Heat wave fires up summer fishing

The hot weather is producing some top notch fishing at Lake Rotorua’s stream mouths.

Lake Rotorua’s surface temperatures have at times reached the mid-twenties, resulting in large numbers of fish heading into the tributary streams in search of cooler water.

When lake temperatures top 19 degrees, trout become uncomfortable and seek “thermal refuge.”

Lake Rotorua is shallow, unlike many of the other Rotorua lakes, which does not allow trout to go deep to cooler water so they head for the cool stream inflows.

Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says that trapping on the Ngongotaha Stream has confirmed these movements; back in late December, 179 brown trout were counted on one night including six fish over 10lb and the heaviest a 6.1kg specimen.

Fish have also congregated at the mouths of streams including Hamurana and Awahou.

Mr Sherburn says this has created an excellent opportunity for shore-based anglers around the stream mouths, and for anglers trolling 200 metres from the stream mouths, as required by the regulations.

After a relatively cool spring, the recent heat wave has other Rotorua lakes fishing well too. The thermocline on the lakes (where the most rapid temperature change occurs within the depth of water column) currently sits between 10-15 metres, which is five to 10 metres shallower than normal for this time of year.

Mr Sherburn says that one angler reported he’d had the best January on Lake Rotoiti “for many years,” noting that he and his companions caught 24 fish jigging in just under two hours in an evening session.

The Lake Waikaremoana fishery has also been affected by warm temperatures. Cruising browns are present for a couple of hours after dawn when the lake is at its coolest, after which deeper fishing methods such as sinking lines, spinning and trolling work productively.

Mr Sherburn says high country rivers are running low and clear and dry flies are working well. Cicada are on the wing, and this looks likely to create some exciting action later in summer.

“Phone or email for any tips on what to use on the lake or the rivers – we’re only too glad to pass on our knowledge.”

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