More trout released in Northland

Northland Fish & Game manager Rudi Hoetjes releasing fish into the Opouteke River.

Northland's trout fishery stocks have been boosted with the release of 2000 trout fingerlings into lakes, rivers and reservoirs across the region.

The 2000 young trout arrived this week from Fish & Game's hatchery near Ngongotaha in Rotorua. Fish & Game's Northland manager Rudi Hoetjes said 300 1-year-old fingerlings were released into Wilson's Dam and another 100 into Whau Valley Dam. While boats were prohibited on both reservoirs, they offered excellent shore-based winter fishing, he said.

He said Fish & Game decided to release rainbow trout into Wilson's Dam in an effort to make it more attractive to anglers. "Previously we'd only stocked the dam with browns [trout] but anglers have found them difficult to catch, so by adding rainbows we hope to encourage more anglers to use the reservoir," Mr Hoetjes said.

Fish were also released into rivers and streams that already hold trout, "but they've have been affected over the past few years from drought and significant flash floods that followed".

Between 200 and 500 of the young trout were released into five Northland streams.

Mr Hoetjes said the Kai Iwi Lakes were stocked in May, 2000 fish going into Lake Taharoa and another 300 into Lake Waikere.

Several large rainbow trout had been caught there in recent months, including a 4.32kg specimen - a record catch in the region - landed by Whangarei fisher Bruce Yorke this month.

The levels of the Kai Iwi Lakes fell in the early 2000s, but improvements, including the removal of exotic trees close to the water had improved the environment, providing habitat for native fish species and trout.

Access pamphlets and information on fishing Northland's lakes and reservoirs are available from Northland Fish & Game Office, in Nell Place, Whangarei, or check out www.northland.fishandgame.org.nz for more information.