Fish for gold as the lake season opens

The new trout fishing season has opened.

The new trout season, which got underway at the weekend gives anglers have the opportunity to win some big prizes if they hook the right fish.

Anglers can fish for prizes with a combined value of over $11,000 during the Fish & Game Fish for Gold promotion.

To win a major prize of $10,000 or an outboard motor, anglers need to target trout with special pink numbered tags.

The major fishing promotion runs for eight days until Sunday 8 October 2017.

Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says Fish for Gold captures the public's imagination.

"It was all about what you might call delicious anticipation - every fish landed had anglers peering into the net to see if it has a tag, wondering 'will this fish be a winner?'".

Fish & Game staff have released 30 rainbow trout with specially numbered pink coloured tags - 10 into each of lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina for the promotion. Numbers on the tags correspond to prizes contained in sealed and numbered envelopes and one of them contains the grand prize of $10,000, and another an outboard motor valued at $949.

The other envelopes each contain a $200 tackle or voucher prize, so every eligible angler who returns with a pink tag fish will be a winner.

"It's a great incentive for families to get out on the water, catch a fish and maybe win big." Mark says that the promotion allows Fish & Game tocontribute to Rotorua's tourism.

"Fish for Gold adds to the thrill and excitement that fishing offers, which is appropriate for an adventure city like Rotorua. We are hopefully helping to attract more visitors who will be spending on accommodation, various other outdoor activities, fishing stores and more."

More information at www.fishandgame.org.nz/fish-for-gold