Trout about but fishers near end of line

Boat fishing in Lakes Rotoiti, Okataina and Tarawera will draw to a close at the end of June but there is plenty of action to be had for now. Photo / Supplied

Anglers are being urged to make the most of lake fishing in the Rotorua region, before three lakes close for the season at the end of June.

Rotoiti, Okataina and Tarawera will all close to boat fishing from July 1 until September 30. The angling season also ends in the Ohau Channel on Lake Rotorua and upper sections of the Ngongotaha, Waiteti and Utuhina streams at the end of June, while the Tarawera outlet has already closed for the season.

Fish and Game officers have had reports of 5kg fish in Lake Okataina last week and some decent catches in Lake Rotoiti, and a recent drift dive survey in the Lake Tarawera outlet indicated plenty of healthy trout.

Eastern Fish and Game officer Matthew Osborne said there were still plenty of opportunities for anglers keen to catch lunch, breakfast or dinner.

"We've had a lot more rain than in recent years and that's meant an earlier start to spawning.

"We're already seeing good fish numbers through our Te Wairoa fish trap on Tarawera and the drift dive last week also indicated the fish were starting to move upstream. Don't ignore the big lakes in the next two weeks, however - the next fortnight should continue to hold good fishing if you put in the time," Mr Osborne said.

Fish and game officers are also ramping up monitoring local streams and lakes during the spawning season, using high-visibility patrolling and sophisticated surveillance equipment.

Serious penalties await convicted trout poachers, seen in the recent prison sentence given to an Eastern Bay resident caught by Fish and Game officers and police last year.

"This should send a clear message to poachers that a feed of fish isn't worth going to jail for," Eastern Fish and Game compliance officer Anthony Van Dorp said. A toll-free number, 0800-poaching (762-244), can be used to call in sightings.