Great season for Rotorua anglers

Anglers have been enjoying some of the best fishing in years on lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti.

While there is concern about the quality of water in the lakes, Fish and Game's latest report on the fish being caught backs up claims by locals that trout in the lakes are in great condition.

Fish and Game fisheries officer Rob Pitkethley said it appeared the fishing had improved with the weather during the summer.

"The cold spring meant that the early season fishing was slower than usual. It has improved steadily since then with anglers experiencing the highest catch rates on Rotorua since 1997," he said.

The hot weather had increased the water temperature on Lake Rotorua, causing trout to head to the stream mouths.

"In one survey we watched 14 anglers catch 66 fish in only a few hours which shows how good it has been," Mr Pitkethley said.

The bulk of fish being caught on Lake Rotorua had been rainbow trout but there had also been some excellent brown trout caught, including some weighing more than 4kg, he said.

There were also good reports coming from people fishing Lake Rotoiti, defying predictions of doom and gloom as it produced some of the best fishing there in years, said Mr Pitkethley.

- NZPA