New Trout Season Underway!

For keen trout anglers, Opening Day is like Christmas and a birthday rolled into one. With the new season underway, early reports from the Eastern Fish & Game Region are encouraging, with good fish condition and plenty of options across the Rotorua lakes.

by Fish and Game NZ

Reports from Opening Day were positive, with plenty of happy anglers and family groups making the most of the start of another trout season.

Looking ahead through spring and into early summer, conditions should provide plenty of opportunities to get on the water. Although El Niño conditions are looming for the Bay of Plenty, October and December winds should generally be moderate, and the lakes are almost always very fishable early in the morning before the afternoon breeze develops.

Even then, with 13 lakes available across the region, finding somewhere sheltered usually isn't difficult.

As always, anglers should check the latest MetService forecast before heading out.

The really encouraging news is the condition of the fish. At the end of last season, both size and condition were among some of the best seen in recent years.

Tarawera and Rotoiti remain the most popular destinations around Opening Day, followed closely by Okataina. Lake Tarawera is coming off an excellent season and expectations are high for another productive year.

As summer approaches, a thermocline will begin developing — generally around December — and this is often when the fishing really starts to heat up.

What can anglers expect?

Early-season catches will typically include hatchery-liberated two-year-old trout. These fish are generally fat and silvery, with deep orange flesh making them ideal for the smoker.

Anglers may also encounter longer, leaner three-year-old fish still recovering from spawning over winter. Give these fish another few months and their condition should improve considerably.

Smaller, well-conditioned 1+ year-old fish may also turn up during October and November. These young trout demonstrate just how impressive growth rates can be in the Rotorua lakes, with many already exceeding the 35cm minimum length despite having spent only a few months in the lake.

Early Season Tips

If you're heading to Tarawera, Rotoiti or Okataina, it's worth having a plan before leaving home.

An early start is advisable, although it isn't always essential — particularly if you've got family aboard who don't share your enthusiasm for the dawn chorus! Sometimes the bite doesn't really get going until there is some sun on the water.

Being prepared to change fishing methods can make a big difference.

Shallow trolling is a good place to start, using straight mono rigs with a Tassie, smelt fly or Tassie attractor. As the sun gets higher and boat traffic increases, anglers can move deeper using lead-line trolling, downrigging, jigging or softbaiting.

Calm early mornings often provide ideal jigging conditions. One approach is to jig while there is little wind, then change to trolling as the breeze develops.

Whatever method you choose, don't be afraid to change your approach until you find the fish.

Keep an eye on what neighbouring boats are doing and pay attention to where fish are showing on your sounder. Good electronics can be a major advantage, particularly when fish move deeper.

And if the crowds on Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina aren't your thing, there are another six or seven lakes around Rotorua offering worthwhile fishing.

Lake Rotorua, for example, has recently been producing excellent catch rates along with fish in very good size and condition. Its sighted brown trout shore fishery is also underway and should continue improving as the lake warms.

Surveys and Licence Checks

Fish & Game staff will be on lakes and at boat ramps carrying out surveys during the season.

Staff may ask to view, weigh and measure your catch, along with questions about how long you've been fishing and which methods you've used. This information helps Fish & Game manage the fishery.

Anglers may also be asked to show their fishing licence, so make sure you have it handy.

GET YOUR NEW-SEASON LICENCE

New-season licences are now available, with a range of options including Whole Season, Senior and Local Area licences.

Choosing the right licence can provide excellent value. A Whole Season Adult Licence, for example, can work out at well under 50 cents per day.

CHECK, CLEAN, DRY

The start of a new season is also a timely reminder to Check, Clean and Dry fishing gear when moving between waterways.

Freshwater pests can easily hitch a ride on wet equipment and pose a serious threat to waterways. Follow Check, Clean, Dry procedures between fishing trips and any instructions provided by regional councils and MPI.

OKATAINA GATE ACCESS

Biosecurity conditions around Lake Okataina require boaties to wash their vessel and trailer before entering the lake.

This can be completed at The Wash Place, 338 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua. Once completed, you'll receive a text containing two four-digit PIN codes — one to enter the lake and another to exit.

NEW MAPPING – FIND YOUR SPOT

Fish & Game's updated mapping system provides anglers with easier access to information about fishing locations throughout the region.

GET INVOLVED

Datawatch Tagged Trout: Tagged trout can now be entered online, with entries going into the draw to win one of 10 Whole Season fishing licences.

Eastern Region Fishing Diaries:
Anglers can also contribute fishing diary information to help manage the Eastern Fish & Game Region. Participants go into the draw to win a $100 Kilwell voucher.

Find out more: fishandgame.org.nz

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