Bad summer helps new fishing season?

Bad summer helps new fishing season?

Fish & Game’s expectations of a great new trout fishing season are about to be put to their first test, as anglers flock to the Rotorua lakes for the October 1 opening.

Eastern Region Fish & Game says that in many ways, conditions in the 12 months leading up to the opening have made prospects for the central North Island, perhaps as good as they’ve ever been.

Last summer’s atrocious weather helped fish to grow much better than normal, say the fish-rearing experts at Fish & Game’s Eastern Region headquarters and hatchery at Ngongotaha, which looks after the Rotorua lakes fishery.

The conditions that made it hard for most people to get outdoors - in particular all the rain we’ve had - produced the right mix of climatic and environmental factors to grow some “very high quality fish,” says Manager Rob Pitkethley.

“In lakes across the region there have been great food supplies, and the cooler summer and warmer autumn temperatures have promoted good vigorous trout growth.

“In the stocked lakes of Tarawera, Okataina, and Rotoiti in particular, the many thousands of fish we released last year will be the majority of what anglers catch this season, and will have had the benefit of these great conditions.”

Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says that “as usual, most of the fish caught will be two year old hatchery-bred fish – and this is the first crack that most anglers will get at them.”

Fish measured from Lake Tarawera in June for example, at the end of last season, indicate these rising two year-olds will be about 2.5 cm longer than the year before, with an average weight of about 1.8kg.

“Three year olds which were released in the spring of 2010, which have spent two years in the lake, will also be longer than the same age fish last opening, and regaining condition after spawning.

“These fish were in top condition when they ran through the Te Wairoa trap at Lake Tarawera during the spawning season, but some may still be feeding up on smelt back in the main body of the lake.”

Armed even with just a spinning rod, spring is a good time to be a little adventuresome and visit a few places off the beaten trout trails, away from the renowned ‘big fish’ lakes like Tarawera.

Eastern Region Fish & Game officers say that spring’s a good time to visit some lesser-known or smaller lakes like Okaro, Ngapouri or Rerewhakaaitu. Insect activity is on the increase and the first smelt are spawning, so hungry trout can be found patrolling off weed beds and drop-offs.
Spin or fly fishing from the shore, or casting back into the shore from a small boat are good methods, they say. As the water temperatures are still cold this time of year, you can expect to find trout on or near the surface. Stream mouths are always a good place to find fish, although at this time of year some will be recovering “post spawners”.

Fish & Game has also taken steps to create more fishing opportunities for anglers in the Rotorua lakes over summer.

Acting on feedback from angling clubs and individuals, changes have been made to the regulations for the coming season.

“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,” Mr Pitkethley says.

The first of the changes kicks in from October 1, 2012, as the new fishing season gets underway. Shoreline fishing areas on Lake Tarawera that were traditionally fly fishing only all season, will now be open to spin fishing until the main autumn fishing pressure builds, and they’ll become fly fishing only areas from April 1.

“This brings Tarawera into line with the rules for Rotoiti and Okataina,” says Mr Pitkethely, “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. Anglers are advised to check their regulation guide for other changes that will apply during the season or call Fish & Game for clarification.

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