Big boost for Lake Tutira trout numbers

Lake Tutira’s trout population has taken an upward leap – after a Hawkes Bay Fish & Game release of young trout.

On Wednesday (Sept 25, 2013) 2,750 trout were trucked from Fish & Game’s Rotorua hatchery for release into the lake as part of an annual stocking programme.

Fish & Game Regional Manager Pete McIntosh says there were 2,250 one year-old rainbows and another 500 brown trout of the same age.

Mr McIntosh says some “fantastic fish in great condition” have been caught this winter, the lake providing some consistent fishing opportunities when the region’s rivers have not been suitable to fish.

These trout are the result of liberations that would have taken place around two to three years ago. “The trout released on Wednesday will grow fast and be the prize catch of anglers in a couple of years’ time.”

This is one of two annual releases into the lake, with another carried out in June.

Mr McIntosh says that Tutira doesn’t have streams suitable for trout to spawn in, so although some natural reproduction takes place, the lake does need to be re-stocked.

The fish raised at Fish & Game's Rotorua hatchery in Ngongotaha are transported in a ‘live trout truck’ specially equipped to cart the fish long distance with their own oxygen supply.

Many of the fish are tagged and when they’re caught, anglers are asked to send the tag to Fish & Game with details on where the fish was caught, it’s length and how much it weighed.

Those who do so are entered in a draw to win their next year's licence, and the data gives Fish & Game information on trout growth rates of trout and helps with the management of the population.
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