Warmer winter means trout are likely to be 'huge'

Rob Pitkethley (rear) says trout caught in Lake Rotoiti over winter were on average 1kg bigger than last year. Picture / Alan Gibson

Tall tales about the trout that got away could be fewer this year.

The trout fishing season begins today and Fish & Game New Zealand says anglers are likely to hook plenty of big ones after the warm winter.

Several thousand anglers are expected to converge on the Rotorua lakes, where 20 per cent of the country's trout are caught, and this year trout numbers and size are both well above average.

Fish & Game senior fisheries officer Rob Pitkethley said more than 2000 trout had been weighed and measured during winter in a trap used to gauge fish stocks in the lakes.

"There was a record number of fish recorded through the trap on Te Wairoa Stream, which is a good sign," he said.

In an average season 1300 to 1400 trout pass through the trap, which is also used to collect trout eggs for spawning at the Ngongotaha hatchery, which supplies the lakes.

Some years as few as 800 trout pass through the trap.

This year's trout are also expected to be big.

Mr Pitkethley said fish caught in Lake Rotoiti during winter had been on average 1kg heavier than last year and the biggest in eight years.

"This is a clear indication that some very large fish are going to be caught this year, possibly over 5kg, which is huge in anyone's language."

Most trout caught in the lakes weigh about 2kg.

Fish & Game regional manager Steve Smith said this year's trout had benefited from the mild winter, which provided optimum temperatures for growth. Trout thrive in water between 13C and 19C.