Angling for trout from Sunday

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Sunday, October 1, is arguably the most important day of the year for a trout angler as it marks the start of the new trout fishing season here.

The Rotorua region offers some of the best lake and stream fishing in the country and the season traditionally kicks off with a bang when hundreds of anglers get out on to the rivers and lakes.

“The lakes are closed over the winter period and that not only gives the spawning fish a bit of a rest period but creates an anticipation too for our anglers. Opening day usually produces some good fishing as the rested fish tend to be a little more naive,” says Fish & Game’s Matt Osborne.

Last season, all of the lakes in the Eastern Fish & Game region performed well with a great balance of catch rate and fish size, Mr Osborne said. Lake Waikaremoana, which is popular with Gisborne fishers and is usually open year-round, producing some excellent trout during autumn and winter. But this year it was closed at times and access was limited due to the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle and the extremely wet autumn and winter.

“While the fishing is normally terrific, the weather over the past season has been horrific. We are hoping for a settled period through spring and summer so people can get out and enjoy all the benefits that trout fishing brings to this well-rested lake.”

Fish & Game supports family inclusion with a specific licence for families that can include a partner to the primary licence holder and up to four children or grandchildren under the age of 18. Licences are on sale now, and anglers are encouraged to check out the variety of options available to ensure they get the most suitable and best-value licence for their needs.

Fish & Game have received positive angling reports from the upper East Coast rivers following last summer’s flooding and the additional wet weather over the winter. But anglers should do their homework on roading access and river conditions in the lead-up to opening.

It will be important for anglers and other lake users to remember the check, clean and dry message as we roll into summer too, says Fish & Game.

“Ensuring we all do our part and keep local waterways pest free is critical for our continued enjoyment of the natural resource.”