Trout by the bucketload released in lower Kaimais

Lake Mc Laren and the Ruahihi Canal in the lower Kaimais will soon have hundreds more trout growing fat enough for local anglers to target.

Fish & Game has carried out its annual release of 700 trout into the lake and canal, with Tauranga anglers and their families assisting.

Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says the fish released this time last year are now at a catchable size, and this year’s fish will be nice and fat in another year’s time.

Lake Mc Laren and the canal is a good local fishery for Western Bay of Plenty locals, he says, a “perfect place to take a kid for his or her first fishing lessons using simple spin fishing techniques.”

The shoreline fishing on offer is accessible and fairly safe if parents and caregivers are taking the usual precautions for children around water, he says.

We would suggest that Tauranga locals consider the purchase of a family licence which permits two adults and two children or grandchildren to fish under the one licence, while the primary licence holder can still fish on their own, Mark says.

Mark Sherburn says while 700 might not sounds like a lot of fish, compared with some of their larger releases into the Rotorua lakes, this is in fact a high stocking rate, “although as with any lake, this doesn’t necessarily translate into a high catch rate.”

He says the Tauranga Angler's Club members as always, turned out to help with the annual release, helping carry fish by bucket from the tank on the back of a Fish & Game ute. “We love their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to their local fishery.”

Angler’s Club President Richard Thomson says it was a great turnout with more than more than 20 people and a number of children helping release the trout.

Lake Mc Laren offers year round fishing with a bag limit of two trout and no size restriction. The lake and canal are stocked with rainbow and brown trout but also have some wild fish. There are plenty of spots for fly or spin fishing from the shore but fishing from motorised craft is not permitted.
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