7/4/2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game

Fish & Game releases fish for school holidays

Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game has brought forward its release of trout into Lake Pupuke – in response to requests from parents and grandparents who are looking to entertain kids over the school holidays.

The release of 1,100 trout is set down for Thursday April 9, 2015.

Fish will be released around mid-day from Fish & Game’s live trout truck from the edge of the lake in Sylvan Park.

“Fish releases can be quite entertaining with two-year-old trout darting all over the place,” says Auckland/Waikato Fisheries Manager Adam Daniel.

“Fish leave the tanker completely disoriented often resting against the shallow lake edge which gives plenty of opportunity for children to see and touch fish.

“Many of the kids attending in previous years couldn’t help themselves from touching fish and getting wet – so parents attending with eager children should plan accordingly.”

Dr Daniel says that fish will eventually be pushed into deeper water with help from staff, volunteers and Daisy the “fish dispersal labrador.”

Daisy is owned by Adam Daniel and is used to chase fish out of the release area to prevent the local shags from turning them into a quick meal.

The early release will give kids plenty of time to hone their skills for the Lake Pupuke Challenge Fishing Competition on May 3, when trout can be caught from the lake edge using spinners, soft baits or fly casting.

Younger anglers who have not learned to cast may have better luck using bait suspended under a float.

Fish & Game notes that anyone fishing for sports fish needs a valid licence but children under 11 can get one free and juniors (12-17 years old) can buy a licence at a reduced cost.

Fishing licences can be purchased from most fishing retailers or from Fish & Game’s website (http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/content/fishing-licence-info).

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