Biggest Fish in Years for Trout Opening, says Fish & Game

Eastern Region Fish & Game officers were expecting to measure more than 1000 trout by the end of today – with some of the biggest fish in years weighed in as the new trout season got into full swing.

Hundreds of anglers flocked to Lake Tarawera in particular from early yesterday, shrugging off grey windy weather to land good-sized fish in excellent condition.

Fish & Game Eastern Region Manager Rob Pitkethley says staff and helpers interviewed well over 800 anglers and measured and weighed more than 900 fish.

“With our officers on the job again today we will crack the 1000 fish mark – a great sample to see how the trout growth rates over the last 12 months compare with previous years.”

The gloomy weather conditions on Lake Tarawera produced some good fishing, Rob says. “We measured three fish for every two anglers we spoke to – which indicated catch rates were good and most boats finished the day with at least a few meals worth to get the new season going.”

The quality of the fish was excellent, much improved from last year’s opening, and some big two year-old fish were measured. Others yet to be caught will still be growing well into the summer, he says.

“The size improvement was noticed by many of the anglers we spoke to so everyone is feeling good about what the season will bring.”

Surveys on Lake Rotoiti showed that the fishing there seemed to start well but became harder as the day progressed. But despite the slow-down in catch rates we still measured four fish for every five anglers we surveyed, Rob says.

“So for Lake Rotoiti this indicated catch rates which looked to be better than we have seen for the last eight years.

“Lake Rotoiti is a lake where catch rates tend to improve as the season progresses, with the most productive time being late summer and into the autumn, so this bodes well for the season. ”

Fish & Game expected this improvement, Rob says, after increasing the number of fish liberated there in response to the lake’s increased popularity.

“It’s good news that anglers are seeing the benefits of this. The fish appeared to be of a good size with the largest fish from Rotoiti weighed in at four kgs – the biggest Opening Day fish from this lake we have seen for nearly a decade.”

This also points to good things for later in the season with the largest fish typically coming out of the lake in the late summer, and from autumn shoreline fly fishing, Rob says.

Lake Okataina was the other lake which opened after a three month winter break and Fish & Game staff interviewed over 100 anglers yesterday. The fishers reported that fishing was pretty tough with catch rates below average, and many commenting that high lake levels had made things different to normal. The quality of the fish was pleasing however, with anglers looking forward to better fishing in the next few weeks.

Fish & Game officers found a high level of compliance with the regulations with only one offence detected yesterday. Officers will continue their vigilance, monitoring the lakes over the summer to make sure the rules are followed, Rob says.

Rob Pitkethley says it’s pleasing to see Fish & Game’s earlier forecasts borne out. “Given that we had a warm autumn and winter water temperatures were up on normal, we expected to see some good fish this season. The first day certainly points to the fact that trout growth has been well above average for the last six months.”

“There is plenty of high quality fishing opportunity coming over the season and Fish & Game urges anglers to make the most of the good-conditioned trout that are around.”