Mixed Bag for Summer Anglers on Rotorua Lakes

Unseasonal conditions on the Rotorua lakes have produced mixed fortunes for anglers.

Fish & Game’s Eastern Region staff say some good fish are being bagged by those willing to work at it – and try a variety of methods.

“Anglers need to think outside the box a little,” says Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn.

“It’s as if we’re a month ahead on the calendar, so methods like shallow trolling in the mornings and fishing for cruising fish around the weed beds is the way to go. Try the sort of locations and methods you would use in early autumn.”

The usual high summer water temperatures just haven’t happened, and with shorter days and cooler overnight temperatures, it doesn’t appear they will kick in, he says.

“Lake Rotorua, which often gets to well over 20 C, has remained in the mid 19’s for most of the summer. These temperatures are actually good for trout feeding and growth, but don’t necessarily produce great fishing.”

One pleasing trend however, is a lift in the condition of fish coming from Lake Rotorua, after a couple of years when they weren’t in good shape. Reports from the lake indicate that both boaties and shore-based fishers are seeing some gradual improvements. Some nice condition fish in the 1.0 to 1.5kg range have been caught at the mouths of the Awahou, Hamurana and Ngongotaha streams. And an annual summer competition turned up fish in better condition than compared to 2011.

Lake water temperatures also have an enormous influence on fish growth, and our officers have had reports of a number of genuine trophy trout caught in January, the latest a tagged 5.5kg rainbow hooked in Lake Okataina, Mr Sherburn says.

At Lake Tarawera, Fish & Game officers have carried out their first release for the year, dropping 1000 seven month-old fish into the lake. Another 500 were then freed into Lake Rotoiti at Ruato Bay. Fish & Game says the summer releases started some years ago amid some skepticism, as releases were historically carried out in spring and autumn.

ENDS

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