Rules revamp boosts fishing opportunity

Rules revamp boosts fishing opportunity

Fish & Game says a review of some fishing rules will create lots more summer opportunities for anglers to fish the Rotorua lakes.

The Eastern Region Fish and Game Council has reviewed the rules to make them easier to understand and apply more consistently across the key lake shoreline areas and the upper Utuhina Stream.

Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says the Angler’s Notice is reviewed annually, and this year there was a healthy response from both anglers’ clubs and individuals.

“We’ve taken on board the comments and acted on them, and the proposed changes have now been approved by both the Eastern Region Fish and Game Council and Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

“The changes are good news for both veteran anglers and newcomers to the sport, providing more opportunities for anglers – especially for spin fishing over the summer months.”

The first of the changes will apply from October 1st, 2012, when the new fishing season gets underway. “Shoreline fishing areas on Lake Tarawera that were traditionally fly fishing only all summer will now be open to spin fishing until the main autumn fishing pressure builds and they will become fly fishing only areas from 1 April,” Matt Osborne says.

“This brings Tarawera into line with the rules for Rotoiti and Okataina, and will promote opportunity for kids and summer holidaymakers to spin fish.” In addition, on Tarawera, the Waitangi and Otumutu Lagoon Stream mouths will be open year-round to angling.

On Lake Rotoiti, more angling opportunity has been gained by extending the winter shoreline fishing areas on Lake Rotoiti to include Hauparu and Tapuaekura Bays that had previously closed from the end of June. This will help spread some of the winter congestion that occurs along the Rotoiti shoreline and provide more opportunity for winter fly fishing.

For anglers closer to Rotorua, spin fishing will be permitted in the Utuhina Stream between Devon Street Bridge and Pukehangi Road Bridge when this area opens on 1 December. “This is one of the changes to spin fishing regulations we hope will help encourage more youngsters into the sport,” Mr Osborne says.

With these changes occuring it’s essential that anglers make themselves familiar with the new rules; please obtain a copy of the North Island Sport Fishing Regulations for 2012-2013, to see how the changes affect you, Mr Osborne says.

“If in any doubt, please contact us at Fish & Game and we’ll be happy to advise you.” Phone us on 07-357 5501.

For more information visit www.fishandgame.org.nz/eastern

ENDS

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