Countdown on to summer's extra fishing

Some great stream fishing is now only days away – as popular Lake Rotorua and Waikaremoana tributaries open for summer angling.

From December 1, 2013, Fish & Game will re-open some important fishing streams which have been closed over the spawning season.

Around Rotorua they are the upper sections of the Ngongotaha Stream (above SH 5), Waiteti (above Hamurana Road) and Utuhina (between Devon Road and Pukehangi Road).

Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says the streams are closed from the end of June through winter because they are really important for the natural or wild spawning that occurs over the period.

Lake Rotorua has excellent natural spawning streams that are well protected so essentially unlike the other popular lakes of Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti, Rotorua is a wild fishery and we only release around 1000 tagged fish into it each year – for monitoring purposes only.”

Mr Osborne says prospects look excellent with Lake Rotorua fish showing some significant improvements in their condition. “There will be some really nice-conditioned fish around in good numbers after the December 1 opening, as the streams have had five months of rest.”

Big brown trout have already begun moving up the streams, he says, as they seek out cooler water away from Lake Rotorua’s rising temperatures.

The browns appear to be heading upstream around two weeks earlier than normal because the lake is warmer for this time of year. The Ngongotaha fish trap run for early November has shown the brown trout averaging around 3kg with a 6kg fish being the largest weighed.

Mr Osborne says that the Ngongotaha Stream is looking good for the opening as a number of snags have disappeared to leave the waterway pretty clear of obstructions.

Fish & Game officers will be checking licences as the streams open and in the weeks that follow, taking the opportunity to chat to a number of anglers.

Most will be nymphing using hairy-type fly patterns or perhaps globugs, before moving later in summer to cicada-type dry flies.

But our tip for anglers would be to get out on the streams in the early morning or late evening, Mr Osborne says.

He notes that as of December 1, anglers can spin fish the section of the Utuhina Stream between Devon Road and Pukehangi Road Bridge. The upper Ngongotaha Stream remains fly fishing only, as this area receives the highest fishing pressure in the region.

The other streams that open on December 1 are the Hopuruahine and Mokau Streams running into Lake Waikaremoana. These streams are closed for the early spring to protect late running fish, but when open they provide anglers visiting these areas the chance to target some of the resident fish that stay over the summer.

“The fishing in the lower reaches of these streams over the summer can produce some excellent fish and further up the scenery can provide a fantastic respite from the lake if it gets too busy,” Mr Osborne says.

Mr Osborne says that as you move around your favourite rivers, streams and lakes this summer, please don’t forget the CCD message – check, clean and dry. Check your fishing gear, waders, along with boats and trailers for any ‘hangers-on’ such as weed fragments.

It’s all about some simple measures to keep our lakes free from plant and fish pests, he adds.

“Please contact us with any questions about the streams that are opening, for information on other regulations and of course, fishing tips – if you need them.”

ENDS

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