Hundreds of Trout to be Released at 'Urban Fishing' Spot

Auckland / Waikato Fish & Game is preparing to release hundreds of catchable trout into Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore tomorrow (Wednesday 27 April).

The tanker load of two year-old trout (trout of this size have more chance of surviving against pest fish in the lake) are from Fish & Game’s Rotorua hatchery. The 1000 rainbows and 100 brown trout - will be released at Sylvan Park at around mid-day.

The release is in advance of an angling competition on Sunday May 1 - Lake Pupuke Challenge - run by North Shore Fly Fishers Club and Trout Unlimited. The contest provides Fish & Game valuable information on fish numbers, size and condition.

Lake Pupuke was first stocked with rainbow trout in the 1880s, the first lake to be stocked in New Zealand, but as its water quality declined so did its attraction as a trout fishing lake.

Today its water quality has improved dramatically due to Auckland Regional Council’s environmental work in the lake’s catchment area.

The Council says that real improvements began from the late 1960s onwards when all wastewater in the lake’s catchment area was reticulated and diverted away, and they ceased pumping water out of the lake.

There are about eight species of fish in the lake including trout, perch, tench, rudd and catfish. A sports fishing licence is required to fish for trout, perch, tench and rudd, which can be purchased from sports shops or online at: www.fishandgame.org.nz