Man caught illegally fishing with homemade spear

Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp shows the home-made spear a man was caught using to catch trout. Photo / Supplied

A fisherman has been caught fishing for trout using a homemade spear.

Fish & Game enforcement officers were called to investigate reports of illegal fishing in the Ohau Channel, in Bay of Plenty.

They found a man fishing in the upper Waiteti Stream with a crudely fashioned spear.

Eastern Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp says the weapon was seized without incident.

He said it was considered a serious matter, especially near a stream which had been closed to protect spawning trout.

It was one of three reports that rangers responded to last weekend across the Eastern Fish & Game Region, as people phoned in to report suspected poaching.

"The rules are in place to protect spawning trout and their habitat and it's pleasing to receive such calls from the public," Mr van Dorp said.

Over the spawning season Fish & Game officers have kept a close eye on spawning streams, which has included using the latest camouflaged 'poacher cams' hidden in the bush.