole season licences are free to children aged under 12 on October 1, while licences for 2 to 17 year olds are only $24. A 24-hour licence for this age group is just under $7.

Taranaki Region - kids trout fishing events

The three events this weekend (Sat, October 19) are on at New Plymouth’s Lake Rotomanu, Opunake Lake and Wanganui’s Lake Wiritoa.  Another fish out will be held at Stratford in the new year. 

Opunake

Fish & Game is providing 200 two year-old rainbows in conjunction with the Opunake Sports Fishing & Angling Club and More FM for the fish out day at Opunake Lake, also on Saturday October 19. Trout will be corralled into a holding net along the lake shore near the inlet canal, and kids will fish with the help of local anglers. The event will run from 9.30am until 2pm, and anglers should turn up at the lake to book a time-slot. Opunake Lake receives additional releases of rainbow trout yearlings raised at Fish & Game’s Hawera hatchery, but also contains wild browns up to 2.8kg from the adjacent Waiaua River. Opunake Lake and the Waiaua River downstream of SH45 are open all year to fishing with fly, spin and bait.

Wanganui

Fish & Game will release 250 two year-old rainbow trout into a netted-off area in Lake Wiritoa adjacent to Scoutlands Beach, for a kids’ fishing day on Saturday October 19. The event is open to kids 12 years-old and under, with all fishing gear supplied. Please register your interest at Wilsons Hunting & Outdoors in Victoria Ave, Wanganui. Lake Wiritoa contains a good population of rainbow trout and perch and is open to all-year angling with fly, spin and bait. Nearby Lake Kohata also supports a good perch fishery and is open year round to anglers.

ENDS

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